- The INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) is run by the Department of Science and Technology and offers Rs 80,000 per year to 10,000 students in the natural and basic sciences
- This is a Rs 60,000 annual scholarship paid as Rs 5,000 every month plus a Rs 20,000 summer mentorship grant
- Applications are made online at online-inspire.gov.in and there is no separate entrance exam.
What Is the INSPIRE Scholarship (SHE)?
INSPIRE stands for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research, a Department of Science and Technology programme launched in 2008. Its Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) component gives Rs 80,000 per year to talented students pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees in the natural and basic sciences, aiming to build India's research talent pool.
INSPIRE is one of the largest science-talent programmes in India, designed to attract young students to research careers at an early age. The scheme has three components: the Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS), the Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), and Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC). The SHE component covers the scholarship discussed in this guide.
- Full form: Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research - Scholarship for Higher Education
- Run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India
- Amount: Rs 80,000 per year for up to 5 years or until course completion
- Awarded to 10,000 meritorious science students every year
Who Is Eligible for the INSPIRE Scholarship?
To qualify for INSPIRE-SHE, students aged 17 to 22 must rank in the top 1 percent of their Class 12 board exam, or secure a rank within the top 10,000 in JEE Advanced or NEET, and then enrol in a natural or basic science degree at a recognised Indian institution.
Eligibility is based purely on academic merit. A candidate must satisfy any one of the qualifying routes below and must be studying, or planning to study, natural and basic sciences at the graduate or post-graduate level.
- Rank in the top 1 percent in Class 12 at any recognised State or Central board, and enrol in a natural or basic science degree.
- Secure a rank within the top 10,000 in JEE Advanced or NEET and pursue natural or basic sciences.
- Gain direct admission to IISER, NISER, the DAE Centre for Basic Sciences (Mumbai) or Visva-Bharati through their own selection routes.
- Be a KVPY, NTSE or JBNSTS scholar, or a Science Olympiad medallist, studying natural or basic sciences.
How Much Is the INSPIRE Scholarship Amount?
The INSPIRE Scholarship provides Rs 80,000 per year to each scholar. This is split into a Rs 60,000 annual scholarship, disbursed as Rs 5,000 every month, and a Rs 20,000 mentorship grant for a compulsory summer research project of six to eight weeks under a mentor at a recognised institution.
| INSPIRE-SHE Benefit (2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual scholarship | Rs 60,000 per year (Rs 5,000 per month) |
| Summer mentorship grant | Rs 20,000 per year |
| Total support per scholar | Rs 80,000 per year |
| Scholarships awarded | 10,000 every year |
| Duration | Up to 5 years or until course completion |
The Rs 20,000 mentorship grant is paid only when the scholar completes an annual summer research internship of at least six to eight weeks under a research supervisor at a recognised university, institute or laboratory.
Which Courses and Subjects Are Covered?
INSPIRE-SHE supports only natural and basic science degrees, not professional or applied courses. Eligible programmes include B.Sc, B.S, integrated M.Sc, M.S and M.Sc in subjects such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, statistics, geology, astrophysics, electronics, microbiology, biochemistry, geophysics, and atmospheric and oceanic sciences at recognised Indian universities and institutes.
- Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology
- Statistics, Geology, Astrophysics and Astronomy
- Electronics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anthropology, Geophysics and Geochemistry
- Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanic Sciences
How Does the INSPIRE Selection Process Work?
INSPIRE-SHE conducts no separate entrance exam; selection is purely merit-based. After the online application window closes, the Department of Science and Technology verifies eligibility and academic records, then publishes a list of selected candidates. Chosen scholars receive an offer letter on the web portal and must submit any additional documents requested for final approval.
Because there is no exam, your Class 12 board result or your JEE Advanced or NEET rank, together with the required documents, decides the outcome. Keeping accurate scans and a valid bank account ready helps avoid delays in disbursement after selection.
What Documents Are Required to Apply?
Applicants must upload scanned copies of key documents while filling the INSPIRE-SHE form online. These prove identity, eligibility and academic merit. Missing or incorrect documents can lead to rejection, so candidates should keep clear scans ready before starting the application. The main documents required for the scholarship are listed below.
- Passport-sized photograph
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Rank card or mark sheet of JEE Main or Advanced, NEET, KVPY, JBNSTS, NTSE or Science Olympiad, as applicable
- Endorsement form signed by the Principal, Director or Registrar of the college or university
- Community certificate for OBC, SC or ST candidates, where applicable
- Bank account details for scholarship disbursement
How Do You Apply for INSPIRE Online?
Applications for INSPIRE-SHE are submitted entirely online at online-inspire.gov.in; no postal submission is needed. Candidates register on the portal, complete the SHE application form carefully, upload the required documents, and submit before the deadline. Details cannot be edited after submission, so all information must be checked thoroughly before the final submit.
- Register with your details on online-inspire.gov.in to create an account.
- Fill the INSPIRE-SHE application form accurately and select your qualifying route.
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the prescribed format.
- Review every entry, then submit the form before the deadline.
How Is the INSPIRE Scholarship Renewed?
The INSPIRE Scholarship is renewed each year until the course is completed, subject to satisfactory academic performance. Scholars must maintain the required grades and complete their annual summer research project. Renewal is recommended by the head of the college or university and processed through the online portal based on the scholar's yearly progress.
What Is the INSPIRE Scholarship Cut-off?
There is no single national cut-off for INSPIRE-SHE. Eligibility is fixed by the top 1 percent rule, so the qualifying Class 12 percentage differs by board and state each year. Students clearing the top-1-percent board threshold, or ranking within the top 10,000 in JEE Advanced or NEET, meet the merit bar.
Because each board sets a different top 1 percent percentage every year, there is no fixed marks figure to target. Aim for the highest possible Class 12 score, or a strong JEE Advanced or NEET rank, to stay within the qualifying band.