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The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana provides annual scholarships to students in Classes 6 to 9 who excel Read More... academically and have a passion for philately (stamp collecting). It aims to encourage this hobby and connect it with learning. Read less

Details

Do you love collecting stamps and have a knack for academics? The Indian government, through its Department of Posts, has a special scholarship just for you!

What Is The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana?

The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, which stands for Scholarship For Promotion Of Aptitude & Research In Stamps As A Hobby, is an initiative by the Department of Posts. Its main goal is to encourage young students to take up stamp collecting as a serious hobby. It believes that learning about stamps can be fun and also help students in their studies, acting as a great way to relax.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scholarship is designed for students who are currently studying in Classes 6th to 9th. The key is that they should not only have a good academic record but also be actively involved in philately.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The scheme is important because it recognises the value of hobbies like philately. It helps students gain knowledge beyond their textbooks, potentially about history, geography, and culture, all through the fascinating world of stamps. By supporting young enthusiasts, it aims to build a sustainable interest in philately for the future.

Objective

The Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana provides annual scholarships to students in Classes 6 to 9 who excel academically and have a passion for philately (stamp collecting). It aims to encourage this hobby and connect it with learning.

Benefits

For Tourism Service ProvidersFinancial support for study tours, and participation in travel shows/exhibitions/road shows in overseas markets (organized by the Ministry of Tourism) will be provided up to a maximum of ₹3,50,000/- per case/tour.Sr. No.ParticularsExtent of Support1Economy class airfare for travel between India to another country and from there to a group of countries by air/rail.90%2Cost of built-up/furnished stall, electricity and water charges, participation fee, etc., at travel fair/exhibitions held overseas.90%3Lodging expenses on overseas tourMax. 5 nights with an upper ceiling of room rate at ₹10,000/- per night.For Tourism Departments of State Governments / UT AdministrationsFinancial support for participation in overseas travel shows and exhibitions will be provided as follows:Sr. No.ParticularsExtent of Support1.Cost of built-up/furnished stall, electricity and water charges, participation fee, etc., at travel fair/exhibitions held overseas.

Overall ceiling of ₹3,50,000/-.

2. Since, the representatives of State Govts and UTs are provided TA/DA by the States/UTs, the provisions of financial assistance towards international air fare and lodging are not applicable to them.For Tourism Service Providers /Tourism Departments of State Governments / UT AdministrationsFinancial support for online promotion of tourism destinations and products in overseas markets, including digital content creation, will cover 50% of the total cost, up to ₹1,00,000/- per financial year, subject to actuals.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, you need to meet the following criteria:

You must be a regular student in Class 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th.
You should be studying in a school that is recognised in India.
Your school must have a Philately Club, and you need to be a member. If your school doesn't have one yet, you can still be considered if you have your own Philately Deposit Account.
You should have scored at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in your last final examination.

Special Consideration: Students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) will get a 5% relaxation in the marks requirement.

How To Apply

The application process generally involves the following steps:

Keep an eye out for notifications from your local Postal Circle, which will announce the scholarship details and application dates.
You will likely need to submit an application form, which will be provided by the Postal Department.
Ensure you have all the required documents ready as specified in the notification.
Submit your application and project work (if required) by the deadline mentioned in the announcement.

For the most accurate and up-to-date application details, please refer to the official website of the Department of Posts or contact your nearest Post Office.

Documents You'll Need

To apply for the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana, you'll typically need to provide the following documents:

Your Marksheet from the previous qualifying exam.
A Bonafide Certificate from your school confirming your enrollment.
Proof of your membership in the school's Philately Club, or details of your Philately Deposit Account.
A valid Identity Proof.
Your Bank Account details (often a joint account with parents for scholarship disbursement).
A Caste Certificate, if you belong to SC/ST categories and are claiming the relaxation in marks.

FAQ’s

What's the main purpose of assigning Philately Mentors to schools participating in this scholarship?

Philately Mentors are assigned to guide schools in setting up their Philately Clubs. They also help young stamp enthusiasts learn more about the hobby and support them with their philatelic projects.

How does the scholarship amount get paid to the students who win?

Once the winners are chosen, each Postal Circle sends a list of their names to the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) or Post Office Savings Bank (POSB). These banks then disburse the scholarship money to the awardees every quarter.

Could you explain the role of Postal Officials and expert Philatelists in judging the students' project work?

Yes, Postal Officials and well-known Philatelists form a committee at the circle level. They carefully assess the quality, effort, and relevance of the philately projects submitted by the students.

Is it possible to get this scholarship more than once?

The scholarship selection is for one academic year. However, if you were selected previously and continue to meet all the eligibility requirements, you are welcome to apply again in the following year.

What are the educational advantages of taking up stamp collecting as a hobby?

Philately offers many educational benefits! It provides insights into different historical periods, socio-economic conditions, and even global politics through the stamps. It also helps improve memory and allows you to connect with others who share this interest.

What criteria are used to choose the students who win the scholarship?

Each Postal Circle selects the awardees based on how well they perform in the Philately Quiz and how good their Project work is. The overall evaluation considers both these aspects.

Why are students asked to open a joint account with their parents in India Post Payment Bank or Post Office Savings Bank?

Opening a joint account with parents in IPPB or POSB ensures that the scholarship funds are transferred securely and efficiently to the student's account, providing a safe way to manage the scholarship money.

How are the topics for the Philately Quiz decided, and who tells the students what they are?

The Postal Circles are responsible for choosing the topics for the Philately Quiz. They provide this list of topics to the participants when they release the official notifications for the scholarship.

Who is responsible for reviewing the philately project work that students submit, and how is this review done?

A special committee, made up of Postal Officials and renowned Philatelists, evaluates the project work on philately. This evaluation happens at the circle level.

Are there any special marks relaxation for certain categories of students?

Yes, there is a relaxation of 5% in the marks requirement for students belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories.