INSPIRE Scheme

The scheme has three components: (1) INSPIRE Award (for school students), (2) Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), and (3) INSPIRE Fellowship (for doctoral studies).

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.

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.
  • 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

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