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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3952
ANSWERED ON 12/08/2026
INNOVATION IN SCIENCE PURSUIT FOR INSPIRED RESEARCH (INSPIRE)
PROGRAMME
3952. SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) the progress made under the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired
Research (INSPIRE) Programme during the last five years including the
number of students and young researchers supported, component-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to strengthen the INSPIRE
Programme to encourage meritorious students to pursue higher education
and research in science;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the measures taken to improve outreach and participation under the
Programme, particularly in rural, remote and aspirational districts?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (c): Over the last five years, the Innovation in Science Pursuit for
Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Programme of the department of science and
technology has systematically nurtured scientific talent at different stages of
the academic and research pipeline through its four major components.
INSPIRE MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and
Knowledge) promotes innovation and scientific creativity among students
aged 10-17 years (Classes VI-XII) by encouraging them to develop and
showcase original ideas and innovations. INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher
Education (SHE) supports meritorious students aged 17-22 years pursuing
undergraduate and postgraduate studies in natural and basic sciences by
awarding 12,000 scholarships annually, each valued at ₹80,000 per year.
INSPIRE Fellowship encourages outstanding graduates and INSPIRE scholars
to pursue research through full-time Ph.D. programme(s) by providing
financial support up to five years, including a fellowship of ₹37,000 per month
as Junior Research Fellow (JRF), ₹42,000 per month as Senior Research
Fellow (SRF), admissible House Rent Allowance (HRA), and an annual
contingency grant of ₹20,000. INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship supports
outstanding postdoctoral researchers, generally in the 27-32 years age group
(with applicable age relaxations for reserved categories), through a five-year
Page 1 of 2fellowship. Fellows receive ₹1,25,000 per month, an annual increment of
₹2,000, and a research grant of ₹35 lakh over the fellowship period.
The Government has been committed to promotion of the Innovation in
Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Programme to encourage
meritorious students to pursue higher education and research in science. The
component-wise INSPIRE activities during the last five years, including the
number of students and young researchers supported under each component,
are provided below:
Program/Financial Year 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
INSPIRE-MANAK 52720 43381 46926 50009 49805
INSPIRE-SHE 18039 19771 18236 20354 24276
INSPIRE Fellowship 2768 2872 2811 2448 3364
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship 474 338 299 225 477
With a goal to enhance innovative research by the young generation in the
country, impact of these components is being monitored and analysed to
facilitate their strategic planning.
(d) The Government has undertaken a series of targeted interventions to
significantly expand the outreach and inclusivity of INSPIRE Programme, with
a special focus on rural, remote and aspirational districts across the country.
These efforts include extensively deep dissemination of information through
State Education Departments, District Education Officers, schools and digital
platforms; organization of awareness campaigns, orientation programmes,
webinars, and capacity-building workshops for teachers and school
authorities to improve the quality and reach of nominations; and the conduct
of District, State, and National Level Exhibition and Project Competitions
(DLEPCs, SLEPCs, and NLEPCs) to identify, recognize and nurture innovative
ideas among school students. To further strengthen the innovation
ecosystem, mentorship programmes have been organized in collaboration
with premier institutions such as IITs, NITs, IISERs, and other leading
scientific organizations, providing selected students with guidance on
prototype development, innovation, and scientific research. These sustained
efforts have led to inclusive participation in the INSPIRE programmes
spanning various regions across the country, sections of our society.
A growing number of students from rural and remote districts have benefited
through innovation grants, mentoring support, and opportunities to showcase
their scientific talent on national platforms. Collectively, these interventions
have strengthened the scientific temper and culture of inquiry, fostered
grassroots innovation, expanded equitable access to science education,
scholarships and research fellowships and broadened the pipeline of young
scientific talent from most regions of the country.
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