INSPIRE Scheme Overview: Funding, School Participation & Innovation Outcomes (Lok Sabha Reply, 18 Mar 2026)

<h2>Overview</h2> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research — a DST programme to nurture scientific talent from school to research level (GS3: Science & Technology)">INSPIRE</span> Scheme, administered by the Department of Science &amp; Technology (DST), aims to attract bright youth to basic and natural sciences and build a robust R&amp;D base. It operates through five inter‑linked components that support students from Class VI to post‑doctoral researchers.</p> <h3>Key Developments (2021‑2026)</h3> <ul> <li><strong>INSPIRE‑MANAK</strong>: Schools nominate up to five students (age 10‑17) via the <span class="key-term" data-definition="e‑Management of INSPIRE Awards Scheme — an online portal for school nominations and award processing (GS3: Science & Technology)">e‑MIAS</span> portal. Selected candidates receive <strong>₹10,000</strong> (DBT) to develop projects and showcase them at district, state and national levels.</li> <li><strong>INSPIRE Internship</strong>: Five‑day residential science camps for the top 1% of Class X students (~50,000 annually), featuring interactions with eminent scientists and Nobel Laureates.</li> <li><strong>Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)</strong>: Up to <strong>₹80,000 per annum</strong> for 12,000 students (age 17‑22) pursuing B.Sc./M.Sc. in basic sciences, coupled with mentorship.</li> <li><strong>INSPIRE Fellowship (PhD)</strong>: Monthly stipend equivalent to <span class="key-term" data-definition="CSIR‑UGC NET — a national eligibility test for research fellowships; JRF = Junior Research Fellowship, SRF = Senior Research Fellowship (GS3: Science & Technology)">CSIR‑UGC NET</span> (<strong>₹37,000</strong> as JRF, <strong>₹42,000</strong> as SRF) plus HRA and a contingency grant of <strong>₹20,000 per year</strong> for up to five years.</li> <li><strong>INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship</strong>: Five‑year post‑doctoral fellowship for early‑career researchers (age 27‑32) with a monthly honorarium of <strong>₹1,25,000</strong>, annual increments and a research grant of <strong>₹35 lakh</strong>.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts (Last Five Years)</h3> <ul> <li>Total funds allocated, released and utilized are detailed in the official tables (figures in crore rupees).</li> <li>Number of schools registered on <span class="key-term" data-definition="e‑MIAS portal — the digital platform for INSPIRE award nominations and evaluations (GS3: Science & Technology)">e‑MIAS</span> across states/UTs is provided (tables omitted for brevity).</li> <li>Uttar Pradesh has <strong>73,873</strong> government schools on the portal; <strong>10,988</strong> students from these schools received MANAK awards.</li> <li>From UP, <strong>93</strong> project ideas received prototype funding; <strong>10</strong> were filed for patents and <strong>3</strong> patents have been granted.</li> </ul> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the INSPIRE Scheme is essential for GS‑III (Science &amp; Technology) and GS‑II (Polity) as it illustrates how the government structures talent‑pipeline policies, the role of central ministries, and the use of financial incentives to boost indigenous R&amp;D. The scheme also reflects inter‑ministerial coordination with bodies like the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Innovation Foundation — an autonomous body under DST that promotes grassroots innovation and supports patent filing (GS3: Science & Technology)">NIF</span> and premier institutions (IITs, NITs, IISERs). Questions on budget allocation, implementation challenges and impact assessment are typical in the UPSC mains.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <ul> <li>Strengthen outreach in rural and educationally backward districts through more teacher‑training modules and digital awareness campaigns.</li> <li>Expand mentorship linkages with industry and international research labs to enhance the quality of projects.</li> <li>Introduce a monitoring framework to track conversion of MANAK prototypes into commercial products or patents.</li> <li>Increase the stipend and research grant amounts to keep pace with inflation and global standards, thereby retaining talent.</li> </ul> <p>Overall, the INSPIRE Scheme represents a comprehensive, multi‑tiered approach to building India’s scientific manpower, a critical component of the nation’s innovation ecosystem and a frequent topic in UPSC examinations.</p>