Collecting postage stamps is now a route to a scholarship for school students. The Central Government’s Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, short for Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude and Research in Stamps as a Hobby, gives students in Classes 6 to 9 a scholarship of ₹6,000 a year. The scheme is run by the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, and has been in force since 2017-18. Its aim is to build interest in stamp collecting and research among children. Students in Haryana can also apply through their postal circle.
How much money is given
Selected students get a total of ₹6,000 in a year, paid at the rate of ₹500 a month in quarterly instalments. The scholarship is given for one year.
- Total scholarship: ₹6,000 per year (₹500 per month)
- Payment: ₹1,500 every quarter
- Duration: one academic year
- Per postal circle: up to 40 scholarships (10 each in Classes 6, 7, 8 and 9)
- A student selected in Class 6 can apply again in later classes
Who can apply
The eligibility conditions are as follows.
- Students of Classes 6 to 9, studying in a recognised school
- At least 60 percent marks in the recent final examination
- A philately deposit account in a post office or membership of the school philately club
- Selection is based on a circle-level written quiz and a philately project
- The written quiz has 50 multiple choice questions
- The philately project is 4 to 5 pages long and shows the student’s own interest
How to apply
Applications are sent in the prescribed form to the concerned postal circle. The student has to take the form from the school, fill it and get it verified by the school principal, and then submit it to the postal circle office. The application should be accompanied by the mark sheet of the recent examination, details of the philately deposit account or proof of philately club membership, and a certificate from the school. For the 2026-27 cycle, the Standard Operating Procedure was issued on 31 July 2026 and the last dates of various circles fell in September 2026, such as 10 September in Gujarat, 11 September in Odisha, 16 September in Andhra Pradesh and 30 September in Karnataka. The written quiz was held on 27 September 2026 and the results will be declared on 1 December 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much scholarship is given under the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana? A: ₹6,000 per year, paid at ₹500 a month in quarterly instalments of ₹1,500. Q2: Who can apply for this scholarship? A: Students of Classes 6 to 9 who scored 60 percent marks in the recent examination and have a philately deposit account or membership of the school philately club. Q3: What was the last date for 2026-27? A: The last dates varied by circle in September 2026, such as 10 September in Gujarat and 30 September in Karnataka. Results will come on 1 December 2026. Q4: How is selection done? A: Through a circle-level written quiz with 50 multiple choice questions and a philately project of 4 to 5 pages. 40 students are selected per circle.
Useful links
- Scheme details on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/ddsy
- Department of Posts website: https://www.indiapost.gov.in
- Also see — CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-cbse-single-girl-child-scholarship-haryana/
- Complete list of all 726 Central Government schemes: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
