**Policy Summary: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme**
The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme, administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), aims to strengthen India's research and development base by attracting talented youth to pursue studies and careers in basic and applied sciences, including engineering, agriculture, veterinary sciences, and medicine. The scheme comprises three primary components:
1. **Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE):** Offers 12,000 scholarships annually, each for five years, at a rate of ₹80,000 per year. These scholarships support Bachelor's and Master's level education in basic and natural sciences and are awarded to the top 1% of talented youth (ages 17-22) identified through central and state education board data.
2. **INSPIRE Fellowship:** Provides fellowships to M.Sc. 1st Rank holders (ages 22-27) in basic and applied sciences (including engineering, agriculture, veterinary sciences, and medicine) at recognized universities and academic institutions of national importance. INSPIRE Scholars securing 70% aggregate marks at the M.Sc. level are also eligible for Ph.D. programs. The fellowship is tenable for a maximum of five years: two years as a Junior Research Fellowship (₹37,000 per month + HRA + ₹20,000 annual contingency grant) and three years as a Senior Research Fellowship (₹42,000 per month + HRA + ₹20,000 annual contingency grant), or until Ph.D. completion, whichever is earlier. A maximum of 1000 INSPIRE Fellowships are awarded per year.
3. **INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship:** Offers opportunities to postdoctoral researchers (ages 27-32, with age relaxations for SC/ST/Women (37 years) and persons with disabilities (42 years)) for five years in basic and applied sciences, including engineering, agriculture, veterinary sciences, and medicine. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. degree and demonstrate a strong academic and research record. The fellowship provides a consolidated emolument of ₹1,25,000 per month, with an annual increment of ₹2,000, and a research grant of ₹7 lakh per annum. A maximum of 150 INSPIRE Faculty Fellowships are awarded per year.
As of August 2025, the scheme supports 49,582 INSPIRE scholars, 3,263 INSPIRE fellows, and 427 INSPIRE faculty fellows. The increase in Faculty Fellowships from 100 in 2020 to 150 in 2024 has led to a rise in applications from 2,007 in 2020 to 2,753 in 2024. In 2025, 54 national winners of the INSPIRE-MANAK scheme participated in the SAKURA Science High School Program in Japan.
The information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space.
Key Entities Referenced
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research INSPIRE Scheme: A scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to attract meritorious youth to study basic and natural sciences and pursue research careers.
Department of Science and Technology DST: The government department responsible for the INSPIRE scheme and promotion of science and technology.
Scholarship for Higher Education SHE: A component of the INSPIRE scheme that aims to enhance the participation of talented youth in science-intensive higher education programs through scholarships and mentorship.
INSPIRE Fellowship: A component of the INSPIRE scheme providing fellowships to M.Sc. rank holders and Inspire Scholars for pursuing Ph.D. programs.
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship: A component of the INSPIRE scheme providing opportunities to postdoctoral researchers to establish themselves as independent researchers.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences.
Rajya Sabha: The Upper House of the Parliament of India, where the information regarding the INSPIRE scheme was presented.
INSPIRE-MANAK Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge scheme: A scheme related to INSPIRE, aimed at augmenting national aspiration and knowledge, with winners participating in the SAKURA Science High School Program.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: INNOVATION IN
SCIENCE PURSUIT FOR INSPIRED RESEARCH
Posted On: 21 AUG 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi
The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme of the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) aims to attract meritorious youth to study basic and natural sciences at the college and
university levels, and to pursue research careers in basic and applied science areas, including engineering,
agriculture, veterinary sciences and medicine. The ultimate goal is to expand the research and development
base of the country.
The Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) component of INSPIRE aims to enhance the participation of
talented youth in higher education programs that are science-intensive by providing scholarships and
mentorship support. The scheme offers 12,000 scholarships, each of five years’ duration, at the rate of
₹80,000 per year, to pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s level education in basic and natural sciences. These
scholarships are awarded to the top 1% of talented youth, as identified from central and state education board
data, in the age group of 17–22 years.
st
INSPIRE Fellowship component of INSPIRE aims to provide fellowship to M.Sc. 1 Rank holders, in the age
group of 22-27 years, in Basic & Applied Sciences including engineering, agriculture, veterinary sciences and
medicine at the university/ academic institute of national importance i.e. IITs, NITs, IISERs level examination
as well as Inspire Scholars having secured 70% marks in aggregate at the M.Sc. level who are eligible for
admission to the Ph.D. program in any recognized university/ academic institutions in the country.The
fellowships are tenable for a maximum of five years, two years as a Junior Research Fellowship (₹37,000 per
month + HRA + contingency grant of ₹20,000 per annum) and three years as a Senior Research Fellowship
(₹42,000 per month + HRA + contingency grant of ₹20,000 per annum) or until completion of the Ph.D.,
whichever is earlier, to enable the pursuit of a full-time Ph.D. program. A maximum of 1000 INSPIRE
Fellowships per year are tenable.
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship component aims to provide opportunities to post-doctoral researchers in the
age group of 27–32 years (the upper age limit is 37 years for SC/ST/ Women candidates and 42 years for
persons with benchmark disabilities) for a period of five years, in both basic and applied sciences, including
engineering, agriculture, veterinary sciences, and medicine. Applicants holding a Ph.D. degree with a strong
academic and research track record are considered on a competitive basis. The fellowship provides a
consolidated emolument of ₹1,25,000 per month, with an annual increment of ₹2,000 and a research grant of
₹7 lakh per annum, for a duration of five years. A maximum of 150 INSPIRE Faculty Fellowships per year
are tenable.
Currently, the number of INSPIRE scholars, INSPIRE fellows and INSPIRE faculty fellows being supported
is 49582, 3263 and 427 respectively.
The increase in Faculty Fellowships from 100 in 2020 to 150 in 2024 has significantly encouraged young
researchers, as reflected in the rise in applications from 2,007 in 2020 to 2,753 in 2024. The expansion of
postdoctoral fellowships is also enabling more young researchers to pursue research career in science and
technology, thereby strengthening the country’s research ecosystem.
This year, 54 national winners of the INSPIRE–MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration
and Knowledge) scheme participated in the SAKURA Science High School Program and visited Japan from
th st
15 to 21 June 2025.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Scienceand Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of
Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2159319)