Overview of the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana

- The Government of India has introduced the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, a nationwide scholarship scheme for school students.

- The acronym SPARSH stands for 'Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby,' indicating that the scheme aims to promote philately, the collection and study of postage stamps.

- This program targets students from Standard VI to IX who have a good academic record and are actively engaged in philately as an interest.

Objective and Expectations from the SPARSH Scheme 

- Central goal of the SPARSH Yojana is to expand the reach of philately, implying that the program seeks to encourage more students to take up stamp collection as a hobby.

- The scheme plans to foster a competitive environment, assigning scholarships through a selection process encompassing all postal circles in India.

Criteria for Scholarship Eligibility

- To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must be enrolled in a recognized school in India and belong to a Philately Club in the school.

- If a school has not yet formed a Philately Club, then a student possessing their own Philately Deposit Account may be considered.

Role of Philately Mentors in SPARSH Yojana

- As per the scheme, prospective schools participating in the competition would be matched with a Philately mentor, chosen from among the renowned Philatelists.

- The mentors would be instrumental in forming the School level Philately Club, guiding young aspiring Philatelists in their pursuit of the hobby, and providing assistance with Philately Projects.

Selection Procedure for SPARSH Yojana

- The selection of scholarship recipients under the SPARSH Yojana is based on an evaluation of Philately Project work and performance in a Philately Quiz conducted by the Circles.

- This rigorous selection procedure emphasises the project’s aim to not only increase interest in Philately but also foster original research and in-depth study in the field.

General Knowledge Part:

- Philately is not just stamp collection, but a more inclusive study of postal stamps, stamped envelopes, postal stationery, postmarks, and related items.

- Philately has a rich history, being one of the oldest hobbies in the world. The first postage stamp, the "Penny Black," was issued in Britain in 1840, marking the beginning of an era for stamp collection.

- This hobby is well-known for enhancing knowledge of history, geography, and culture, as stamps often depict important events, landscapes, and national heritage.

- The initiative by the Government of India to encourage Philately among young students through the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana is a positive step towards emphasising the importance of such educational hobbies. It not only boosts the hobby of Philately but also contributes to the overall development of students by increasing their knowledge base and promoting research skills.