The Government’s flagship Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Programme has emerged as a major initiative for identifying, encouraging, and supporting young scientific talent across India. Over the last five years, the programme has strengthened the country’s science ecosystem by providing opportunities to school students, undergraduate learners, doctoral researchers, and postdoctoral scientists through its four key components.
The information was shared by Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The INSPIRE Programme, implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), aims to motivate talented students to pursue careers in science and research. Through financial assistance, mentorship, and exposure to innovation platforms, the programme supports young minds at different stages of their academic journey.
Supporting Innovation from School Level to Advanced Research
One of the major components of INSPIRE is INSPIRE MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge), which encourages scientific creativity among students aged 10–17 years studying in Classes VI to XII. The initiative promotes original ideas and innovations by providing students a platform to develop and showcase their scientific concepts.
During the financial years from 2021-22 to 2025-26, INSPIRE MANAK supported thousands of students annually. The number of beneficiaries stood at 52,720 in 2021-22, 43,381 in 2022-23, 46,926 in 2023-24, 50,009 in 2024-25, and 49,805 in 2025-26.
The INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) provides financial support to meritorious students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in natural and basic sciences. Under this component, 12,000 scholarships are awarded every year, with each scholar receiving ₹80,000 annually to continue their studies and develop expertise in scientific disciplines.
The number of students supported under INSPIRE SHE increased from 18,039 in 2021-22 to 24,276 in 2025-26, reflecting growing participation among science students.
Encouraging Young Researchers and Scientists
The INSPIRE Fellowship supports outstanding graduates and INSPIRE scholars who wish to pursue full-time Ph.D. programmes. The fellowship provides financial assistance for up to five years, including a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 for Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and ₹42,000 for Senior Research Fellows (SRF), along with admissible House Rent Allowance and an annual contingency grant.
A total of 2,768 researchers benefited from the INSPIRE Fellowship in 2021-22, while the number increased to 3,364 in 2025-26.
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship focuses on nurturing young postdoctoral researchers, generally in the age group of 27–32 years, with applicable relaxations for reserved categories. Selected fellows receive support for five years, including a monthly fellowship of ₹1.25 lakh, annual increments, and a research grant of ₹35 lakh during the fellowship period.
The number of researchers supported under this component rose from 474 in 2021-22 to 477 in 2025-26.
Expanding Access to Rural and Aspirational Districts
The Government has undertaken several measures to increase the reach of INSPIRE, particularly among students from rural, remote, and aspirational districts. These efforts include extensive awareness campaigns through State Education Departments, District Education Officers, schools, and digital platforms.
Orientation programmes, webinars, and capacity-building workshops have also been organised for teachers and school authorities to improve awareness and encourage more nominations from diverse regions.
The programme has strengthened grassroots innovation through District Level, State Level, and National Level Exhibition and Project Competitions (DLEPCs, SLEPCs, and NLEPCs), where students receive opportunities to present their innovative ideas.
Building India’s Future Scientific Workforce
To further strengthen the innovation ecosystem, INSPIRE has collaborated with premier institutions including IITs, NITs, IISERs, and other scientific organisations to provide mentorship and guidance to students. These initiatives help young innovators develop prototypes, improve scientific understanding, and pursue research-oriented careers.
The Government stated that the impact of various INSPIRE components is continuously monitored and analysed to support strategic planning and improve programme effectiveness.
With its focus on inclusive participation, scientific curiosity, and research excellence, the INSPIRE Programme has played a crucial role in expanding India’s pipeline of young scientists. By connecting students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities in science education, innovation, scholarships, and research, the initiative continues to contribute towards building a strong and knowledge-driven scientific community.
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Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
