Question 1

New Britain stamps trace Queen Elizabeth II’s historic reign

Accepted Answer

Royal Mail has unveiled a new set of commemorative stamps marking what would have been the 100th birthday of Elizabeth II, celebrating her life and decades of public service.
The collection, comprising eight stamps, traces key moments from the late monarch’s life and is scheduled for release on April 21, according to the British postal service. Among the images featured is a photograph of Princess Elizabeth at the age of six, taken in July 1932 by Marcus Adams.
Adams, a renowned British photographer who specialised in child portraits, took numerous official photographs of Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family from 1926 to 1956. He documented her life from infancy through her ascension to the throne and as a mother.
Source: Royal Mail
Other stamps highlight major milestones, including her coronation in 1953, a 1961 visit to India, and her first radio broadcast in 1940 at age 14. Scenes from Trooping the Colour in the 1970s are also included, alongside more recent images such as her attendance at the 2021 G7 Summit and a portrait issued for her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The release briefly revives a decades-long tradition of featuring the Queen’s image on UK postage. This practice spanned her 70-year reign and appeared on both everyday stamps and those marking significant national events. It also cemented her status as one of the most widely collected figures in global philately.
In addition to the main set, a miniature sheet has been produced to reflect the monarch’s personal interests, particularly her well-known affection for horses and dogs. The images include scenes from royal residences at Balmoral and Sandringham.
Source: Royal Mail
David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy at Royal Mail, said the collection honours a “remarkable story of a very public life of dedicated service&#8221; while also highlighting the Queen’s private passions, describing her expertise with animals as widely recognised.

Question 2

Axiom Mission 4 inspires India Post commemorative release

Accepted Answer

India Post has released two commemorative stamps inspired by Axiom Mission 4, marking a symbolic milestone in India’s human spaceflight journey. The stamp honours astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to stay aboard the International Space Station.
The stamps, along with souvenir sheets, were unveiled by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan in Bengaluru on Sunday. The release marked the International Day of Human Space Flight, highlighting India’s growing ambitions in crewed space missions. The collection features a mission patch designed by Manish Tripathi, founder of aantarDESI. Originally created as an emblem worn by Shukla during the mission, it has now been transformed into a national postal artefact through a collaboration initiated by ISRO and executed by India Post.
From left, Director of Postal Services for the Bengaluru HQ Region V Tara, Chief Postmaster General (CPMG) of Karnataka Postal Circle K Prakash, Chairman of ISRO V Narayanan, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and designer Manish Tripathi during the release of the commemorative stamp. Photo Courtesy: India Post
Tripathi said the recognition gives the design a lasting place in public memory. “To see a design that began as an emblem on an astronaut’s suit find a place in India’s postal history is incredibly humbling,” he told members of the press at the function. “A stamp is not just a medium of communication. It is a lasting record.”
He added that the idea of a stamp was part of the creative intent from the beginning. “My thought was that India is going to space, and this is like putting our mark there,” he said. “Now that it has become a postal stamp, it feels very special.” Shukla launched aboard Axiom Mission 4 on June 25, 2025.
The design process, according to Tripathi, took around four months. He said much of it was done using simple tools to preserve originality. “I didn’t use any fancy tools, just paper and hotel stationery,” he said. “I wanted the creative journey to remain original and not influenced by anything else.”
The patch brings together symbols representing India’s scientific heritage and space ambitions. It includes references to Aryabhata, the pi symbol, and Jantar Mantar. It also features Earth forming an astronaut’s face, the Gaganyaan capsule, and an infinity symbol representing continuity and learning.
Tripathi said the challenge was compressing India’s space story into a single visual identity. “The challenge was to capture India’s vast space legacy within a small format.”
He added that Shukla was closely involved in shaping the concept, which aimed to inspire younger generations to pursue space science and exploration. “He wanted to create something that inspires the coming generations,” Tripathi said.
The project also carried personal significance for the designer, who shares a hometown connection with Shukla. The journey concluded when Shukla presented him with the original patch that had flown to space.
“He also presented me with the space travel patch,” Tripathi said. “It felt like the journey had come full circle.”

Question 3

Stamp price hike sparks fresh 'backlash' in UK

Accepted Answer

Royal Mail has raised stamp prices again despite missing delivery targets, prompting criticism from businesses, consumers and lawmakers.
A first-class stamp now costs £1.80, up 10p, while a second-class stamp has risen by 4p to 91p, according to the BBC. Royal Mail said the increases reflect falling letter volumes and a growing number of delivery addresses.
The latest rise, the eighth in five years, comes as only 77% of first-class letters are delivered within one working day, below a 93% target, the BBC said.
Business customers will also face higher charges from May, with fuel surcharges rising by 5% for domestic and 5.5% for international services, which the company attributed to higher energy costs related to the Iran war.
Consumer groups including Citizens Advice have criticised the move, saying price increases should be tied to performance. Second-class stamp prices are regulated by Ofcom and rise with inflation.
Royal Mail managing director of letters Richard Travers said the company carefully balances affordability with rising delivery costs, according to the report.
Businesses say service has worsened, with greeting card retailer Dean Morris telling BBC Breakfast that deliveries have become slower and less consistent, and customers often chase orders nearly a week after posting.
Growing scrutiny of the company, including complaints from MPs and allegations by postal workers that they were asked to move or hide mail to meet targets—claims Royal Mail said it takes “very seriously.”
Owner Daniel Křetínský acknowledged the service was not perfect but said there were plans to improve performance.
A decade ago, first-class stamps cost 64p and second-class 55p, meaning current first-class prices are now nearly three times higher.

Question 4

Faker to feature on South Korean stamp in historic first for esports

Accepted Answer

Korea Post has announced that it will issue a commemorative postal stamp honouring esports legend Lee Sang-hyeok, widely known as &#8220;Faker,&#8221; in October.
The planned release marks the first time an esports athlete will be featured on a South Korean postage stamp, reflecting the growing cultural significance of competitive gaming. Korea Post, operating under the Ministry of Science and ICT, says such stamps are issued to recognise historically significant figures and events or promote national initiatives.
Originally part of its broader 2026 commemorative stamp plan, the agency added Faker to the stamp calendar through a later revision. A total of 17 commemorative stamps are scheduled for release this year, including themes featuring Oreum on Jeju Island, the KBO League, and the 150th anniversary of independence activist Kim Gu (1876–1949).
Faker, who made his professional debut in 2013 with T1, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of League of Legends. He has won six League of Legends World Championship titles and claimed a gold medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Earlier this year, he was awarded the Cheongnyong-class Order of Sport Merit, the country’s highest sporting honour, making him the first esports player to receive the distinction.
Observers say the move underscores Faker’s influence beyond gaming, highlighting his role in elevating esports into mainstream culture in South Korea and around the world.

Suman Malla

Journalist

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