INSPIRE Scheme

INSPIRE Scheme Latest News

Research scholars across India have raised concerns over non-receipt of INSPIRE fellowships funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for periods ranging from 8 to 13 months.

About INSPIRE Scheme

• The INSPIRE Scheme (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
• It was launched in 2008 with a vision to build a critical human resource base that can strengthen India’s Science & Technology and R&D ecosystem.
• Unlike competitive scholarship schemes, INSPIRE does not conduct any entrance examinations. It instead relies on merit-based identification through existing academic performance metrics.

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What is the INSPIRE Fellowship?

• The INSPIRE Fellowship is a component of the DST’s INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) scheme, launched in 2008 to promote research careers in basic sciences.
• The scheme aims to nurture talent and attract top-performing students to scientific research rather than more lucrative careers in engineering, IT, or finance.
• Annually, about 1,000 scholars are selected for the fellowship based on academic merit and the quality of their research proposals.

Eligibility for INSPIRE Fellowship

• Must be a first-rank holder in postgraduate courses in science, applied sciences, or engineering, OR
• An INSPIRE scholar with at least 70% aggregate marks through UG and PG and previously in the top 1% of Class XII board exams or top performers in national level exams like IIT-JEE.
• A screening committee evaluates the research proposal before awarding the fellowship.

Key Features of the INSPIRE Scheme

• Implemented by DST with a total outlay of ₹1,979 crore in the 11th Plan and ₹2,200 crore in the 12th Plan.
• Aims to build a human resource base in basic and natural sciences.
• Comprises three components:
  • SEATS (Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent) – For school students to foster interest in science.
  • SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) – For undergraduate and postgraduate science students.
  • AORC (Assured Opportunity for Research Careers) – Includes INSPIRE Fellowships and Faculty Awards.

INSPIRE Scheme FAQs

Q1: What does INSPIRE stand for?
Ans: INSPIRE stands for “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research”, a flagship scheme by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.

Q2: What is the objective of the INSPIRE Scheme?
Ans: The scheme aims to attract talented students to science from an early age and nurture future scientific manpower for research and innovation.

Q3: What are the major components of the INSPIRE Scheme?
Ans: The scheme has three components: (1) INSPIRE Award (for school students), (2) Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), and (3) INSPIRE Fellowship (for doctoral studies).

Source: TH