The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing scientific talent through the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) flagship Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Programme, which has supported more than 3.75 lakh students and young researchers across its four major components during the last five years. The information was shared by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that the INSPIRE Programme has been systematically nurturing scientific talent at different stages of the academic and research pipeline through four major components INSPIRE MANAK, INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), INSPIRE Fellowship, and INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship. Together, these initiatives encourage innovation among school students, support meritorious students pursuing higher education in basic sciences, promote doctoral research, and provide opportunities for outstanding postdoctoral researchers to establish independent research careers.

The Minister said INSPIRE-MANAK promotes scientific creativity among students of Classes VI to XII by encouraging original ideas and innovations. INSPIRE-SHE awards 12,000 scholarships every year, each valued at 80,000, to meritorious students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in natural and basic sciences. INSPIRE Fellowship provides financial support for doctoral research for up to five years, while the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship enables outstanding postdoctoral researchers to undertake independent research with fellowship support and research grants.

Sharing the programme's achievements, Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that during 2025-26, 49,805 students were supported under INSPIRE-MANAK, 24,276 students received INSPIRE-SHE scholarships, 3,364 researchers benefited under INSPIRE Fellowship, and 477 researchers were supported through the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship. Over the last five years, these four components have collectively supported more than 3.75 lakh beneficiaries across the country.

The Minister highlighted that the Government has undertaken several targeted interventions to expand the reach and inclusivity of the INSPIRE Programme, particularly in rural, remote and aspirational districts. These measures include extensive dissemination of programme information through State Education Departments, District Education Officers, schools and digital platforms, along with awareness campaigns, orientation programmes, webinars and capacity-building workshops for teachers and school authorities.

To identify and nurture young innovators, District, State and National Level Exhibitions and Project Competitions are regularly organised under INSPIRE-MANAK. Selected students are also provided mentorship through collaborations with premier institutions including IITs, NITs, IISERs and other leading scientific organisations to help them develop prototypes and strengthen their research and innovation capabilities.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said these sustained interventions have significantly strengthened scientific temper, promoted grassroots innovation, expanded equitable access to science education and research opportunities, and ensured representation of young scientific talent from every region of the country. A growing number of students from rural and remote districts are benefiting through innovation grants, mentoring support and opportunities to showcase their scientific talent on national platforms.

The Minister also shared State-specific data, informing that Odisha and Rajasthan have continued to record significant participation under different INSPIRE components. The Government remains committed to further promoting the INSPIRE Programme to encourage more meritorious students to pursue higher education and research in science while strengthening India's innovation ecosystem and scientific workforce.

*****

NKR/AK

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2287941) आगंतुक पटल : 177