The Department of Posts (DoP) has invited artists for India Post empanelment under Request for Empanelment (RFE) No. P-26/1/2022-Phil-DOP. The RFE is dated 22 October 2026 and appears on indiapost.gov.in. It aims to enlarge the pool of artists who design postage stamps and other philatelic items. Artists living in Delhi and adjoining areas can apply, and the last date is 11 November 2026.
Empanelled artists will design Commemorative Postage Stamps, Customised My Stamp and other philatelic items. Applications go in a sealed cover to the office of AD (Philately) at Dak Bhawan, New Delhi. The notice sits with other central government jobs on the site. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official Department of Posts RFE No. P-26/1/2022-Phil-DOP dated 22 October 2026. Last verified: 22 October 2026.
The Department of Posts is running the India Post empanelment of artists for designing postage stamps and other philatelic items. The last date to apply is 11 November 2026, 15.30 Hrs. Artists living in Delhi and adjoining areas must submit signed documents in a sealed cover at Dak Bhawan. The cover must hold Annexure 1 and Annexure 2. An expert committee scores each application and holds an interview.
Quick Summary of India Post Empanelment 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications |
| RFE number | P-26/1/2022-Phil-DOP |
| RFE date | 22 October 2026 |
| Purpose | Empanelment of artists for stamp and philatelic design |
| Who can apply | Artists residing in Delhi and adjoining areas |
| Application mode | Sealed cover, delivered to AD (Philately) |
| Selection | Expert committee scoring and interview |
| Pass mark | More than 60 out of 100 |
| Validity | 2 years, extendable by another 2 years |
| Last date | 11 November 2026, 15.30 Hrs |
Important dates
The India Post empanelment has one fixed deadline and a set term.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| RFE dated | 22 October 2026 |
| Last date to submit | 11 November 2026, 15.30 Hrs |
| Empanelment validity | 2 years, extendable by another 2 years |
| Office hours for queries | 0900 to 1730 Hrs |
The 15.30 Hrs cut-off falls before office hours end at 1730 Hrs.
Also Read: FSL Delhi Internship 2026 – 75 Seats, Stipend ₹30,000
Scope of work
Under the India Post empanelment, artists receive design work on these products:
- Commemorative Postage Stamps (CPS)
- Customised My Stamp
- Special Covers and First Day Covers
- Information Brochure
- Cancellation Cachet
- Miniature sheets
- Maxim Cards
- Any other philatelic item
Details of these products are on postagestamps.gov.in. Each job covers research on the subject, preparing the design, changes to the design and the final artwork. Procuring relevant pictures is optional.
Completion time is two to three weeks from the date the work is awarded. In exceptional cases, the artist may have to share the artwork within two to three days.
Artists must be available for digital consultation case by case. They must also travel to the Postal Directorate in New Delhi for discussions. Each artist must own the hardware, software and art tools needed for the designs.
The Department may end the empanelment if an artist delays work without justification or fails to complete it.
Eligibility for the empanelment of artists
Artists must reside in Delhi and adjoining areas. The RFE then sets the following qualifications for the India Post empanelment.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or Applied Arts from a recognised university or institute, or teaching experience in arts for at least two years. A certificate of experience must go with the application.
- One year of practical experience as an artist in an advertising or corporate firm, or as a freelancer. The work must include layouts of pamphlets, posters and maps, and freehand lettering in English and Hindi.
- Skill in design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, CorelDRAW and CAD (Computer Aided Design), by self-certification.
- No blacklisting by the DoP or any other government department in the last three years, by self-certification.
- A letter of recommendation from the head of an institution, the head of an organisation or an eminent artist.
Desirable qualifications
- Experience and skill in at least two types of hand painting, such as oil, acrylic, water colour or pastel.
- Artistic creations that add to the field of art and creativity. The five best works are to be shared.
- National and international recognition received in the last five years.
- Knowledge of the latest printing technology.
Selection process
A committee of experts and officers evaluates every eligible entry on six parameters.
| Parameter | Marks |
|---|---|
| Educational qualification and work experience | 20 |
| Artistic value of past work | 20 |
| Knowledge and skill in design software | 20 |
| Interview | 20 |
| Awards or recognition | 10 |
| Letter of recommendation | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Artists who score more than 60 marks are fit for the India Post empanelment. The DoP can change the selection process or criteria at its discretion, at any stage, without informing applicants.
Also Read: IGNOU Non-Teaching Recruitment 2026 – 14 Posts, New Delhi
Payment rates for stamp and philatelic designs
Fee rates under the India Post empanelment are fixed per artwork. Each artwork earns a commissioning fee and an adoption fee at the Department’s approved rates.
| Item | Commissioning fee | Adoption fee |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp | ₹6,900 | ₹26,250 |
| First Day Cover | ₹1,650 | ₹3,937.50 |
| Brochure | ₹1,650 | ₹3,937.50 |
| Miniature Sheet | ₹3,000 | ₹11,250 |
| Sheetlet | ₹3,000 | ₹11,250 |
| Maxim Card | ₹1,730 | ₹6,562.50 |
| Presentation Folder | ₹1,730 | ₹6,562.50 |
| Poster | ₹1,730 | ₹6,562.50 |
| Exhibition layout and exhibits (one frame) | ₹2,500 | ₹7,700 |
| Calendar | ₹2,500 | ₹7,700 |
| Diaries and Booklet | ₹2,500 | ₹7,700 |
| My Stamp | ₹6,900 | ₹26,250 |
The Department can change these rates, and a change applies to the current contract as well. Payment for each completed job is made within one month of submitting the bill, after the issue is released, where applicable. The competent authority must be satisfied with the job first.
For deficiency of service, such as design quality or timeline, the DoP can cut up to 25% of the payment due. The Department’s decision is final in any dispute during the contract period.
Also Read: Haryana Food Safety Officer 2026 – 45 Posts, Last Date 28 Oct
How to apply
Applications for the India Post empanelment go on paper, in a sealed cover.
- Collect all documents listed under Required qualifications.
- Fill in Annexure 1 (Information Form) and Annexure 2 (Undertaking).
- Sign every document, including both annexures.
- Put everything in one sealed cover.
- Deliver the cover to AD (Philately), Room No. 108 M, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001, so it reaches by 15.30 Hrs on 11 November 2026.
Annexure 1 asks for these details:
- Name, postal address, email, phone number and date of birth
- Self-attested copies of qualifications and experience documents, with the number of works published and years of experience
- Design software knowledge, with self-attested proof, degree or diploma
- Details and images of five best artworks, plus one stamp design on the topic “Flora and Fauna of India”
- National or international awards and recognition received
In Annexure 2, the artist agrees to the RFE terms and confirms the information is correct. False information leads to rejection. The artist also certifies no anti-national or anti-government activity in physical or digital space. The artist confirms no blacklisting by any Central Government ministry or department in the last three years. The artist also accepts the professional code of conduct.
The DoP can reject any or all applications, reject conditional applications, extend dates, and ask for more details, without giving reasons.
Queries about the design work go to Mr. Rahul Dabas, Inspector of Posts (Philately), Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi 110001, during 0900 to 1730 Hrs. Email: mystampindiapost1@gmail.com.
Documents to keep ready
- Annexure 1 and Annexure 2, both signed
- Self-attested copies of qualifications
- Teaching experience certificate, if applying on that basis
- Self-attested experience documents
- Self-certification on design software skills and on no blacklisting
- Letter of recommendation
- Images and details of five best artworks and one “Flora and Fauna of India” stamp design
- Proof of national or international awards or recognition
Important Links
| Details | Link |
|---|---|
| India Post RFE for empanelment of artists | Download RFE notification PDF |
| Philatelic products and stamp details | Visit official philately site postagestamps.gov.in |
Should you apply?
The India Post empanelment suits artists in Delhi and nearby areas who already design layouts, posters or maps and can letter by hand in English and Hindi. A Fine Arts or Applied Arts degree helps, and two years of teaching experience in arts also meets the education rule.
Pay comes as fees per artwork, not as a monthly salary. Earnings depend on how much work the Department allots. Deadlines can be as short as two to three days. The Department can cut up to 25% of the payment for deficient work.
Artists who want steady monthly income may find this unsuitable and can check current job openings across India. Artists who want to design national stamps and can attend meetings at Dak Bhawan have a clear route here. Artistic value alone is worth 20 marks, so the five best works and the Flora and Fauna stamp design matter most.
Also Read: ISRO SDSC SHAR Recruitment 2026 – 97 Posts | Apply Online
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for India Post empanelment 2026?
The last date is 11 November 2026. Applications must reach AD (Philately), Room No. 108 M, Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg, New Delhi, by 15.30 Hrs. The RFE asks for a sealed cover with signed documents, Annexure 1 and Annexure 2.
Who can apply for the Department of Posts artist empanelment?
Artists residing in Delhi and adjoining areas can apply for the India Post empanelment. They need a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or Applied Arts, or two years of arts teaching experience. They also need one year of practical design experience and a letter of recommendation.
How much does India Post pay for a stamp design?
The current approved rates for one stamp are a commissioning fee of ₹6,900 and an adoption fee of ₹26,250. My Stamp carries the same rates. The Department can change these rates, and any change applies to the current contract.
How long is the empanelment valid?
The empanelment is valid for two years and can be extended by another two years. Under the India Post empanelment, fees are paid per artwork that the Department allots, so income depends on the work given.
Written and verified by
Sandeep Khati
Founder and Editor, India Job Alerts
B.Tech in Computer Science from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College (2010). Former Systems Engineer at TCS and in digital publishing since 2011. He started India Job Alerts in April 2025 to publish verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim and the rest of India. Every post is checked against the official notification before it goes live. Also writes about the Darjeeling hills at SearchDarjeeling.