What happened
The Department of Science and Technology's Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Programme remains one of the Union government’s main instruments for building scientific talent. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said the programme has supported more than 3.75 lakh students and young researchers across its four components during the last five years.
Background and earlier position
INSPIRE is designed to nurture talent at different stages of the academic pipeline, from school-level creativity to postdoctoral research. The programme works through four components: INSPIRE-MANAK, INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), INSPIRE Fellowship, and INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship.
The programme’s structure matters for UPSC because it connects science education, scholarships, doctoral support, and research careers in one policy framework. It also reflects the broader state objective of strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem and scientific workforce.
What changed now
Related current affairs
- INSPIRE Programme: DSIR/Ministry of Science and Technology updates on components and outreach in Lok Sabha
- Lok Sabha written reply: INSPIRE programme components and outreach to nurture science talent
- Parliament Question: Progress of INSPIRE Programme
- Lok Sabha reply: INSPIRE-SHE scholarships—targets met; year- and State/UT-wise selections since 2019-20
- Clarification on scholarship status and unpaid dues for SC, OBC and PwD; DBT mechanism explained
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