As of 6 November 2026, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has NOT opened fresh applications for the INSPIRE Scholarship. There is no new call for students who passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026. The government told the Rajya Sabha on 13 August 2026 that the scheme has not been shelved, but is being redesigned. No date for the redesigned scheme has been announced. Any last date you see on other websites is not official unless it appears on the INSPIRE portal.
The INSPIRE Scholarship is one of the most respected scholarships in India for students who love science. It supports talented students from Class 12 all the way to PhD and early research careers. In this article, you will find complete and honest information about all four components of the INSPIRE programme, the amount paid, who can apply, how to apply, and the documents you need. We also explain the current status for 2026 in plain words, so that you do not fall for fake dates or agents asking for money.
Every year, lakhs of students in India pass Class 12. Many of them want to study science further, but money becomes a barrier. Some students score excellent marks and still hesitate to join a B.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. course because they worry about the cost of science education and the uncertainty of a research career. To change this thinking, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, started the INSPIRE programme.
INSPIRE stands for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research. Its aim is to attract the brightest young minds of the country towards science and research. The programme supports students at every stage, from school to PhD and the start of an independent research career. After reading this article completely, you will know which INSPIRE component fits you, how much money it offers, whether you are eligible, and what you should do while waiting for the next official announcement.
INSPIRE Scholarship 2026 – Quick Facts
| Scheme Name | INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) |
| Run By | Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India |
| Who It Is For | Students who join B.Sc., B.S. or Integrated M.Sc. / M.S. in Natural and Basic Sciences after Class 12 |
| Amount | Rs 80,000 per year (Rs 60,000 scholarship + Rs 20,000 summer mentorship grant) |
| Duration | Up to 5 years or till course completion, whichever is earlier |
| Age Limit | 17 to 22 years |
| How to Apply | Online only, on the official portal online-inspire.gov.in |
| Status in 2026 | Fresh applications not yet opened; the scheme is being redesigned |
| Official Website | online-inspire.gov.in |
What Is the Last Date for INSPIRE Scholarship 2026?
This is the question most students are asking, so here is the answer first, in clear words. As of 6 November 2026, there is no last date for the INSPIRE Scholarship, because applications have not even opened. Some websites show dates like 30 November 2026 or October 2026, but these dates are not official. They are guesses based on the pattern of previous years.
In earlier years, INSPIRE-SHE applications usually opened between September and December. That did not happen in 2026. In July 2026, a DST official told the media that the scholarship would not be notified that year. Then, on 13 August 2026, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, said clearly that the INSPIRE-SHE scheme has not been shelved. It is presently under redesign to strengthen its objectives, improve its implementation, and align it with emerging priorities in science education and research. No date was given for the redesigned scheme.
What this means for you is simple. If you passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026, there is no INSPIRE call to apply to right now. Keep checking the official portal online-inspire.gov.in regularly and do not trust any unofficial date. As soon as DST issues a fresh notification, we will update this article.
The Four Components of INSPIRE – Which One Is for You?
INSPIRE is not a single scholarship. It has four separate components, and each one is meant for a different stage of study. The table below will help you find the one that fits you.
| Component | Who It Is For | Amount | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE MANAK | School students of Classes 6 to 10 with an original science idea | Rs 10,000 for selected ideas | One-time |
| INSPIRE SHE | Students doing B.Sc. / B.S. / Integrated M.Sc. in science after Class 12 | Rs 80,000 per year | Up to 5 years |
| INSPIRE Fellowship | Students doing PhD in basic and applied sciences | Rs 37,000 per month (JRF), Rs 42,000 per month (SRF) + HRA | Up to 5 years |
| INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship | Young researchers with a PhD (age 27 to 32) | Rs 1,25,000 per month + Rs 7,00,000 per year research grant | 5 years |
How Much Money Does INSPIRE SHE Pay?
Under INSPIRE SHE, each selected student gets Rs 80,000 per year. This amount is split into two parts. The first part is a scholarship of Rs 60,000 per year, paid as about Rs 5,000 per month directly into the student’s bank account through DBT. The second part is a mentorship grant of Rs 20,000, which the student can claim for doing a summer research project at a recognised institution.
The scholarship continues for up to 5 years, or till the course is completed, whichever is earlier. So if you do a B.Sc. and then an M.Sc., the support can continue through your full course. Over five years, the total value can reach Rs 4,00,000. As per DST guidelines, around 12,000 scholarships are offered every year. Please note that the number may change in the redesigned scheme, and the figure in the fresh notification will be final.
To keep the scholarship, you must score at least 60 percent marks or a 7.0 CGPA in every academic year. If your marks fall below this level in any year, the scholarship can be stopped. So selection is only the first step. Consistent performance every year is equally important.
Eligibility for INSPIRE SHE Scholarship
Eligibility for INSPIRE SHE is based purely on merit. There is no separate entrance exam. You can qualify through any one of the four routes given below.
1. Top 1 Percent in Class 12 Board Exams
If you ranked in the top 1 percent of your Class 12 board examination in the science stream, from any recognised State or Central board, you are eligible. The cut-off marks for the top 1 percent are different for every board, and DST releases them every year.
2. Top 10,000 Rank in JEE or NEET
If you secured a rank within the top 10,000 in JEE Main, JEE Advanced or NEET, and then joined a Natural or Basic Sciences degree course, you are eligible. The rank alone is not enough. You must also be studying a science degree course.
3. Direct Admission to Premier Institutes
Students who get direct admission to IISER, NISER, DAE-CBS Mumbai or Visva-Bharati under their entry routes are also eligible.
4. KVPY, NTSE, JBNSTS or Olympiad
Students who are KVPY scholars, NTSE scholars, JBNSTS scholars, or medal winners of an International Science Olympiad are also eligible under this scheme.
Other Conditions
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- The age must be between 17 and 22 years at the time of application.
- The student must be enrolled in a B.Sc., B.S., Integrated M.Sc. or M.S. course in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, Geology, Astronomy, Electronics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Anthropology or Microbiology.
- Engineering (B.Tech / B.E.), Medicine (MBBS) and other professional courses are NOT eligible.
- As per DST rules, the student must join the eligible science course in the same year in which they pass Class 12.
INSPIRE Fellowship (PhD) – Eligibility and Amount
The INSPIRE Fellowship is for students who want to do a PhD in basic and applied sciences. To be eligible, you must be a first-rank holder in your postgraduate examination, or an INSPIRE Scholar with at least 70 percent marks or a 7.0 CGPA in M.Sc. or Integrated M.Sc. There is no entrance exam.
The fellowship pays Rs 37,000 per month at the JRF level for the first two years and Rs 42,000 per month at the SRF level after that, plus HRA as applicable. There is also an annual contingency grant of Rs 20,000. The fellowship is given for up to 5 years. Around 1,000 fellowships are offered every year. Calls are usually issued in the third or fourth quarter of the financial year, between October and March. No fresh 2026 call has been announced yet, so keep watching the official portal.
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship – Eligibility and Amount
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is for young researchers who have completed a PhD and want to build an independent research career in India. You need a PhD in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine, Agriculture or a related subject, with at least 60 percent marks consistently from Class 12 onwards.
The upper age limit is 32 years for General category, 37 years for SC / ST and Women, and 42 years for persons with benchmark disability. Selected fellows receive a consolidated fellowship of Rs 1,25,000 per month, with an annual increment of Rs 2,000, plus a research grant of Rs 7,00,000 per year. That is Rs 35 lakh over five years. The fellowship is for 5 years. A fresh 2026 application window has not been independently verified as open, so applicants should monitor the official INSPIRE portal.
How to Apply for INSPIRE Scholarship 2026
When DST opens fresh applications, the process will be as follows. This is based on earlier guidelines and the official portal. If the fresh notification changes anything, the new rules will apply.
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Go to the official INSPIRE portal, online-inspire.gov.in. Note that INSPIRE Scholarship applications are NOT made on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Apply only on the INSPIRE portal.
Step 2: Register as a New User
Click on “New User Registration” or “New Registration”. Enter your name, email ID, mobile number and date of birth. Your login details will be sent to your email and mobile number.
Step 3: Fill the Application Form
Log in to the portal and open the application form for the Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE). Fill in your personal details, Class 12 board details, merit or rank details, and your college or university details correctly.
Step 4: Upload Documents
Upload clear scanned copies of all the documents listed below. Blurred or incomplete documents can lead to rejection of your application.
Step 5: Submit and Keep a Copy
Check all the details once again and submit the form. After submission, save the acknowledgement and a PDF or printout of the filled form. Note down your application number, because you will need it to check your status later.
Step 6: Track Your Application
Log in to the portal from time to time to check your application status. If DST asks for any document or points out a mistake, correct it within the given time.
Documents Required for INSPIRE Scholarship
- Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
- Class 10 mark sheet and date of birth proof
- Proof of admission to college or university (admission letter or fee receipt)
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook copy (for DBT, the account must be in the applicant’s name)
- Passport-size photograph
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- JEE / NEET rank card or KVPY / NTSE / Olympiad proof (if applying through that route)
- Proof related to the board’s top 1 percent cut-off (if applicable)
Important Things About INSPIRE That Most Websites Do Not Tell You
First, there is no application fee for the INSPIRE Scholarship. If any person or agent asks you for money to apply, it is a fraud. DST never takes applications through agents.
Second, KVPY is no longer a separate scheme. In 2022, KVPY was merged into the INSPIRE scheme. So if a website asks you to apply separately for KVPY 2026, that information is outdated. KVPY benefits are now available through INSPIRE SHE.
Third, students selected in earlier batches are still being paid. The government has said clearly that existing scholars will continue to receive their payments. Only fresh applications are on hold while the scheme is redesigned.
Fourth, if you passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026 and have already joined a B.Sc. course, do not depend only on INSPIRE. You should also apply for other scholarships. For example, the ONGC Merit Scholarship offers 2,000 scholarships, the SVMCM Scholarship is for students of West Bengal, and the Aikyashree Scholarship is for minority students. You can read about them on our website through the links given below.
Fifth, even after selection, you must maintain at least 60 percent marks every year. If you become careless in the first year itself, the scholarship can stop from the second year onwards.
Other Scholarships You Can Apply For
While you wait for the fresh INSPIRE notification, you can also look at these scholarships:
- ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27 – 2,000 Scholarships, Eligibility, Documents and How to Apply
- SVMCM Scholarship 2026-27 – Eligibility, Amount, Documents and How to Apply Online
- Aikyashree Scholarship 2026-27 – West Bengal Minority Scholarship, Amounts and How to Apply
Important Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| INSPIRE official portal (applications) | online-inspire.gov.in |
| INSPIRE programme information | inspire-dst.gov.in |
| Department of Science and Technology | dst.gov.in |
| Rajya Sabha reply, 13 August 2026 (scheme under redesign) | sansad.in (Question No. 2996) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the last date for INSPIRE Scholarship 2026?
There is no last date announced yet, because DST has not opened fresh applications as of 6 November 2026. Dates like 30 November 2026 shown on some websites are not official. The real last date will be known only after the official notification is issued.
2. Is the INSPIRE Scholarship discontinued?
No, it has not been discontinued. On 13 August 2026, the government told the Rajya Sabha that INSPIRE-SHE is under redesign and has not been shelved. Students selected in earlier batches are still being paid.
3. How much money is given under the INSPIRE Scholarship?
INSPIRE SHE pays Rs 80,000 per year. This includes a scholarship of Rs 60,000 per year (Rs 5,000 per month) and a summer mentorship grant of Rs 20,000. It can continue for up to 5 years.
4. Can B.Tech or MBBS students apply for the INSPIRE Scholarship?
No, students of Engineering, Medicine and other professional courses are not eligible for INSPIRE SHE. The scholarship is only for Natural and Basic Sciences courses such as B.Sc., B.S. and Integrated M.Sc.
5. Where do I apply for the INSPIRE Scholarship?
Applications are made only on the official INSPIRE portal, online-inspire.gov.in. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is not used for INSPIRE SHE applications. There is no application fee.
6. What percentage is needed in Class 12?
There is no fixed percentage. You must be in the top 1 percent of your board. The cut-off is different for every board and is released by DST every year. You can also qualify through a top 10,000 rank in JEE or NEET.
7. Is KVPY still conducted separately?
No, KVPY was merged into the INSPIRE scheme in 2022. There is no separate KVPY application now. KVPY benefits are available through INSPIRE SHE.
8. How many marks are needed every year to continue the scholarship?
You must score at least 60 percent marks or a 7.0 CGPA in every academic year. If your marks fall below this level, the scholarship can be stopped.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only. GramSuvidha is a private information portal, not a government website. For final details about the amount, eligibility and dates, always check the official INSPIRE portal at online-inspire.gov.in. No fresh application has been announced for 2026 yet, so please check the official notice before trusting any date.
