The Ministry of Communication has recently launched a Pan India scholarship programme for schoolchildren called ‘Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana’. The objective of the scheme is 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. The amount of Scholarship will be ₹6000/- per annum @ ₹500/- per month.