Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav · National Level Competition 2026–27
Dhai Akhar Letter
Writing Competition
"A Letter to Mother Earth: My Promise to Protect Nature"
India Post invites citizens of every age to pick up a pen, not a keyboard, and write a handwritten letter on this year's environmental theme — addressed to the Chief Postmaster General of their circle.
The Idea Behind the Name
Why "Dhai Akhar"?
The competition takes its name from the 15th-century mystic-poet Sant Kabir, who wrote that all the learning in the world's books cannot outweigh the wisdom held in the "dhai akhar" — the two-and-a-half letters — that spell prem, or love.
"Pothi padh padh jag mua, pandit bhaya na koye,
Dhai akhar prem ka, padhe so pandit hoye." — Sant Kabir
Borrowing that image, the Department of Posts uses the campaign to pull people back toward the unhurried, personal act of handwriting a letter, at a time when most communication has moved to screens. Beyond nostalgia, it is also a deliberate push to reconnect the public, especially students, with India Post's postal and philatelic services.
2026–27 Theme
A Letter to Mother Earth
This year's subject asks writers to address the planet directly — as a correspondent, not an abstraction — and to set down a personal, concrete promise toward protecting it. The theme gives the competition an environmental focus, encouraging participants to reflect on climate, conservation, and their own everyday responsibility toward nature, and to put that reflection into a sincere, handwritten letter.
Who Can Enter
Eligibility & Categories
Entry is open to everyone, split into two age brackets, each with two format categories — four categories in total, judged and prized separately.
Young Writers
- Inland Letter Category
- Envelope (Cover) Category
Adult Writers
- Inland Letter Category
- Envelope (Cover) Category
Age declaration required — every entry must carry a self-certified line on the letter itself: "I certify that I am below/above the age of 18 as on 01.01.2026."
Format & Rules
How the Letter Must Be Written
- Handwritten only — typed, printed, or digitally composed entries are not accepted.
- Word limit: up to 1000 words on plain A4-size paper, or up to 500 words on an Inland Letter Card (ILC).
- Language: English, Hindi, or Gujarati (language options follow the local circle's notification).
- Stationery: an embossed envelope, or an ordinary envelope with postage stamp affixed, for A4 letters; or a standard Inland Letter Card.
- Addressed to: the Chief Postmaster General of the participant's postal circle.
- Posting window: letters must be posted between 01 August and 31 October 2026 — anything postmarked later is disqualified.
What's at Stake
Prize Structure
Every one of the four categories is judged — and rewarded — at two stages: first within the postal circle, and then again among circle winners at the national level.
| Prize | Circle Level | National Level |
|---|---|---|
| First Prize | ₹25,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Second Prize | ₹10,000 | ₹25,000 |
| Third Prize | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
Key Dates
Competition Timeline
Competition opens
Entries can be written and posted from this date onward.
Last date to post
Final deadline for postmarking entries; late postings are not accepted.
Circle-level judging
Each postal circle shortlists and rewards its own First, Second, and Third prize winners.
National-level judging
Circle winners are forwarded for the national round, where the top national prizes are decided.
Getting Started
Where to Reach Out
For entry guidelines, the exact circle address, and stationery, participants can approach their nearest Post Office, Divisional Office, Regional Office, or Circle Office. Schools and colleges are also welcome to coordinate participation for groups of students.
For Student Writers
Notes on Writing a Strong Entry
Write to a "someone," not a subject
Address Mother Earth as a real listener. A letter that speaks to a person reads more sincerely than one that lectures on a topic.
Make the promise specific
"I promise to protect nature" says little. Naming one concrete, personal action gives the letter something to remember.
Mind the word limit before you start
Plan the letter's shape first — ILC writers have 500 words to work with, A4 writers 1000 — so the ending isn't rushed.
Draft first, then hand-copy
Since only handwritten entries qualify, write a rough draft, revise it, and copy the final version out neatly.
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