National Scholarship For Post Graduate Studies 2026
The INSPIRE SHE scholarship provides financial support to talented students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in basic Read More... and natural sciences, encouraging them to build a career in research. Read less
Details
The Indian government's Department of Science and Technology (DST) runs a flagship program called INSPIRE. A key part of this is the Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) component, designed to encourage young minds to pursue studies and research in basic and natural sciences.
What Is This Scheme?
The INSPIRE SHE scholarship aims to identify and support bright students who are passionate about subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, and more. It offers financial assistance to help them complete their Bachelor's and Master's degrees in these fields and consider a future in scientific research.
Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?
This scholarship is for meritorious students who have performed exceptionally well in their Class XII exams or have secured top ranks in competitive entrance exams like JEE (IIT) and AIPMT. They must be currently enrolled in Bachelor's or Master's level courses in approved basic and natural science subjects.
Why This Scheme Is Important
By providing financial aid and opportunities for research exposure, the INSPIRE SHE scheme plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of scientists and researchers in India. It ensures that financial constraints don't deter deserving students from pursuing their scientific aspirations.
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the INSPIRE SHE scholarship, you must meet one of the following conditions:
- Be among the top 1% of students in your Class XII board examinations (any State or Central Board) and be currently pursuing B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. courses in Natural and Basic Sciences.
- Have secured a rank within the top 10,000 in the JEE of IIT or AIPMT and be currently pursuing a B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. degree in Natural and Basic Sciences.
- Be pursuing Integrated M.S. courses in Natural and Basic Sciences at institutions like IISERs, NISER, or the Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Basic Sciences (University of Mumbai) and Visva-Bharati, provided you were in the top 1% of your Class XII exams.
- Be a selected student under the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) and pursuing Bachelor/Master level courses in Natural Sciences.
- Be a National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) scholar, Jagadish Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) scholar, or an International Olympiad medallist pursuing Bachelor/Master level courses in Natural Sciences.
Note: Courses in fields like Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Management, etc., are not covered under this scholarship. Only subjects within Basic and Natural Sciences are eligible.
How To Apply
- Eligible candidates need to apply online through the official INSPIRE portal.
- Fill in the application form carefully with all the required details.
- Upload scanned copies of all necessary documents as specified.
- Ensure that the college Principal/Director/Registrar provides the mandatory Endorsement Certificate.
- Submit the application before the specified deadline.
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified and may need to upload further documents upon selection.
The application portal and details can be found on the official DST website.
Documents Required
Before you apply, make sure you have the following documents ready:
- Your Class XII mark sheets.
- Your Class X mark sheet or certificate (to prove your date of birth).
- An Endorsement Certificate, duly signed by the Head of your college or institution. You can download the format from the official website.
- Your SBI bank account details (front page of the passbook showing your name and account number).
- Your latest B.Sc./Integrated M.Sc. mark sheets (annual or semester-wise) to show your academic performance.
- Any other supporting documents like an Eligibility Note or Advisory Note, if applicable.
Official Sources
For the latest formats and specific requirements, please refer to the official INSPIRE website:
FAQ’s
What is the total scholarship amount provided annually?
The INSPIRE SHE scholarship offers a total of ₹ 80,000 per annum to each selected scholar.
For how long can a student receive this scholarship?
The scholarship can be availed for a maximum of five years. This support starts from the first year of the B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. course and continues until the course completion, or for five years, whichever comes first.
Who qualifies for this scholarship based on Class XII marks?
Students who have scored in the top 1% of marks in their Class XII examinations from any recognized State or Central Education Board in India are eligible, provided they are pursuing courses in Basic and Natural Sciences.
How is the scholarship money disbursed to the students?
The scholarship amount is directly credited to the scholar's State Bank of India (SBI) bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method.
What are the specific science subjects covered by the INSPIRE SHE scholarship?
The scholarship covers subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, Geology, Astrophysics, Astronomy, Electronics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Anthropology, Microbiology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, and Oceanic Sciences.
What is the purpose of the Summertime Mentorship Grant?
The Summertime Mentorship Grant of ₹ 20,000 is provided annually to enable scholars to undertake summer research projects under the guidance of an active researcher at any recognized research centre in India.
Are students pursuing professional courses eligible for this scholarship?
No, the scholarship is strictly for basic and natural science courses. Professional courses such as Engineering, Medicine, Defence Studies, Agriculture, Psychology, Home Science, Geography, Economics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, and courses in Distance Education are not supported.
What conditions must be met for the scholarship to continue after the first year?
To continue receiving the scholarship, students must maintain good academic performance throughout their course. Their academic progress also needs to be recommended by the Head of their Institution.
Besides academic merit, what other achievements make a student eligible?
Students who have secured ranks within the top 10,000 in the JEE of IIT or AIPMT, KVPY awardees, NTSE scholars, JBNSTS scholars, and International Olympiad medallists pursuing Bachelor/Master level courses in Natural Sciences are also eligible.
Is there a specific format for the Endorsement Certificate?
Yes, there is a prescribed format for the Endorsement Certificate, which needs to be signed by the Principal of the College, Director of the Institute, or Registrar of the University. You can find this format on the official INSPIRE website.
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