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

1. INSPIRE Award (Class 6-10): smaller recognition (₹10,000) for school science exhibits
2. INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE): ₹80,000/year for UG/Integrated PG students — this guide covers this
3. 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

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

Step 2: Fill application

1. Personal details (name, DOB, Aadhaar, category)
2. Academic record: – Class 12 marks + board – Qualifying path: Top 1% / KVPY / Olympiad / NTSE (select applicable)
3. Current college details (for incoming BSc students)
4. Bank details
5. 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

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Related guides on LabhKosh

• AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
• PM Scholarship for Defense Wards
• National Scholarship Portal Guide
• Post-Matric Scholarship SC/ST

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

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