Inspire Scholarship DST 2026: ₹80,000/Year for Science Students

INSPIRE छात्रवृत्ति (DST) 2026: साइंस स्टूडेंट्स के लिए पूरी गाइड

Quick facts: ₹80,000 per year for students pursuing BSc / MSc / Integrated Science at recognized institutions · awarded to top 1% in Class 12 OR top KVPY/Olympiad/NTSE achievers · 10,000 scholarships per year · portal online-inspire.gov.in.

The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Scholarship is the Department of Science and Technology’s flagship programme to attract India’s brightest students into pure science careers. With ₹80,000 per year (among India’s highest academic scholarships), INSPIRE covers both tuition and a generous research/mentorship component. 10,000 selections per year makes it competitive but very rewarding.

INSPIRE के तीन घटक — Three Components

INSPIRE Award (Class 6-10): smaller recognition (₹10,000) for school science exhibits
INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE): ₹80,000/year for UG/Integrated PG students — this guide covers this
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship: for post-PhD researchers

INSPIRE-SHE लाभ — Benefits (INSPIRE-SHE)

₹60,000 scholarship (direct DBT) + ₹20,000 Mentorship Grant = ₹80,000/year total
Duration: up to 5 years (BSc 3 years + MSc 2 years, or Integrated 5 years)
Additional summer internship grant of ₹20,000 for hands-on lab work in top research institutions
Priority access to IISc, IITs, IISERs, NISER for internships

पात्रता — Who Qualifies

Eligibility has multiple pathways. Qualify through any one of these:

Path 1: Top 1% in Class 12 Board Exams

Top 1% in your state board’s Class 12 exam in science stream
Admission to a recognized BSc / BS / Integrated MSc / Integrated MS in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, or related course

Path 2: KVPY Fellowship holders

KVPY (Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana) fellows — automatic qualification
(Note: KVPY was discontinued in 2023; existing holders from older batches still qualify)

Path 3: International Olympiad achievers

Medal winners in International Science/Math/Informatics Olympiads representing India

Path 4: NTSE Scholars

National Talent Search Examination qualifiers
(NTSE too has been restructured; older scholars still eligible if documented)

Path 5: Other

Top ranks in JEE Advanced who opt for Natural Sciences
NEET top ranks who opt for basic medical sciences (limited slots)

आवश्यक दस्तावेज़ — Documents Required

Class 12 marksheet (showing top 1% eligibility)
KVPY / Olympiad / NTSE certificate (if qualifying that way)
Admission letter to BSc / Integrated course
Aadhaar card + bank passbook (Aadhaar-seeded)
Income certificate (recommended but not mandatory — no income cap on INSPIRE!)
Bonafide certificate from current institution
Passport photo

Big Note: No Income Cap!

Unlike most Indian scholarships, INSPIRE has no family income cap. Any student meeting merit criteria is eligible regardless of family income. This makes it especially attractive for middle-class and upper-middle-class families who don’t qualify for income-based schemes.

आवेदन प्रक्रिया — How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-registration

Open https://online-inspire.gov.in
Click “Student Login” → “Register”
Use mobile + email + 12th roll number + school board
OTP verification

Step 2: Fill application

Personal details (name, DOB, Aadhaar, category)
Academic record: – Class 12 marks + board – Qualifying path: Top 1% / KVPY / Olympiad / NTSE (select applicable)
Current college details (for incoming BSc students)
Bank details
Upload all documents

Step 3: Submit and track

Get application reference number by SMS
Institutional verification within 30 days
DST-level verification 30-90 days
Sanction list published around March-May for next academic year
DBT disbursement starts July (first installment) + January (second installment)

Timeline

Action	Typical dates
Application window	September-November
Class 12 results integration	March-May
Sanction list announcement	June-August
First scholarship installment	July-September
Second installment	Jan-Feb
Renewal deadline	Annually, September

Renewal

To continue the scholarship into subsequent years:

Maintain minimum 60% aggregate in UG / Integrated semesters
Remain in the same recognized Natural Sciences course
Submit renewal + latest marksheet every year

Falling below 60% = scholarship stops (but can be reinstated if grades improve in subsequent semesters).

INSPIRE Mentorship + Internship Grants

A unique feature: in addition to the ₹80,000/year, INSPIRE Scholars get:

Mentorship connection with top researchers at IISc, IITs, IISERs, TIFR
Summer Internship funding — spend a summer at a research institute, ₹20,000 grant covers travel + living
Networking with DST-funded institutions — often leads to PhD admission priority

हेल्पलाइन — Helpline

Service	Number
INSPIRE Help	011-26590300
Email	inspire-dst[at]gov.in
Portal	https://online-inspire.gov.in

FAQ — Common Questions

What does “top 1%” mean exactly? Top 1% of your state board’s Class 12 examinees in science stream. For CBSE, this is typically ~90-92% aggregate. Your board publishes an annual top-1% cutoff list; verify on your board website.

Can I get INSPIRE if I’m in an Integrated MSc course? Yes — Integrated MSc (5-year) students receive INSPIRE for the full 5 years, combining undergraduate + postgraduate phase.

What if my Class 12 was from CBSE/ICSE and I don’t know my state top-1% status? CBSE publishes annual top-1% lists based on its own cohort. ICSE similarly. If you’re top 1% in your board at national level (for CBSE/ICSE), you qualify.

Can I continue INSPIRE if I transfer to a different college? Yes, if the new institution is recognized for BSc / Integrated Science. Update your institution in the INSPIRE portal, submit transfer letter.

Is INSPIRE available for students pursuing medicine (MBBS)? No. INSPIRE covers Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Earth Sciences). MBBS is a professional medical course and is not included.

Does INSPIRE continue if I go abroad for higher studies? The regular INSPIRE SHE is for Indian institutions only. For research abroad, DST has separate schemes (Commonwealth scholarship, etc.).

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Last verified: 20 April 2026. Official source: https://online-inspire.gov.in