Executive Summary:
This document provides details on student selections under the INSPIRE scheme and the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) in Uttar Pradesh. It clarifies that the Ministry of Education does not implement the National Income Supported Secondary Scholarship Scheme, but rather the NMMSS. Data on beneficiaries and selected students for both schemes in Uttar Pradesh over the last five years is included, though district-wise data is not maintained by the Department of Education. The document answers questions raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3912 on August 18, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS):
* Implemented since 2008 to award scholarships to meritorious students from economically weaker sections (parental income not exceeding Rs. 3.50 lakh per annum).
* Aims to reduce dropout rates after class VIII and encourage secondary education.
* Provides one lakh fresh scholarships of Rs. 12,000 per annum to selected students in class IX.
* Scholarships are renewable from classes X to XII for study in State Government, Government-aided, and Local body schools.
* Implemented across the country, with quota allocations to States and UTs based on population and enrolment.
* Uttar Pradesh's allocated quota is 15,143.
* District-wise data is not maintained.
* The number of beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh for the last five years is as follows:
* 2020-21: 5,141
* 2021-22: 5,772
* 2022-23: 9,837
* 2023-24: 16,528
* 2024-25: 25,010
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme:
* Implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
* Aims to attract meritorious youth to study basic and natural sciences at the college and university level.
* Encourages research careers in basic and applied science areas, including engineering, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences.
* District-wise data is provided in Annexure II.
* 2020-21: 5,206
* 2021-22: 5,919
* 2022-23: 4,783
* 2023-24: 7,307
* 2024-25: 11,838
Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan:
* Implemented under Samagra Shiksha to promote science and maths learning from upper primary to senior secondary levels.
* Implemented by States/UTs as per their Annual Work Plan approved by the Project Approval Board.
* The Department does not maintain district-wise data.
Impact Analysis:
Students:
* Impact: Meritorious students from economically weaker sections and those interested in science and research benefit from scholarships and opportunities to pursue their education and careers.
* Action Required: Apply for the NMMSS or INSPIRE scheme if eligible and interested.
Schools (State Government, Government-aided, and Local body schools):
* Impact: Increased enrolment and retention of students, particularly in secondary classes.
* Action Required: Support eligible students in applying for and maintaining their scholarships.
State Governments and UTs:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan according to their approved Annual Work Plans.
* Action Required: Implement the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan as per their approved plans.
Department of Education:
* Impact: Oversight and monitoring of the NMMSS.
* Action Required: Continue implementing the NMMSS and track the number of beneficiaries in each state.
Department of Science and Technology (DST):
* Impact: Implementation of the INSPIRE Scheme.
* Action Required: Continue implementing the INSPIRE Scheme and track the number of students selected.
Key Entities Referenced
INSPIRE Scheme: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research, a scheme implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to attract meritorious youth to study basic and natural sciences and pursue research careers.
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS): A Central Sector Scheme implemented since 2008 to award scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to prevent dropouts at class VIII and encourage secondary education.
Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan: A programmative norm implemented under Samagra Shiksha to promote science and maths learning at upper primary to Senior Secondary Level.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where the INSPIRE Scheme and NMMSS are implemented, with a specific quota of 15143 scholarships under NMMSS.
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for implementing the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme and overseeing education-related initiatives.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The department implementing the INSPIRE Scheme, aimed at promoting science education and research.
Samagra Shiksha: An overarching program under which Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan is implemented to promote science and mathematics learning.
Shri Devesh Shakya: Member of Parliament who asked the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3912 regarding the INSPIRE and NMMS Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3912
ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
Students Selected under INSPIRE and NMMS Scheme
†3912. Shri Devesh Shakya:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the total number of students selected under INSPIRE Scheme, National Income-
Supported Secondary Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) and Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan in the State
of Uttar Pradesh during the last five years, district-wise including Etawah, Auraiya, Kasganj, Etah,
Mainpuri, Kannauj, Chandauli, Aonla and Machhlishahr;
(b) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to honour the teachers working under
these schemes and if so, the details thereof along with the details of selected teachers and schools;
and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (c): Ministry of Education is not implementing National Income-Supported Secondary
Scholarship Scheme, however, Central Sector Scheme namely ‘National Means-cum-Merit
Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is being implemented since 2008 with the objective to award
scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections whose parental income is
not more than Rs. 3.50 lakh per annum to arrest their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to
continue the study at secondary stage. One lakh fresh scholarships @ of Rs.12000/- per annum
per students are awarded to selected students for class IX every year and their continuation/renewal
in classes X to XII for study in State Government, Government-aided and Local body schools
under the scheme. The scheme is being implemented across the country including Uttar Pradesh
State. All States and UTs are allocated a quota based on population and enrolment. The allotted
quota for Uttar Pradesh is 15143. District-wise data is not maintained in the Department. The
number of beneficiaries under the scheme in Uttar Pradesh State during the last 5 years is given at
Annexure-I.Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing “Innovation in Science
Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)” Scheme which aims to attract meritorious youth to study
basic and natural sciences at the college and university level and to pursue research careers in both
basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture and veterinary
sciences. The details of the district-wise total number of students selected under INSPIRE Scheme
during last five year in UP are given at Annexure-II.
Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan is one of the programmative norms implemented under
Samagra Shiksha to promote science and maths learning at upper primary to Senior Secondary
Level. The programme is implemented by the State/ UTs as per their Annual Work Plan approved
by the Project Approval Board. The details of district-wise data is not maintained by the
Department.
****Annexure-I
Annexure referred to in Part (a) of the reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred
Question No. 3912 asked by Shri Devesh Shakya, Hon’ble Member of
Parliament answered on 18.08.2025 regarding “Students Selected under
INSPIRE and NMMS Scheme"
The number of beneficiaries under the NMMS Scheme in Uttar Pradesh
during last five years.
Number of Scholarships
Financial Year (F.Y.)
(Fresh +Renewals)
2020-21 5141
2021-22 5772
2022-23 9837
2023-24 16528
2024-25 25010Annexure-II
Annexure referred to in Part (a) of the reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred
Question No. 3912 asked by Shri Devesh Shakya, Hon’ble Member of
Parliament answered on 18.08.2025 regarding “Students Selected under
INSPIRE and NMMS Scheme"
List of students selected under the INSPIRE Scheme from Uttar Pradesh
in the last five year is given below:
Number of students selected
Financial Year (F.Y.)
under INSPIRE Scheme
2020-21 5206
2021-22 5919
2022-237 4783
2023-24 7307
2024-25 11838