JustBaazaar Editor August 31, 2024

The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Programme is one of India’s flagship initiatives designed to promote scientific research and innovation among the country’s youth. Launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, INSPIRE aims to nurture young scientific talent and foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

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The scheme “Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)” is a component of the “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)”, which is a flagship programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The scheme aims to attract students to study basic and natural Science subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and pursue research as a career by providing scholarships to interested and deserving students. Under the SHE component, 12,000 scholarships (From the SHE-2017 batch onwards), each valued at ₹ 80,000/- are announced annually to students pursuing Bachelor and Masters level courses in Basic and Natural Science areas.

Tenure

  1. Selected candidates will be supported for a maximum period of five years, starting from the 1st year B.Sc., B.S., Int. M.Sc./Int.M.S. or until the completion of the course, whichever is earlier.
  2. Continuation of the scholarship for the selected candidates is based on good academic performance in the examinations conducted by the University and upon the recommendation by the Head of the Institution.

Objectives of the INSPIRE Programme

INSPIRE’s main objective is to attract talented youth towards the excitement of creative pursuit of science, research, and innovation. The programme is structured to tap into the immense potential of young minds and encourage them to take up science as a career, thereby contributing to the nation’s scientific advancement. The key goals include:

  1. Identifying and Nurturing Talent: Early identification of students with a flair for science and innovation, and nurturing their talent through various incentives and opportunities.
  2. Promoting Science Education: Encouraging students to pursue higher education and research in the sciences by providing scholarships, mentorship, and exposure to top scientists and researchers.
  3. Building a Knowledge-Based Society: Fostering a scientific temperament among the youth to build a robust knowledge-based society that thrives on innovation and cutting-edge research.

Benefits

  1. The scholarship is valued at ₹ 80,000/- per annum.
  2. Each candidate will receive an annual scholarship @ ₹ 5000/- per month with a total value of ₹ 60,000/-.
  3. All the SHE scholars are required to undertake summer research projects under an active researcher in any recognized research centre across India.
  4. A summertime Mentorship grant of ₹ 20,000/- will be paid every year.
  5. The scholarship will be transferred to the scholar’s State Bank of India (SBI) bank account directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Eligibility

(a) Meritorious Students with aggregate marks within the top 1% of their Class XII examination of any State/ Central Education Board in India are eligible. In addition, the student must be pursuing courses in Natural and Basic Sciences at the B.Sc., B.S., and Int.M.Sc./M.S. level.
OR
(b) Those students who have secured ranks in the JEE of IIT, AIPMT (within the top 10000 ranks), and are presently pursuing Natural and Basic Science courses in India at the B.Sc., B.S., Int. M.Sc./M.S. level.
OR
(c) Students with aggregate marks within the top 1% of their Class XII examination of any State/ Central Education Board in India and pursuing Integrated M.S. courses in Natural and Basic Sciences at IISERs, NISER and Department of Atomic Energy Centre for the Basic SciencesUniversity of Mumbai and Visva-Bharati, Shanti Niketan.
OR
(d) Students who have been selected under Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) and pursuing Bachelor/Master level courses in Natural Sciences.
OR
(e) National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) scholars, Jagadish Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) scholars and International Olympiad medallists pursuing Bachelor/ Master level courses in Natural Sciences are also eligible.

Application Process

Online

Call for Applications

The call for applications will be advertised on the INSPIRE Web Portal.

Application Process

Step 1: Log in to the portal by entering the registered email id as user name and the registered password. If you are already logged in, go to Step 2.
Step 2: Upon logging in, a screen will appear where you have to click the ‘Scholarship’ link.
Step 3: Click the Related Link icon in the right-hand corner. To view and print the Offer Letter, please click the ‘View Offer Letter’ link. Please read the Offer Letter carefully before going to Step 4.
Step 4: Fill in the State Bank of India Account details carefully in the respective fields. Upload a scanned copy of the first page of the SBI passbook containing the account number and name.
Step 5: Press Submit button. After the successful submission of bank details, a pop-up message will appear stating that ‘Your bank details updated successfully’.
Step 6: Go to the Related Link icon. Click the ‘Documents for BSc/MSc’ icon.
Step 7: Upload your documents one by one by selecting ‘Documents for the year’, ‘Mark Sheets’ and ‘Performance Report’.
Step 8: Press Submit button. After successful submission of Performance Reports and Mark Sheets, a pop-up message will appear stating that ‘Documents uploaded and submitted for approval. You will be notified if your documents are incomplete or need further clarification’.
Step 9: Press the Logout button.

Intimation of Selection

  1. As the Department receives a large number of applications, the selection process on average takes at least four months from the last date of submission of the application.
  2. All selected candidates shall receive a Provisional Offer Letter on their web portal account informing them that they are selected for the scholarship. Provisionally selected students are required to log into the online portal to download the offer letter.
  3. A list of selected and rejected students will also be displayed on the home page of INSPIRE Web Portal.
NOTE: DO NOT SEND ANY DOCUMENTS BY POST
Official Guidelines for Online Application

Document Required

During Application

  1. Class XII Mark Sheets(mandatory)
  2. Class X Mark Sheet/Certificate (for proof of date of birth)(mandatory)
  3. Endorsement Certificate in the prescribed format, signed by the Principal of the College/Director of the Institute/Registrar of the University (mandatory)
  4. Eligibility Note/Advisory Note (if provided by the State/Central Board) (not mandatory)
  5. Front page of SBI Bank Passbook (containing Account Number and your name)
  6. BSc/Int. MSc Performance Report
  7. BSc/Int. MSc. annual or semester Mark Sheets

Upon Selection

Selected candidates will have to upload the required documents on their web portal within the prescribed time limit (time limit mentioned in the offer letter) for further consideration by the Department.

Components of the INSPIRE Programme

The INSPIRE programme is divided into several key components, each catering to different stages of a student’s academic and research journey:

  1. INSPIRE Award – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge): This component aims to motivate students from classes 6 to 10 to come up with innovative ideas and solutions to societal challenges. Selected ideas are awarded, and students are encouraged to participate in competitions and exhibitions.
  2. INSPIRE Internship: Targeted at students in the 11th grade, this segment offers an opportunity to engage with leading scientists, researchers, and innovators. The internships are designed to provide students with a real-world understanding of the scientific research landscape, inspiring them to pursue science at higher levels.
  3. INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE): Aimed at students aged 17-22 years who have enrolled in basic and natural science courses at the undergraduate level. This scholarship supports and motivates students to continue their studies in science by providing financial aid, ensuring they remain focused on their academic goals.
  4. INSPIRE Fellowship: This segment supports postgraduate students who are pursuing doctoral research in scientific fields. The fellowship provides financial assistance, enabling scholars to conduct research without financial constraints, thus enhancing their focus and productivity.
  5. INSPIRE Faculty Scheme: Designed to address the shortage of quality faculty in India’s research institutions, this scheme offers opportunities to young researchers and postdoctoral scientists to pursue independent research and teaching positions. The scheme supports outstanding researchers with grants, resources, and mentorship.

Achievements and Impact

INSPIRE has made significant contributions to India’s scientific ecosystem since its inception:

  • Increased Participation: Over the years, the programme has seen participation from millions of students, with many success stories of young innovators who have gone on to achieve national and international recognition.
  • Encouraging Diversity: INSPIRE has been successful in reaching out to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunity for aspiring scientists across the country.
  • Nurturing Future Scientists: The programme has nurtured a generation of young scientists who are contributing to research in fields like biotechnology, environmental science, physics, chemistry, and more.
  • Boosting Innovation: By promoting out-of-the-box thinking, INSPIRE has played a pivotal role in cultivating an innovative mindset among the youth, which is essential for solving contemporary challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, and technological advancement.

Conclusion

INSPIRE is more than just a programme; it is a movement that is shaping the future of scientific research in India. By investing in the country’s young minds, INSPIRE is paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that can propel India to the forefront of global scientific research. As the world increasingly relies on science and technology for solutions, programmes like INSPIRE ensure that India’s youth are not just spectators but active contributors to the scientific revolution.

Through continued support, guidance, and investment, the INSPIRE Programme will undoubtedly produce the next generation of scientific leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

Top 20 FAQs About the INSPIRE Programme

Here are the top frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Programme, along with their answers:

  1. What is the INSPIRE Programme?
    • Answer: INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) is a programme initiated by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to attract and nurture young talent in the field of science and research.
  2. Who can apply for the INSPIRE Programme?
    • Answer: The programme targets students from class 6 to PhD level, with different components catering to school students, undergraduates, postgraduates, and young researchers.
  3. What are the main components of INSPIRE?
    • Answer: INSPIRE comprises five main components: INSPIRE Award – MANAK, INSPIRE Internship, INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), INSPIRE Fellowship, and INSPIRE Faculty Scheme.
  4. How does the INSPIRE Award – MANAK work?
    • Answer: The INSPIRE Award – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) aims to identify and reward innovative ideas from students of classes 6 to 10, encouraging them to create solutions to societal challenges.
  5. What is the eligibility criteria for INSPIRE Internship?
    • Answer: INSPIRE Internship is for students in Class 11 who are among the top 1% performers in their respective state or central board exams in Class 10.
  6. What is the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)?
    • Answer: The INSPIRE SHE provides scholarships to students aged 17-22 years enrolled in basic and natural science courses at the undergraduate level, encouraging them to pursue scientific studies.
  7. How can I apply for the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)?
    • Answer: Applications for SHE are submitted online through the INSPIRE portal. Candidates must provide academic details, certificates, and proof of enrollment in a recognized science course.
  8. What is the INSPIRE Fellowship?
    • Answer: The INSPIRE Fellowship supports postgraduate students pursuing doctoral research in scientific fields by providing financial assistance, enabling them to conduct research without financial worries.
  9. Who is eligible for the INSPIRE Fellowship?
    • Answer: Postgraduate students in the age group of 22-27 who have secured admission in a recognized PhD programme in basic or applied sciences are eligible for the fellowship.
  10. What is the INSPIRE Faculty Scheme?
    • Answer: The INSPIRE Faculty Scheme provides opportunities for young researchers and postdoctoral scientists to undertake independent research and teaching positions at research institutions.
  11. How do I apply for the INSPIRE Faculty Scheme?
    • Answer: Applications for the INSPIRE Faculty Scheme are invited through advertisements on the INSPIRE website and major national newspapers. Candidates must submit their research proposals and CVs.
  12. Are there any fees for applying to INSPIRE programmes?
    • Answer: No, there are no application fees for any of the INSPIRE components.
  13. Can students from private schools apply for INSPIRE awards and scholarships?
    • Answer: Yes, students from both government and private schools are eligible to apply, provided they meet the criteria specified for each INSPIRE component.
  14. What is the selection process for INSPIRE awards and scholarships?
    • Answer: Selection is based on academic merit, innovation potential, and performance in board examinations or other specified criteria for each component.
  15. What are the benefits of receiving an INSPIRE scholarship?
    • Answer: Benefits include financial support, mentorship opportunities, access to top scientific institutions, and a chance to participate in national and international science competitions.
  16. Can INSPIRE awardees reapply if not selected in their first attempt?
    • Answer: Yes, students can reapply in subsequent years if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
  17. How does INSPIRE contribute to career development in science?
    • Answer: INSPIRE provides exposure to scientific research, mentorship from leading scientists, scholarships, and fellowships, all of which build a strong foundation for a career in science and research.
  18. Is there any bond or obligation after receiving an INSPIRE scholarship or fellowship?
    • Answer: There is no bond or obligation, but recipients are encouraged to pursue careers in scientific research and academia.
  19. What is the duration of the INSPIRE Fellowship?
    • Answer: The INSPIRE Fellowship is awarded for a maximum duration of five years, subject to the satisfactory progress of the fellow.
  20. How can I get updates or further assistance regarding the INSPIRE Programme?
    • Answer: Updates and information are available on the official INSPIRE website (www.online-inspire.gov.in). Queries can also be directed to the INSPIRE helpdesk through email or contact numbers provided on the site.