What happened (Lok Sabha update on INSPIRE components and outreach)

On 6 August 2026, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science & Technology, made a written reply in Lok Sabha detailing how the INSPIRE Programme supports students and young researchers through four components. The reply also reported component-wise numbers of students/young researchers supported and described outreach and inclusivity measures focused on rural, remote, and aspirational districts.

INSPIRE Programme: the four components (what each component supports)

The INSPIRE Programme is run by the Department of Science and Technology. The Ministry described a four-stage pipeline that nurtures scientific talent across different academic and research stages:

INSPIRE MANAK supports innovation and scientific creativity among students aged 10-17 years (Classes VI to XII). It encourages students to develop and showcase original ideas and innovations.INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) supports meritorious students aged 17-22 years pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies in natural and basic sciences. The programme awards 12,000 scholarships annually, each valued at ₹80,000 per year.INSPIRE Fellowship supports outstanding graduates and INSPIRE scholars to pursue research through full-time Ph.D. programmes for up to five years. The fellowship includes: ₹37,000 per month as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) pay, ₹42,000 per month as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) pay, House Rent Allowance (HRA), and an annual contingency grant of ₹20,000.INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers (generally in the 27-32 years age group, with applicable age relaxations for reserved categories) through a five-year fellowship. The fellowship provides ₹1,25,000 per month, an annual increment of ₹2,000, and a research grant of ₹35 lakh over the fellowship period.

Component-wise support numbers shared for recent years (2021-22 to 2025-26)

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