The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme of the Department of Science and Technology is a national initiative to attract meritorious students towards basic and natural sciences. It also aims to build a stronger research and development base by supporting learners from school to doctoral and post-doctoral levels. The scheme covers students, researchers, and early-career faculty through a continuous talent pipeline.
Key Components of INSPIRE
- INSPIRE-MANAK targets students aged 10–17 years in Classes VI to XII. Schools can nominate up to five students annually. Selected students receive ₹10,000 to develop innovative ideas and projects.
- INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) supports students aged 17–22 years pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in basic and natural sciences. It provides 12,000 scholarships annually, each worth ₹80,000 per year.
- INSPIRE Fellowship supports PhD scholars in science and related fields for up to five years. It offers fellowship support equivalent to CSIR-UGC NET rates, along with HRA and contingency grant.
- INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship assists early-career researchers aged 27–32 years with a five-year fellowship and research grant to build independent careers.
Coverage and Rural Participation
The scheme has supported large numbers of students in recent years. INSPIRE-MANAK covered 46,926 students in 2023–24, 50,009 in 2024–25, and 49,805 in 2025–26. INSPIRE-SHE supported 7,976, 9,494, and 9,046 students in the same years. Rural participation has remained , especially in INSPIRE-MANAK, where the number of rural beneficiaries crossed 9.6 lakh in 2025–26. Rural students also form a major share of INSPIRE-SHE beneficiaries.
Support Ecosystem for STEM Education
- Teacher training is promoted through initiatives such as iRISE to improve innovation-oriented teaching.
- Infrastructure support is provided through FIST and PURSE for laboratories and equipment.
- Shared national facilities such as SAIF and SATHI improve access to advanced instruments.
- Digital upgrades to the INSPIRE-MANAK portal have improved nomination, data access, and transparency.
- Students are exposed to science fairs, exhibitions, mentoring, and visits to institutions such as IITs, NITs, and AIIMS.
Monitoring and Policy Significance
The scheme is monitored through standing committees, annual reviews, student tracking, and expert evaluation. Scholar performance, research progress, and faculty output are assessed through certifications and peer reviews. The government has indicated continued support for INSPIRE and related schemes such as Vigyan Jyoti to widen STEM access, especially in rural areas, and strengthen India’s scientific workforce.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026