Overview
The Ministry of Science & Technology answered a Rajya Sabha question on the progress of the INSPIRE Programme for the last five years. The response, given by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh, highlighted the growth in student participation, scholarship awards, and fellowship grants, especially from rural and remote districts.
Key Developments (2021‑26)
- INSPIRE‑MANAK beneficiaries rose from 52,720 in 2021‑22 to 49,805 in 2025‑26, showing steady outreach among school‑going students (Classes VI‑XII).
- INSPIRE‑SHE scholarships increased from 18,039 to 24,276, supporting meritorious under‑graduates and post‑graduates in natural and basic sciences.
- INSPIRE Fellowship numbers grew to 3,364 in 2025‑26, enabling Ph.D. candidates to receive a monthly stipend of ₹37,000 (JRF) or ₹42,000 (SRF) plus allowances.
- INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship, aimed at post‑doctoral researchers, saw a rise to 477 fellows in 2025‑26, each receiving ₹1,25,000 per month and a research grant of ₹35 lakh.
- Targeted outreach through State Education Departments, District Education Officers, and digital platforms expanded participation from aspirational districts.
- Mentorship programmes with premier institutions such as IITs, NITs, and IISERs provided guidance on prototype development and research.
Important Facts
The scheme’s financial components are:
- INSPIRE‑MANAK: No direct cash award; emphasis on idea incubation and exhibition.
- INSPIRE‑SHE: ₹80,000 per year per scholarship.
- INSPIRE Fellowship: ₹37,000 (JRF) / ₹42,000 (SRF) per month, plus House Rent Allowance and an annual contingency grant of ₹20,000.
- INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship: ₹1,25,000 per month, annual increment of ₹2,000, and a total research grant of ₹35 lakh.
All components include age relaxations for reserved categories, ensuring inclusivity.
Exam Relevance
The INSPIRE Programme illustrates how the government uses targeted financial incentives and capacity‑building measures to develop a scientific temper (GS1: Indian Heritage & Culture) and strengthen the innovation ecosystem (GS3: Science & Technology). Aspirants should note:
- Policy design that links school‑level creativity (MANAK) with higher‑education scholarships (SHE) and research fellowships.
- Use of inter‑ministerial coordination (Education, Science & Technology) for outreach in rural and remote areas.
- Impact assessment through yearly beneficiary data, a practice relevant for questions on programme evaluation.
Way Forward
To deepen impact, the Ministry could:
- Introduce a modest cash award for MANAK winners to motivate sustained innovation.
- Expand mentorship to include industry partners, bridging academia‑industry gaps.
- Strengthen monitoring by publishing disaggregated data on gender, caste, and region.
- Integrate INSPIRE activities with the National Education Policy’s emphasis on experiential learning.
These steps would further democratise access to scientific research and align with India’s goal of becoming a knowledge‑driven economy.