Philately Related Questions and Answer for Deen Dayal SPARSH Written Quiz and for other Exams 

For the purpose of preparation to Deen Dayal SPARSH Written Quiz  Probability sample multiple-choice questions that touch upon philately, world stamps, Indian stamps, and Indian postal history other different topics are shared here with please be prepare for exam and all the best. 

General Philately and Stamp Collecting

What is philately?

a) The study of coins

b) The study of stamps and postal history

c) The study of ancient texts

d) The study of rocks

Answer: b

What is the primary purpose of a first-day cover?

a) To display a stamp in an album

b) To commemorate the first day a stamp is issued

c) To package stamps for sale

d) To preserve old stamps

Answer: b

Which of the following is NOT a type of cancellation on stamps?

a) Postmark

b) Emboss

c) Slogan cancellation

d) Machine cancellation

Answer: b

In philately, what does "mint condition" mean?

a) A stamp that is in perfect, unused condition

b) A stamp that has a postmark on it

c) A rare stamp

d) A stamp from a newly independent country

Answer: a

What term is used for the study of postmarks and postal history?

a) Numismatics

b) Cartography

c) Marcophily

d) Deltiology

Answer: c

World Stamps

Which country issued the first postage stamp, known as the Penny Black?

a) France

b) United States

c) United Kingdom

d) Germany

Answer: c

In which year was the Penny Black first issued?

a) 1820

b) 1840

c) 1850

d) 1860

Answer: b

What is a "revenue stamp"?

a) A stamp that collects sales tax

b) A stamp used to collect taxes or fees on documents

c) A stamp for private collections only

d) A stamp printed in only one color

Answer: b

Which country issued the world’s first triangular postage stamps?

a) France

b) Egypt

c) India

d) Cape of Good Hope

Answer: d

The "Inverted Jenny" stamp, famous for its printing error, is from which country?

a) United Kingdom

b) Canada

c) United States

d) Germany

Answer: c

Indian Stamps

When was the first Indian postage stamp issued?

a) 1847

b) 1854

c) 1862

d) 1874

Answer: b

Which Indian stamp was the first to feature Mahatma Gandhi?

a) 1940 "Quit India" stamp

b) 1948 "Mahatma Gandhi Memorial" stamp

c) 1950 "Republic Day" stamp

d) 1960 "Independence" stamp

Answer: b

What is the name of the stamp series commemorating India's independence in 1947?

a) Tricolor Series

b) Jai Hind Series

c) Indian Freedom Series

d) Bharat Uday Series

Answer: b

Which of the following is the oldest post office in India?

a) Delhi General Post Office

b) Mumbai General Post Office

c) Kolkata General Post Office

d) Shimla Post Office

Answer: c

Which Indian stamp is famously known as the “Blue Scinde Dawk”?

a) India’s first airmail stamp

b) India’s first official stamp

c) India’s first adhesive stamp

d) India’s first charity stamp

Answer: c

Indian Postal History

Which governor-general introduced uniform postal rates across British India?

a) Lord Dalhousie

b) Lord Wellesley

c) Lord Curzon

d) Lord Lytton

Answer: a

In which year was the Indian Post Office Act enacted?

a) 1854

b) 1857

c) 1866

d) 1898

Answer: d

What was the purpose of the Scinde Dawk stamps?

a) To commemorate India's independence

b) To serve postal needs in the Sindh region

c) To promote tourism

d) To increase the revenue of the East India Company

Answer: b

What is the term for the historical study of postal systems and mail routes?

a) Numismatics

b) Philately

c) Marcophily

d) Postal history

Answer: d

During the British rule in India, which princely state issued its own stamps independently?

a) Travancore

b) Mysore

c) Hyderabad

d) Jaipur

Answer: a

Advanced Philately and Collectible Stamps

Which of these factors generally increases the value of a stamp?

a) Rarity and condition

b) Age alone

c) Large circulation numbers

d) Newness

Answer: a

What is "perforation" in stamp collecting?

a) Printing ink thickness

b) Holes made around a stamp for easy separation

c) Stamp design style

d) Color quality

Answer: b

What is a "cinderella stamp"?

a) A stamp issued for fairytales

b) A stamp without postal validity

c) A stamp issued on demand

d) A stamp from 1800

Answer: b

What is the rarest color for the Penny Black stamp?

a) Black

b) Blue

c) Green

d) Red

Answer: a

Which stamp is often considered the world's rarest and most expensive?

a) British Guiana 1c Magenta

b) Penny Black

c) Mauritius Post Office

d) Inverted Jenny

Answer: a

Advanced Philately and Stamp Types

What is a “definitive stamp”?

a) A stamp issued to celebrate a specific event

b) A stamp issued regularly for everyday postal use

c) A stamp issued as a charity fundraiser

d) A stamp without denomination

Answer: b

Which material is sometimes used for creating stamps besides paper?

a) Plastic

b) Leather

c) Wood

d) All of the above

Answer: d

What is an “error stamp”?

a) A stamp issued accidentally

b) A stamp with a design flaw, like a misprint

c) A stamp with multiple colors

d) A stamp that was never circulated

Answer: b

What is a "watermark" in philately?

a) A mark showing the year of issue

b) A mark embedded in the paper for authenticity

c) A stamp's country code

d) A printing method

Answer: b

What is a “topical collection” in philately?

a) A collection based on a theme, like animals or art

b) A collection of only rare stamps

c) A collection of stamps from a single year

d) A collection of high-value stamps only

Answer: a

World Stamps and Postal History

Which country’s stamps feature the most commonly used motif of the reigning monarch’s portrait?

a) United Kingdom

b) Germany

c) Japan

d) Canada

Answer: a

The “Mauritius Post Office” stamps are famous for which reason?

a) First to feature a perforated design

b) They were printed in an extremely limited quantity

c) First triangular stamps

d) First stamps printed in Asia

Answer: b

The first stamps of Japan were issued in which year?

a) 1840

b) 1865

c) 1871

d) 1890

Answer: c

Which country has issued a stamp featuring Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms?

a) China

b) Japan

c) South Korea

d) Thailand

Answer: b

Which continent was the first to issue a complete set of Christmas stamps?

a) Asia

b) North America

c) Europe

d) Oceania

Answer: d (Australia)

Indian Stamps and Events

What was special about the 1947 Indian "Jai Hind" stamps?

a) Featured India’s first prime minister

b) Issued on the day of independence

c) First stamps printed after independence

d) Only available in red

Answer: b

Who was featured on the first Indian postage stamp after independence?

a) Mahatma Gandhi

b) Jawaharlal Nehru

c) Rabindranath Tagore

d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Answer: a

The “Scinde Dawk” stamps were issued in which current Indian state?

a) Maharashtra

b) Gujarat

c) West Bengal

d) Sindh (now in Pakistan)

Answer: d

In which year did the Indian Postal Service issue the first airmail stamp?

a) 1911

b) 1927

c) 1931

d) 1940

Answer: c

Which animal is featured on the 1963 Indian Wildlife Series stamp?

a) Tiger

b) Elephant

c) Peacock

d) Lion

Answer: a

Indian Postal History and Postal Service

Who introduced the Railway Mail Service in India?

a) Lord Wellesley

b) Sir John Lawrence

c) Lord Dalhousie

d) Lord Ripon

Answer: c

The first official airmail in India took place in which year?

a) 1927

b) 1911

c) 1935

d) 1940

Answer: b

India’s first postage stamps under British rule were inscribed with which term?

a) India Post

b) East India Postage

c) British India Postage

d) Bharat Postage

Answer: b

Which Indian state issued its own stamps before merging with India?

a) Travancore

b) Kerala

c) Goa

d) West Bengal

Answer: a

The red and white post boxes seen across India signify what type of service?

a) Domestic and international mail

b) Domestic mail only

c) Express mail

d) Government communications only

Answer: a

Rare Indian and International Stamps

Which Indian stamp, featuring Gandhi, is among the world’s rarest stamps?

a) 1948 Mahatma Gandhi 10 rupees purple-brown

b) 1950 Republic India 2 annas

c) 1960 Indian Independence 1 rupee

d) 1975 Gandhi Commemoration 5 rupees

Answer: a

What was unique about the British Guiana 1c Magenta stamp?

a) It was printed only once and is unique

b) It was the first triangular stamp

c) It featured an upside-down airplane

d) It was the first multicolor stamp

Answer: a

The Treskilling Yellow is a rare stamp from which country?

a) Sweden

b) Denmark

c) Switzerland

d) Norway

Answer: a

The famous “Inverted Head 4 Annas” error stamp was printed in which country?

a) United States

b) India

c) Canada

d) United Kingdom

Answer: b

Which stamp error is known for featuring an upside-down plane?

a) British Guiana Magenta

b) Mauritius Post Office

c) Inverted Jenny

d) Indian 4 Annas Error

Answer: c

Rare Stamps and Stamp Collecting Practices

What is the primary factor that determines a stamp’s value?

a) Design

b) Color

c) Condition and rarity

d) Size

Answer: c

What does “OG” mean when describing a stamp's condition?

a) Original Gum

b) Old Generation

c) Over Glue

d) Original Graphics

Answer: a

Which of the following is NOT a common stamp format?

a) Sheet stamp

b) Coil stamp

c) Proof stamp

d) Pictorial stamp

Answer: c

What is a “se-tenant” in philately?

a) A stamp with inverted printing

b) Two or more different stamps attached as a pair or strip

c) A stamp that was never issued

d) A very rare stamp

Answer: b

What is a “cachet” on a first-day cover?

a) The stamp’s denomination

b) An illustration or design related to the stamp’s theme

c) The postmark date

d) A collector’s note

Answer: b

Indian Stamp Issues and Postal Events

Who was featured on the first Indian definitive stamps issued after independence?

a) Mahatma Gandhi

b) Jawaharlal Nehru

c) Queen Victoria

d) Lord Mountbatten

Answer: a

Which Indian festival was commemorated by India’s first festival-themed stamp series?

a) Diwali

b) Holi

c) Pongal

d) Navratri

Answer: a

When did the Indian postal service celebrate its 150th anniversary?

a) 1990

b) 1997

c) 2000

d) 2011

Answer: b

What design is on the definitive stamps of India’s “Builders of Modern India” series?

a) Animals of India

b) Freedom fighters and leaders

c) Important buildings in India

d) National symbols

Answer: b

The “Service” overprint on an Indian stamp indicates it was used for what purpose?

a) General mail

b) Government or official use only

c) Charity purposes

d) Urgent delivery

Answer: b

World Philately Innovations

Which country issued the first self-adhesive postage stamp?

a) United States

b) Australia

c) United Kingdom

d) Sierra Leone

Answer: d

The world’s first hologram stamp was issued by which country?

a) Canada

b) Bhutan

c) United Kingdom

d) India

Answer: b

Which of the following materials has been used to produce novelty stamps in Bhutan?

a) Plastic

b) Metal

c) Silk

d) Vinyl (record-like stamps)

Answer: d

In which year did the United States issue its first “Forever” stamp?

a) 2005

b) 2007

c) 2009

d) 2011

Answer: b

What country issued the first scented postage stamp?

a) France

b) Netherlands

c) Switzerland

d) Brazil

Answer: c

Historical and Commemorative Stamps of India

Which Indian prime minister was first commemorated on an Indian postage stamp?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru

b) Indira Gandhi

c) Lal Bahadur Shastri

d) Rajiv Gandhi

Answer: a

What unique material was used for India’s Khadi Gandhi stamp?

a) Silk

b) Cotton (Khadi)

c) Jute

d) Wool

Answer: b

In which year did India Post release the first “Philately Day” stamp?

a) 1965

b) 1975

c) 1980

d) 1990

Answer: b

The “Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence” stamp series was issued in which year?

a) 1995

b) 1997

c) 2000

d) 2005

Answer: b

India Post issued a series on the theme “Tribal Heritage of India” in which year?

a) 1977

b) 1982

c) 1986

d) 1990

Answer: c

Indian Postal System and Services

What is the motto of India Post?

a) Service above Self

b) Every Household, Every Heart

c) Spreading Joy, Delivering Letters

d) Service Before Self

Answer: b

When is the National Postal Week celebrated in India?

a) August

b) October

c) December

d) April

Answer: b

The Indian Postal Service started a “My Stamp” program in which year?

a) 2010

b) 2011

c) 2013

d) 2015

Answer: b

Which branch of India Post is responsible for handling mail to military personnel?

a) Army Post Office (APO)

b) Military Mail Service

c) Air Force Postal Service

d) Defence Post Office

Answer: a

What is the primary function of a philatelic bureau in India?

a) Printing stamps

b) Selling stamps to collectors

c) Collecting old mail

d) Issuing licenses for stamp dealers

Answer: b

Famous Collectors and Philatelic Societies

Which royal figure is known for their world-renowned philatelic collection?

a) Queen Elizabeth II

b) Prince Philip

c) King George V

d) Queen Victoria

Answer: c

The American Philatelic Society (APS) was founded in which year?

a) 1886

b) 1895

c) 1900

d) 1908

Answer: a

The Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) was founded in which year?

a) 1945

b) 1948

c) 1952

d) 1960

Answer: b

Which Indian city hosted India’s first International Philatelic Exhibition, INDIPEX?

a) Kolkata

b) Mumbai

c) Delhi

d) Chennai

Answer: c

What is a “philatelic exhibition”?

a) A stamp competition

b) A showcase event for stamp collections

c) A market for buying stamps

d) An award ceremony for rare stamps

Answer: b

Basic Philately Concepts

What is philately?

a) The study and collection of currency

b) The study and collection of stamps and postal history

c) The study of fossils

d) The study of old books

Answer: b

What is a postage stamp?

a) A piece of paper used to decorate letters

b) A government-issued label to indicate payment for postal services

c) A token used for currency exchange

d) A stamp indicating the weight of a letter

Answer: b

Who is known as the “Father of Philately”?

a) William Penn

b) Sir Rowland Hill

c) Benjamin Franklin

d) James Cook

Answer: b

What was the first postage stamp in the world called?

a) Penny Red

b) Penny Black

c) British Blue

d) Queen’s Stamp

Answer: b

In what year was the first postage stamp issued?

a) 1840

b) 1850

c) 1865

d) 1870

Answer: a

What does the term "mint condition" mean in philately?

a) A stamp that is torn

b) A stamp that has been heavily used

c) A stamp that is new and unused, in perfect condition

d) A stamp that is partially damaged

Answer: c

What is a “cancellation mark”?

a) A mark that shows a stamp is no longer usable

b) A symbol to decorate a stamp

c) A government seal on a stamp

d) A type of stamp design

Answer: a

What is the purpose of a perforation on a stamp?

a) To show a stamp's authenticity

b) To make it easier to separate stamps

c) To indicate a stamp's rarity

d) To decorate a stamp

Answer: b

What is a “definitive stamp”?

a) A stamp issued to celebrate a special event

b) A stamp regularly issued for everyday use

c) A stamp issued only once

d) A stamp with no monetary value

Answer: b

What is a “commemorative stamp”?

a) A stamp issued for everyday mail

b) A stamp issued to celebrate a specific event or person

c) A stamp printed only in black and white

d) A stamp with no design

Answer: b

What is a “topical collection” in philately?

a) A collection of rare stamps

b) A collection based on a theme, such as animals or history

c) A collection of only mint condition stamps

d) A collection of stamps from one country

Answer: b

What is an “overprint” on a stamp?

a) A mistake on the stamp

b) An additional print on a stamp, often changing its purpose or value

c) A misprinted stamp

d) A different color added to the design

Answer: b

What is a “watermark” in the context of stamps?

a) A visible image added to the design

b) A faint image in the paper for authenticity

c) A type of ink used on the stamp

d) A mark indicating the country of origin

Answer: b

What does “face value” mean in terms of stamps?

a) The real market value of the stamp

b) The monetary value printed on the stamp

c) The age of the stamp

d) The color of the stamp

Answer: b

What is a “postmark”?

a) A sticker placed on the envelope

b) A mark that indicates the date and place of mailing

c) A decorative symbol on a stamp

d) A signature by the sender

Answer: b

Which tool is commonly used by philatelists to closely examine stamps?

a) Magnifying glass

b) Ruler

c) Scissors

d) Paintbrush

Answer: a

What is the purpose of a “hinge” in philately?

a) To hold stamps in a collection

b) To repair damaged stamps

c) To mark a stamp's value

d) To show a stamp's rarity

Answer: a

What does “OG” stand for in stamp collecting?

a) Original Gum

b) Old Graphics

c) Overprinted Graphic

d) Only Genuine

Answer: a

Which term refers to a stamp’s edges being perfectly aligned?

a) Centering

b) Margins

c) Framing

d) Borders

Answer: a

Which organization was founded to represent philatelists worldwide?

a) Universal Postal Union

b) World Philatelic Federation

c) American Philatelic Society

d) International Philatelic Society

Answer: a

What does “used” mean in stamp collecting?

a) A stamp in perfect condition

b) A stamp that has been canceled or used for mail

c) A rare stamp

d) A damaged stamp

Answer: b

What is “cancellation” in relation to philately?

a) The removal of a stamp from circulation

b) A mark that voids a stamp for reuse

c) A design error on a stamp

d) The termination of a stamp’s value

Answer: b

What is a “first-day cover”?

a) A stamp issued without gum

b) An envelope with a stamp canceled on its first day of issue

c) A damaged stamp collection

d) A rare type of airmail stamp

Answer: b

What does “philatelic cover” mean?

a) A protective covering for stamps

b) An envelope prepared especially for collectors with stamps and postmarks

c) A stamp made from a cover material

d) A way to display stamps in albums

Answer: b

What is a “souvenir sheet”?

a) A full sheet of definitive stamps

b) A small sheet of stamps issued to mark a special event

c) A sheet of canceled stamps

d) A sheet with stamps from multiple countries

Answer: b