**Executive Summary**
India Post is conducting the UPU International Letter Writing Competition for Young People 2026 to promote creativity and critical thinking. The competition is organized across India through Postal Circles. Schools must send selected entries to Postal Circles by March 20, 2026, and Circles must forward the best three to the Directorate by March 31, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Competition Overview:**
* Annual global initiative by the Universal Postal Union (UPU).
* Theme for 2026: “Write a letter to a friend about why human connection matters in a digital world."
* **Eligibility and Guidelines:**
* Age Group: 9 to 15 years.
* Form: Handwritten letter.
* Language: English or any language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
* Participants: Students of recognized schools/institutions.
* **Competition Process:**
* Schools organize internal competitions and send selected entries to Postal Circles by March 20, 2026.
* Circles evaluate entries and forward the best three to the Directorate by March 31, 2026.
* India Post promotes participation, collects entries, evaluates them at Circle and National levels, and awards prizes.
* **Prizes:**
* Circle Level: First Prize (₹25,000 and Certificate), Second Prize (₹10,000 and Certificate), Third Prize (₹5,000 and Certificate).
* National Level: First Prize (₹50,000 and Certificate), Second Prize (₹25,000 and Certificate), Third Prize (₹10,000 and Certificate).
* Best National entry represents India at international level; UPU will award medals.
* The Gold Medalist might also receive a visit to UPU Headquarters.
* **Mandatory Entry Details (on the first page, in English and Hindi):**
* Passport size photograph of the candidate
* Candidate's name
* Date of Birth
* Gender
* Father's/Guardian's name
* Name and full address of the School/Institution
* Full postal address
* **Contact Information:**
* Students, parents, and schools can contact their Chief Postmaster General/Postmaster General/Director Postal Services/Nodal Officer for further details.
* Additional information is available on the Department of Posts website: www.indiapost.gov.in
**Impact Analysis**
**Schools**
* **Impact:** Responsible for organizing internal competitions.
* **Action Required:** Send selected entries to their respective Postal Circles by March 20, 2026.
**Postal Circles**
* **Impact:** Responsible for evaluating entries and forwarding the best three.
* **Action Required:** Forward the best three entries to the Directorate by March 31, 2026.
**Students (Ages 9-15)**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to participate in a global competition.
* **Action Required:** Prepare and submit handwritten letters according to the guidelines and theme.
Key Entities Referenced
Universal Postal Union (UPU): An international organization that is the primary organizer of the UPU International Letter Writing Competition.
India Post: The postal service of India, responsible for conducting the UPU International Letter Writing Competition within India.
UPU International Letter Writing Competition: An annual writing competition for young people organized by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to promote literacy and letter writing.
Postal Circles: Regional divisions within India Post, coordinating the UPU International Letter Writing Competition at the local level.
Constitution of India: The Eighth Schedule is referenced for the accepted languages for the competition.
Ministry of Communications
India Post Invites Young Minds to Participate in
UPU International Letter Writing Competition
2026
प्रव तथ: 15 JAN 2026 5:33PM by PIB Delhi
India Post is set to conduct the UPU International Letter Writing Competition for Young People in an
annual global initiative of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to promote creativity, critical thinking, and
the art of letter writing amongst school students.
The theme for 2026 is: “Write a letter to a friend about why human connection matters in a digital
world.”
The competition is organized across India through all Postal Circles, in coordination with schools and
educational institutions. India Post promotes participation, collects entries, evaluates them at Circle and
National levels, and awards prizes—generally on World Post Day (9 October). The best national entry
will represent India at the international level, where UPU will award medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze),
certificates, and other prizes. The Gold Medalist might also receive a visit to UPU Headquarters, Bern,
Switzerland, or an alternative prize.
Eligibility and Guidelines
Age Group: 9 to 15 years
Form: Handwritten letter
Language: English or any language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India
Participants: Students of recognized schools/institutions
Schools are requested to organize the competition internally and send the selected entries to their
respective Postal Circles by 20 March 2026. Circles will evaluate entries and forward the best three to
the Directorate by 31 March 2026.
Prizes
Circle Level:
First Prize: ₹25,000 and Certificate
Second Prize: ₹10,000 and Certificate
Third Prize: ₹5,000 and Certificate
National Level:
First Prize: ₹50,000 and Certificate
Second Prize: ₹25,000 and Certificate
Third Prize: ₹10,000 and Certificate
Mandatory Entry Details
Each entry must include the following on the first page, in English and Hindi:1. Passport size photograph of the candidate
2. Candidate’s name
3. Date of Birth
4. Gender
5. Father’s/Guardian’s name
6. Name and full address of the School/Institution
7. Full postal address
Students, parents, and schools may contact their Chief Postmaster General/Postmaster
General/Director Postal Services/Nodal Officer for further details. Additional information is available
on the website of Department of Posts: www.indiapost.gov.in
***
MI/ARJ
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