Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on 13th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report clarifies that the flagship INSPIRE-SHE scholarship scheme has not been shelved but is undergoing a redesign to strengthen its implementation and alignment with emerging science priorities. Since its inception, the program has benefited 136,298 students with a total disbursement of Rs. 2,784.15 crore across India. The document also outlines additional government initiatives supporting international scientific research for Indian scholars and students with disabilities.
Key Points / Main Content
Status of the INSPIRE-SHE Scheme
The government has officially confirmed the scheme is active and has not been discontinued.
A redesign process is currently underway to improve the implementation framework and strengthen program objectives.
The initiative is being updated to better align with current priorities in science research and education.
Scholarship Disbursement Data
Total beneficiaries nationwide stand at 136,298 students.
The cumulative amount disbursed since the scheme's inception is Rs. 2,784.15 crore.
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest participation with 60,263 beneficiaries and Rs. 916.64 crore in funding.
Other high-impact states include Rajasthan (23,467 beneficiaries) and Karnataka (26,164 beneficiaries).
International Research and Mentorship Initiatives
INSPIRE-SHE Mentorship Grant: 271 scholars have successfully completed summer research mentorship projects abroad.
WARI Fellowship: A collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) has supported 63 researchers in advanced water research at U.S. institutions.
National Overseas Scholarship Scheme: Managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this provides financial aid to students with benchmark disabilities for Master's and Ph.D. programs abroad; 55 beneficiaries have pursued doctoral studies internationally in the last five years.
Impact Analysis
Students and Research ScholarsImpact
They retain access to critical financial support for higher education and specialized mentorship opportunities both domestically and internationally.
Action Required
Prospective and current scholars should stay informed regarding the updated implementation framework once the scheme redesign is finalized.
Ministry of Science & Technology (Department of Science and Technology)Impact
The Ministry is responsible for the strategic redesign and alignment of the flagship scheme to meet modern scientific standards.
Action Required
The Department must conclude the redesign process to improve the framework and continue overseeing international fellowship collaborations like WARI.
Persons with Benchmark DisabilitiesImpact
Eligible individuals continue to receive targeted financial assistance for pursuing advanced degrees at foreign universities.
Action Required
Eligible candidates should apply through the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to access funding for overseas Master's and Ph.D. programs.
Key Entities Referenced
INSPIRE-SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) Scheme: A flagship scholarship program for science education and research, currently undergoing redesign to strengthen implementation and align with emerging priorities.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The primary government department responsible for implementing the INSPIRE-SHE scheme and the Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) Fellowship.
National Overseas Scholarship Scheme: A program managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that provides financial assistance to students with disabilities for pursuing Master's and Ph.D. degrees abroad.
Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) Fellowship: A research initiative implemented by DST in collaboration with the IUSSTF to support young researchers in conducting water research at U.S. institutions.
Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF): An international collaborative body that partner with DST to implement the WARI Fellowship for advanced research.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: INSPIRE-SHE
SCHOLARSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
प्रव तथ: 13 AUG 2026 3:48PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has not shelved its flagship INSPIRE-SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) Scheme.
The scheme is presently under redesign to further strengthen its objectives, improve its implementation
framework, and align it with emerging priorities in science education and research.
The state-wise details of the total scholarship amount disbursed and the number of students benefited
under the scheme since its inception are given below:
S. No. State/UTs Students benefitted Amount disbursed
(Rs.in Cr.)
1 Andaman And Nicobar 02 0.06
Islands
2 Andhra Pradesh 1059 14.82
3 Assam 1043 23.66
4 Bihar 3136 48.39
5 Chandigarh 1290 13.91
6 Chhattisgarh 2531 53.13
7 Delhi 670 28.71
8 Goa 37 0.97
9 Gujarat 1045 24.23
10 Haryana 2044 42.34
11 Himachal Pradesh 2219 42.16
12 Jammu And Kashmir 251 6.03S. No. State/UTs Students benefitted Amount disbursed
(Rs.in Cr.)
13 Jharkhand 451 9.83
14 Karnataka 26164 157.37
15 Kerala 5393 108.22
16 Madhya Pradesh 7795 133.75
17 Maharashtra 5487 103.22
18 Manipur 1452 21.62
19 Meghalaya 319 5.38
20 Mizoram 39 0.59
21 Nagaland 156 2.86
22 Odisha 2385 35.35
23 Punjab 859 20.17
24 Puducherry 13 0.25
25 Rajasthan 23467 472.57
26 Sikkim 1 0.018
27 Tamil Nadu 384 6.51
28 Telangana 269 6.32
29 The Dadra & Nagar Haveli 2 0.02
& Daman & Diu
30 Tripura 18 0.74
31 Uttar Pradesh 60263 916.64
32 Uttarakhand 6554 131.31S. No. State/UTs Students benefitted Amount disbursed
(Rs.in Cr.)
33 West Bengal 15958 353.00
Total 136298 2784.15
The Government supports Indian students pursuing scientific research abroad through several scholarship
schemes. Under the INSPIRE-SHE Mentorship Grant of the Department of Science and Technology
(DST), 271 scholars have successfully completed summer research mentorship project abroad so far. The
Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) Fellowship, implemented by DST in collaboration with
the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), enables young researchers to undertake
advanced water research at leading U.S. institutions, with 63 participants (43 interns and 20 fellows)
supported across two phases. Additionally, the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme of Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment provide financial assistance to eligible persons with benchmark
disabilities to pursue Master's and Ph.D. programmes, including scientific research, at foreign universities,
under which 55 beneficiaries have pursued Ph.D. studies abroad during the last five years.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Ind. Charge) Science & Technology; Earth Sciences
and Minister of State PMO; Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Department of Atomic Energy
and Space Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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