Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana intends to increase the reach of Philately. Under the scheme of SPARSH (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby), it is proposed to award annual scholarships to children of Standard VI to IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as a hobby through a competitive selection process in all postal circles. 

Philately is the collection and study of Postage stamps. It also entails the collection, appreciation and research activities on stamps and other related philatelic products. The hobby of collecting Stamps includes seeking, locating, acquiring, organizing, cataloguing, displaying, storing, and maintaining the stamps or related products on thematic areas. 

Details about the scheme is provided below.

• The amount of Scholarship is to be Rs. 6000/- per annum @ Rs. 500/- per month.

• Selections to the scholarship would be for one year. No bar on already selected student applying for the scholarship for the next year provided he/she fulfills other criteria.

• Every school which participates in the competition would be assigned a Philately Mentor to be chosen from amongst renowned Philatelists.

• Philately Mentor would help in formation of School level Philately Club, provide guidance to aspiring philatelists on how to pursue the hobby, help them with their Philately Projects etc.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidate must be a student of a recognized School in India

• Concerned School should have a Philately Club and the candidate should be a member of the Club,

• In case School Philately Club hasn’t been established, a student having his own Philately Deposit Account to be considered.

• The candidate must have a good academic record. At the time of selection for award of scholarship the candidate should have scored at least 60% marks or equivalent grade/grade point in the recent final examination

• There will be 5% relaxation for students belonging to SC/ST categories.

Selection Process

• Under Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana Selection Process will consist of two levels (Level 1 - Philately Written Quiz & Level 2 - Philately Project).

• The Philately Written Quiz will be a screening test for Philately Project.

• Students selected in the Philately Written Quiz will have to submit a Philately Project and final selection would be made based on the evaluation of the Project.

• A committee constituted at the circle level consisting of postal offices and renowned philatelists would evaluate the Project work on Philately submitted by the candidates.

Disbursement of Scholarships

• Awardees have to open Saving account in India Post Payment Bank or Post Office Savings Bank in a branch which has core banking facility

Application Form

Deen Dayal Sparsh Yojana Application Form