Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojanais a scholarship scheme of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, introduced to encourage school students to take up Philately (stamp collecting and study)as a hobby. The scheme is meant for students studying in Classes VI to IX who have a good academic record and an interest in Philately.

Under the scheme, 920 scholarships are proposed at the pan-India level. Each Postal Circle can award a maximum of 40 scholarships, with up to 10 students selected from each of Classes VI, VII, VIII and IX. Selected students receive a scholarship of ₹6,000 per year, paid quarterly at ₹1,500 per quarter.

The scheme aims to promote Philately among children at a young ageand use stamp collecting as a meaningful learning activity that can reinforce and supplement the academic curriculum. Through Philately, students can explore different themes and subjects while developing an interest in collection, research and organized learning. The scheme also provides guidance through Philately Mentors, who can help participating schools establish Philately Clubs and guide students in pursuing the hobby and preparing their Philately Projects.

To qualify, students must be regular students of Classes VI to IXin a recognized school in India, have the required academic record, and generally be members of their School Philately Club. Where a school does not have a Philately Club, a student with their own Philately Deposit Accountmay also be considered. The scheme also provides a 5% relaxation in the academic requirement for SC/ST students.

Selection is carried out through the Philately Quizand evaluation of the Philately Projectby a committee at the Postal Circle level comprising Postal officials and renowned Philatelists. The scholarship is awarded for one year, and a previously selected student may apply again in the following year if the applicable eligibility conditions are fulfilled.

Scheme Benefits

• Each selected student receives a scholarship of ₹6,000 per year.
• The scholarship is paid at the rate of ₹1,500 per quarterfor one year.
• The scheme provides scholarships to eligible regular students studying in Classes VI, VII, VIII and IX.
• Each Postal Circle provides a maximum of 40 scholarships, with up to 10 students selected from each of Classes VI, VII, VIII and IX.
• The scheme encourages students to develop stamp collection, study and research as a hobby.
• Philately helps students gain knowledge about history, geography, science, culture, famous personalities, monuments, flora and fauna and other subjects.
• Collecting, cataloguing and studying stamps encourages students to organize information and undertake research.
• The scheme encourages schools to establish and promote Philately Clubs for students.

What is Philately?

• Philately is the study of stamps, postal history and other related items. It includes the collection, appreciation and research of stamps and other philatelic products.
• Stamp collecting can involve finding, acquiring, organizing, cataloguing, displaying, storing and maintaining stamps. According to the Department of Posts, stamps can provide information about different aspects of society, history, geography, science, culture, personalities and other subjects.
• Therefore, Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana uses Philately as a way to encourage students to learn beyond their regular classroom curriculum while developing an interest in research and collection.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be a student of Class VI, VII, VIII or IX.
• The student must be studying in a recognized school in India.
• The student should have a good academic record.
• The student must have secured at least 60% marks or equivalent grade/grade pointin the recent final examination at the time of selection for the scholarship.
• SC/ST students receive a 5% relaxationin the academic requirement.
• The student should be a member of the School Philately Club.
• If the school does not have a Philately Club, a student having their own Philately Deposit Account (PDA)may also be considered.
• The requirement of Philately Club membership or a Philately Deposit Account is considered with reference to the date of application, and the relevant details must be mentioned in the application form.

Number of Scholarships

Each Postal Circle provides a maximum of 40 scholarshipsunder the scheme.

Selection Process

Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana follows a two-level selection processfor selecting scholarship awardees.

Level 1 – Philately Written Quiz

The first level is a written Philately Quiz conducted as a screening test by the concerned Postal Circle/region.

Under the scheme guidelines, the quiz consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. Each question carries one mark and there is no negative marking.

The written quiz is used for screening candidates for the next stage. The scheme guidelines provide for approximately four times the number of candidates required for the available scholarships to be shortlisted at this stage.

Level 2 – Philately Project

Students shortlisted through the Philately Written Quiz have to submit a Philately Projectfor final selection.

• The concerned Postal Circle provides the list of project topics and broad project guidelines.
• Students selected through the quiz can choose a topic from the list provided by the Circle.
• The project should generally be 4 to 5 pages.
• The project may contain a maximum of 16 stamps or stamp images.
• The scheme guidelines specify a maximum of 500 wordsfor the project.
• The project must contain the student's original creative work on the Philately subject.

Important Note: The Philately Quiz is only a screening test. Its marks are not counted in the final selection, which is based solely on the Philately Project. Up to 40 students are selected per Postal Circle, with 10 students each from Classes VI to IX.

Required Documents

The exact documents and submission requirements may be specified by the concerned Postal Circle in its notification. Students should keep the following information/documents ready as applicable:

• Completed Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana application form
• Recent passport-size photographs
• School details
• Class details
• Recent final examination marks/grade details
• School Philately Club membership details and membership number, if applicable
• Philately Deposit Account (PDA) details, if applicable
• Student's residential address
• Mobile number and email ID
• School verification/attestation wherever required
• School ID card and academic result, wherever required for the project-stage submission

Students should check the latest notification issued by their concerned Postal Circle before submitting the application because application formats, deadlines and submission instructions may vary by Circle.

Steps to Apply

The application process is conducted according to the notification issued by the concerned Postal Circle/Postal Division.

1. Visit the official India Post website and check the latest Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana notification for your Postal Circle.
2. Download or obtain the application form prescribed by the concerned Postal Circle.
3. Check your eligibility, including Class VI to IX, recognized school, academic marks and Philately Club/PDA requirement.
4. Fill in the application form carefully with the required student, school and Philately details.
5. Attach the required photograph and other documents/details specified in the current Circle notification.
6. Get the application verified or attested by the school authority wherever required.
7. Submit the completed application to the office specified by the concerned Postal Circle/Postal Division within the notified deadline.
8. Appear for the Philately Written Quiz on the date and at the venue notified by the concerned Postal Circle.
9. If shortlisted in Level 1, prepare and submit the Philately Project according to the topic, format and deadline communicated by the Circle.
10. Students selected for the scholarship must complete the prescribed account formalities for receiving the scholarship.

Application Process After Submission

• After receiving the applications, the concerned Postal Circle verifies the eligibility and conducts the Philately Quiz.
• Shortlisted students then submit their Philately Project, which is evaluated by the Circle-level committee.
• Finally, the selected students' details are sent to IPPB/POSB for scholarship payment.

Terms and Conditions

• The scholarship is awarded for a period of one year.
• A student who has already received the scholarship may apply again in a subsequent year if all applicable eligibility conditions are fulfilled.
• The awardee must maintain good conduct during the scholarship period.
• The awardee must continue studies as a regular student.
• The student must continue to maintain the Philately Club membership or Philately Deposit Account, as applicable, during the scholarship-awarding period.
• The scholarship may be revoked by the competent authority if irregularities are found in the eligibility or other prescribed conditions.
• The final selection is based on the Philately Project after candidates are screened through the written quiz.
• The application and project must follow the instructions and deadlines issued by the concerned Postal Circle.

Relevant Links

• India Post Official Website
• Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana Details in The Website
• Press Information Bureau – Government of India
• Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana Application Form
• Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana Brochure

Contact Information

For application dates, application forms, submission addresses, quiz schedules and other Circle-specific information, students should contact the Senior Superintendent of Post Offices/Superintendent of Post Offices of the concerned Postal Divisionor the concerned Postal Circle.

• India Post Helpline: 1800 266 6868