The Ministry of Science and Technology addressed a parliamentary question regarding the INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Award MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) competition. In 2022-23, 3,407 students from Bihar were selected under the program. Twenty-eight District Level Exhibitions were organized, with 2,648 students (77.72%) participating, from which approximately 210 students were selected for the State Level Exhibition. Sixteen students were then selected at the state level to participate in the 11th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC), held in New Delhi from September 17-19, 2024. The Department of Science and Technology encourages all selected students to participate in District and State Level Exhibitions and showcase their models/prototypes, allowing participation at any time during their Class 6 to 12 academic course. Financial assistance of ₹10,000 is disbursed directly to students' bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal. Students with unsuccessful payments due to incorrect bank details are notified through their schools to update their information to ensure disbursement. This 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, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
INSPIRE Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge MANAK: A program initiative aimed at fostering innovation among students.
Bihar: A state in India, from which students were selected under the INSPIRE MANAK program.
National Level Exhibition and Project Competition NLEPC: A national level competition where selected students showcase their models and prototypes.
New Delhi: The location in India where the 11th NLEPC was held.
Direct Benefit Transfer DBT: A system used for disbursing financial assistance directly to students' bank accounts.
Public Financial Management System PFMS: The portal used for disbursing financial assistance through DBT.
Rajya Sabha: The Council of States, the upper house of the Parliament of India, where the information was provided.
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
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: INSPIRE AWARD
MANAK COMPETITION
Posted On: 24 JUL 2025 3:56PM by PIB Delhi
A total of 3,407 students were selected from Bihar under the INSPIRE - Million Minds Augmenting National
Aspirations and Knowledge (MANAK) program for the year 2022–23. To showcase their models/prototypes,
28 District Level Exhibitions were organized, in which 2,648 students (77.72%) participated. From these,
approximately 210 students were selected to compete at the State Level Exhibition. Subsequently, 16 students'
th
models/prototypes were selected at the state level, and all the selected students participated in the 11
th th
National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) held from 17 to 19 September 2024 in New
Delhi.
The Department has reviewed the concern, and all selected students are directed through their schools, as well
as District and State Nodal Officers to participate in the District and State Level Exhibitions and showcase
their models/prototypes. Students who could not participate in the initial District Level Exhibitions are
encouraged to take part in subsequent exhibitions to exhibit their models/prototypes, as they are eligible to
participate at any time during their academic course from Class 6 to 12.
The Department is disbursing financial assistance of ₹10,000/- directly to students' bank accounts through
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal in a timely
manner. Beneficiaries whose payments are unsuccessful due to incorrect bank account details are informed
through the concerned school authorities to update their bank information. Once updated, the financial
assistance is disbursed accordingly to ensure their active participation.
This information was given 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, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2147744)