National Scholarship For Post Graduate Studies 2026

The INSPIRE SHE scholarship provides financial support for bright students pursuing Bachelor's and Master's degrees in basic Read More... and natural sciences, encouraging them towards research careers. Read less

Details

The Government of India, through the Department of Science and Technology (DST), offers a fantastic opportunity for students passionate about basic and natural sciences. The 'Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)' is a part of the larger INSPIRE program, designed to nurture young talent and inspire them to choose research as a career.

What Is This Scheme?

The INSPIRE SHE scholarship aims to support students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in basic and natural science subjects. It provides a financial boost to help them focus on their studies and explore research avenues. From the 2017 batch onwards, 12,000 scholarships, each worth ₹80,000 per year, are awarded annually.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scholarship is for meritorious students who are pursuing or intend to pursue Bachelor's or Master's level courses in specific basic and natural science disciplines in India. This includes students who have excelled in their Class XII exams, performed well in competitive entrance exams like JEE and AIPMT, or are recognized scholars through programs like KVPY and NTSE.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By offering financial assistance and encouraging hands-on research experience through summer projects, the INSPIRE SHE scheme plays a crucial role in strengthening India's scientific foundation. It helps attract and retain bright minds in scientific fields, fostering innovation and driving future advancements.

Objective

The INSPIRE SHE scholarship provides financial support for bright students pursuing Bachelor's and Master's degrees in basic and natural sciences, encouraging them towards research careers.

Benefits

Scholarships of Rs.15,000/- per month for 10 months in a year.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the INSPIRE SHE scholarship, you need to meet one of the following criteria:

Be among the top 1% of students in your Class XII examination from any recognized Indian State or Central Education Board, and be currently pursuing a B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. course in Natural and Basic Sciences.
Have secured a rank within the top 10,000 in the JEE (IIT) or AIPMT and are currently pursuing a B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. course in Natural and Basic Sciences in India.
Be pursuing an Integrated M.S. course in Natural and Basic Sciences at institutions like IISERs, NISER, the Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Basic Sciences (University of Mumbai), or Visva-Bharati (Shanti Niketan), and were among the top 1% in your Class XII exams.
Have been selected under the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) and are pursuing Bachelor's or Master's 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's or Master's level courses in Natural Sciences.

Important Note: The scholarship is strictly for courses in Basic and Natural Sciences. Professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Home Science, Geography, Economics, Psychology, Physical Education, and courses offered through Distance Education are NOT covered under this scheme.

How To Apply

Aspiring students can apply for the INSPIRE SHE scholarship through the official portal. The application process typically involves the following steps:

Visit the official INSPIRE portal: https://online-inspire.gov.in/.
Register yourself and fill in the online application form with all the required details.
Upload all necessary documents as specified in the application guidelines.
Submit the application form before the stipulated deadline.

For detailed instructions and to download user manuals, please refer to the official website.

Official Website

Department of Science and Technology (DST): https://online-inspire.gov.in/

Documents Required

When applying for the INSPIRE SHE scholarship, you will need to have the following documents ready:

Class XII Mark Sheets.
Class X Mark Sheet or Certificate (to verify date of birth).
An Endorsement Certificate, signed by the Principal of your College or Director of the Institute/Registrar of the University. You can download the format from the official portal.
SBI Bank Passbook (front page showing your name and account number).
For continuing scholars: BSc/Int. MSc annual or semester Mark Sheets and Performance Report.
Eligibility Note/Advisory Note (if issued by your Board) - this is not mandatory.

Selected candidates will be required to upload additional documents upon selection, as specified in their offer letter.

Official Sources for Documents

Endorsement Certificate format: https://online-inspire.gov.in/Content/EndorsementFormForB.Sc.pdf
BSc/Int. MSc Performance Report & Mark Sheets format: https://online-inspire.gov.in/Content/Format SHE Performance Report.pdf

FAQ’s

What subjects are covered under the INSPIRE SHE scholarship?

The scholarship supports courses in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, Geology, Astrophysics, Astronomy, Electronics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Anthropology, Microbiology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, and Oceanic Sciences. Professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, etc., are not included.

How long will the scholarship support a student?

The scholarship can support selected students for up to five years. This support begins from the first year of B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. and continues until the completion of the course, or for a maximum of five years, whichever is less.

What is the total yearly benefit of the INSPIRE SHE scholarship?

Each scholar receives a total annual benefit of ₹ 80,000. This includes ₹ 5,000 per month (₹ 60,000 annually) as scholarship and a ₹ 20,000 yearly grant for summer research projects.

Can I continue receiving the scholarship if my grades drop?

No, the continuation of the scholarship depends on your consistent good academic performance in university examinations. Your institution's head must also recommend you for continued support.

How do I receive the scholarship money?

The scholarship amount is transferred directly to your State Bank of India (SBI) bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

What if I'm pursuing an Integrated M.S. course at an IISER?

Yes, if you were among the top 1% in your Class XII exams and are pursuing an Integrated M.S. in Natural and Basic Sciences at institutions like IISERs, NISER, or the Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Basic Sciences, you are eligible.

What are KVPY and NTSE, and are scholars eligible?

KVPY stands for Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana, and NTSE stands for National Talent Search Examination. Scholars selected under these programs are eligible to apply for the INSPIRE SHE scholarship if they are pursuing Bachelor's or Master's level courses in Natural Sciences.

Where can I find the application guidelines or user manual?

You can find the user manual and application guidelines on the official INSPIRE portal at: https://online-inspire.gov.in/Content/guidelines.pdf