INSPIRE Scholarship is an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The initiative aims at attracting and nurturing young talent towards a career in science and research. For the scholarship at INSPIRE, a student must be a citizen of India and fall in the age bracket of 17 to 22 years. They should have obtained any recognized State or Central Board of India Class XII examination result falling within the top 1 percent of their Class XII results.
Key Highlights of Inspire Scholarship 2025
The details are tabulated below:
Eligibility Criteria for INSPIRE Scholarship
Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria in order to apply for INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education, which emphasizes on academic merit and Science Background.
- Age Criteria: Applicants should be between 17-22 years of old.
- Academic Merit: The student appearing in the top 1% in Class XII examination from any State or Central Board in India.
- Admission to Course: The applicant is enrolled in B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. courses in natural and basic sciences level in previous year of Class 12 .
- Competitive Exam Ranks: Students who have ranked in the top 10,000 in JEE (Main/Advanced) or NEET and are pursuing eligible science courses.
- Other Recognitions: KVPY, NTSE, JBNSTS scholarship recipients or International Olympiad medal winners who are pursuing relevant science courses.
Subjects Covered Under the INSPIRE Scholarship
The following subjects are covered under INSPIRE Scholarship:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Statistics
- Geology
- Astrophysics
- Botany
- Astronomy
- Electronics
- Zoology
- Biochemistry
- Anthropology
- Microbiology
- Geophysics
- Geochemistry
- Oceanic Sciences
- Ecology
- Biophysics
- Genetics
- Marine Biology
- Atmospheric Sciences
What is The Last Date for Applying for INSPIRE Scholarship 2025?
INSPIRE Scholarship Usually opens its application form for students during October every month of the year and closes in December.
Every year, 12,000 scholarships are offered to students who lie between 17 and 22 years of age. Each selected student is given the amount of ₹80,000 per annum in direct scholarship of ₹60,000 and ₹20,000 towards summer research projects under mentors with experience. It is a very good effort at instilling scientific curiosity and innovation in young minds.
Steps for Applying for INSPIRE Scholarship
The application for the INSPIRE Scholarship undergoes several processes that need careful handling to acquire the scholarship successfully. Here's a step-to-step guide for applying for this scholarship.
1. Registration
First of all, the INSPIRE Scholarship registration should be done through the official INSPIRE Scholarship portal. This asks for the applicant to log in by clicking on "New User" and then to provide some basic information, such as name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number. After this step is completed successfully, then there is the creation of the login credentials.
2. Login
If there is successful registration, he shall be permitted to log into the portal using his e-mail ID and password and will be accessed to an application form on which he may fill up the required details. Such credentials must be used in all the application procedures.
3. Application Form Filling
Filling up an application form is the third procedure. Applicants have to provide their personal details, such as name, address, and contact details. In addition, they are supposed to provide their academic details including marks scored in Class XII, along with the examination board. Along with that, course enrollment details also have to be put in by showing the degree course and respective institute where he or she is studying currently. It is of the highest importance as any mismatch at the time of selection will be noticed.
4. Uploading Necessary Documents
After filling the application form, candidates need to upload scanned copies of necessary documents. These typically include:
- Class XII mark sheet
- Proof of admission in a valid science course (admission letter or ID card)
- Certificates for achievements in JEE, NEET, KVPY, NTSE, JBNSTS, or International Olympiads (if applicable)
- Letter of commendation by the Head of the Institution
- Photograph and signature in passport size
All documents must be clear and legible to avoid rejection.
5. Verification and Application Submission
The candidates have to review all the information entered to prevent errors and missing and therefore, once they have completed all the details, they will apply online. Upon success, the applicants should keep the application form and receipt confirmation for future use.
So, all the applicants need to do these steps properly that are mentioned above for having chances of their selection in this INSPIRE Scholarship scheme smoothly.
INSPIRE Scholarship Document Required
When you apply for the Inspire 2025 scholarship, please attach scanned versions of the following documents:
- Passport-size photo (required for all candidates).
- 10th grade mark sheet (required for all applicants).
- 12th grade mark sheet (required for all applicants).
- Caste Certificate (applicable to OBC/SC/ST applicants).
- Certificate of rank in a national-level competitive admission exam (applicable if applying under this category).
- Certificate demonstrating an award in JBNSTS/NTSE/International Olympic Medals (applicable if applying in this area)
- Endorsement paper signed by the Principal/Director/Registrar of your current college/institute/university (required for all applicants).
- Eligibility/Advisory Note (optional, not required)
Selection Process
The selection process is strictly on the basis of merit and eligibility criteria.
- Merit list will be prepared on the basis of board examination performance and ranks in specific competitive exams.
- The selected candidates are communicated through the INSPIRE portal.
INSPIRE Scholarship Benefits and Rewards
Selected Students get Scholarship amount worth ₹80,000 every year. This will include cash worth ₹60,000 and ₹20,000 for summer research projects may be furnished as summertime attachment charges for college kids collaborating within the summer season studies assignment.
All selected Students are required to go for summer research tasks under the guidance of an active researcher at an identified studies center in India.
Educational Enrollment:
- It is available for B.Sc., B.S., and integrated M.Sc./M.S. levels in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, and other basic sciences.
- Professional courses such as Engineering, Medicine, and Agriculture are excluded.
INSPIRE Scholarship Renewal
The renewal of the Inspire Scholarship is mostly determined by the candidate's academic achievement. Students must qualify for renewal.
- Keep the performance report and mark sheet for 12 months after the results are announced.
- Students who have received 60% or better marks (equivalent to a GPA of 7.0 or above) in their university/college examinations are eligible to continue receiving the DST Inspire Scholarship in 2025.
- Students who did not take the exams or did not get the required scores would not be eligible for scholarship renewal.
INSPIRE Scholarship Status Check
Due to the high volume of applications, the selection procedure takes at least four months from the deadline. Once selected, all candidates will get a Provisional Offer Letter via their web portal account, confirming their scholarship status. Provisionally selected students must join in to the online site to view and download their offer letter. The list of selected and rejected students will be prominently published on the INSPIRE Web Portal's home page. Selected candidates must upload the appropriate documentation to their online portal within the timeframe mentioned in the offer letter to allow for further processing by the Department.
INSPIRE Scholarship Terms and Conditions
Students must follow specific rules when applying for INSPIRE Scholarship:
The INSPIRE-SHE Scholarship is tenable for a maximum period of five years, from the first year of a B.Sc., BS, or Integrated M.Sc./MS course and till completion (whichever is earlier).
- Incomplete application forms will be rejected, and applicants are asked to make sure that they submit all the required documents.
- This Scholarship does not cover courses of study in defence science, military science, agriculture, economics, education (B.Sc.-B.Ed.), computer science, information technology, physical education, defence studies, medicine, or defence science, and other professional courses is exempted by this scholarship.
- Applicants must have a savings bank account of their own in any State Bank of India (SBI) branch. They are not advised to open joint accounts, joint accounts are not allowed.
- Shortlisted candidates are to give an annual performance report (sign of institution head) and course transcript to qualify for the next year's scholarship.
- Institution head (vice chancellor, principal, or dean) is required to approve or reject further acceptance of scholarship by the student in the performance report.
- First scholarship payment is provided only upon clearance of the performance report and marksheet of first year.
- If the Students academic performance is satisfactory, ₹1,20,000 for two years will be disbursed in the second year.
- Other students who have already applied for some other scholarship are not eligible to get the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship.
INSPIRE Scholarship Track Record of Disbursement
Every year, the INSPIRE scholarship amount enables many people develop an interest in science and innovation. With various programs, it began with an initial budget allocation of Rs. 1979.25 crores. With its inception in 2008, the budget reallocation is Rs. 2200 crore. The funds are transferred directly to the benefactors' bank accounts, with the candidates and universities receiving the direct benefit.
