Innovation of Science Pursuit for Inspire Research (INSPIRE) is one such innovative scheme proposed by the Department of Science & Technology for attraction of talent to science. The basic objective of INSPIRE would be to communicate to the youth population of the country the excitements of creative pursuit of science and attract talent to the study of science at an early stage and build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science & Technology system and R&D base
INSPIRE Scheme has included three programs and five components. They are i) Scheme for Early Attraction of Talents for Science (SEATS), b) Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) and c) Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC).

The INSPIRE Awards - MANAK

The INSPIRE Awards - MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge), being executed by DST with National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body of DST, aims to motivate students in the age group of 10-15 years and studying in classes 6 to 10. The objective of the scheme is to target one million original ideas/innovations rooted in science and societal applications to foster a culture of creativity and innovative thinking among school children.
This scheme is being operationalised as per the following steps:
1.Awareness and capacity building of District, State and School level functionaries across the country through regional workshops, audio-visual tools and literature
2.Organising internal idea competitions in schools and nominations of two to three best original ideas, in any Indian language, by the respective Principal/Headmaster online through E-MIAS (E-Management of INSPIRE Awards MANAK Scheme) portal. The schools should register themselves on E-MIAS portal. Short listing of top 1,00,000 (one lakh) ideas, with potential to address societal needs through Science & Technology by NIF.
3.Disbursement of INSPIRE Award of INR 10,000 into the bank accounts of short-listed students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
4.Organisation of District Level Exhibition and Project Competition (DLEPC) by District/State authorities and short listing of 10,000 best ideas/innovations for State Level Exhibition and Project Competitions (SLEPC).
5.Organisation of State Level Exhibition & Project Competition (SLEPC) for further shortlisting of top 1,000 ideas/innovations for the National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC). At this stage, NIF will provide mentoring support to students for development of prototypes, in coordination with reputed academic and technology institutions of the country.
6.Selection of ideas/innovations will be based on novelty, social applicability, environment friendliness, user friendliness and comparative advantage over the existing similar technologies.
7.Showcasing 1,000 best ideas/innovations at the National Level Exhibition & Project Competition (NLEPC) and short listing of top 60 innovations for national awards and future direction.
Consideration of top 60 ideas/innovations by NIF for product/process development and their linkage with other schemes of NIF/DST and their display at the Annual Festival of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (FINE).

Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS)

Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS) aims at attracting talented youth to study science. INSPIRE Award of Rs.5,000/- is given to one million young learners in the age group 10-15 years. There are annual Summer/Winter Camps for about 50,000 youth at more than 100 locations for toppers in Class X board examinations for exposure with global leaders in Science through INSPIRE Internship.
Scholarship for Higher Education (She)
Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) aims to enhance rates of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programmes, by providing scholarships and mentorship. The scheme offers 10,000 Scholarship every year at Rs 0.80 lakh per year for the talented youth in the age group 17-22 years, for undertaking Bachelor and Masters level education in natural sciences. The main feature of the scheme is the mentorship support provided to every scholar. The scholarship meant for meritorious students undertaking bachelor’s and master’s courses in Natural and Basic Sciences. INSPIRE Scholarship offers 10000 scholarships every year. The applicant must fall within the age group of 17 to 22 years. The applicants can apply online for SHE scholarship through online portal of INSPIRE. Students who have tenable JEE or NEET rank within 10000 ranks can also apply for the Inspire scholarship 2022. The Government of India considers study and research in Science and Technology as a vital contribution towards economic growth for our country. This scholarship is meant for commendable students undertaking bachelor’s and master’s courses in Natural and Basic Sciences. Students can easily continue their studies without any stress. Students can also pay their tuition fees from scholarship money and other expenses also. Scholarship decreases the cost of student study. Scholarships provide moral support to the student family. The
students who win the scholarship can get Rs. 80000 per annum.

INSPIRE Fellowship

To encourage exemplary talent in the field of Science and Technology, The Department of Science and Technology has come up with a proficient scheme – Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Fellowship. Going beyond the narrow sphere of conducting competitive exams for the identification of talent, INSPIRE aims to bring a vast change in the field of Research and Technology by providing financial aids to scholars . This scheme is for pursuing the Phd Programs at any Institute of Country. The Fellowship is equivalent to JRF initially for two years then SRF for next three Years with annually contingency of Rs 20000/year.
Eligibility Criteria
Online applications can be filed by those candidates who fall under the following categories.
1.INSPIRE Scholars with a minimum score of 70% in aggregate or equivalent CGPA at MSc or integrated MS/ MSc course.
2.First rank holders of University Level Exam (exempting Autonomous college-level exams) off ful ltime PG program in science, engineering/technology/agriculture/pharmacy/other applied science streams and MBBS.
3.However, the university shall provide 1st rank to students having a batch size of a minimum of 10 in the University level examination and to those students who have secured a minimum aggregate of 65% marks of the entire course/ program.
4.Toppers in any subject specialization in PG second-year are not eligible to apply under this fellowship. Autonomous college-level exams shall not be considered.
5.Merely qualifying the eligibility conditions will not guarantee the award of the INSPIRE Fellowship. The final decision will be taken by the expert committee.

DST INSPIRE Faculty Program

This faculty fellowship scheme offers post-doctoral fellowship programs for independent research to young achievers. It must be noted that this fellowship scheme does not guarantee a regular position to the young post-doctoral fellows after five years. Read the complete article for more information on DST INSPIRE fellowship, DST inspire faculty, inspire fellowship for PHD and DST inspire fellowship amount.
Aspirants willing to enroll themselves for INSPIRE faculty fellowship scheme will be required to qualify for the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:
1.Students with Indian nationality (citizens of India, NRI/PIO holders) can apply.
2.Applicants must possess a Ph.D. degree (science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, and agriculture-related subjects) from any recognized university across the globe.
3.From class 12 onwards, students must have scored a minimum of 60% aggregate throughout their academic years.
4.Candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis and are waiting for their results will also be considered eligible to apply. It must be noted that the fellowship scheme will be offered only after the confirmation of the Ph.D. degree to the respective candidate.
5.The upper age limit to apply as of July 1st of the respective year for general category candidates is 32 years (considering support for 5 years). It is 35 years for candidates belonging to SC/ST category and 42 years for PwD category candidates.
6.Applicants must possess a portfolio of their publications (in highly reputed Journals); this will help the authorities to evaluate the research potential of the students.
7.Applicants who are already employed in regular/contractual positions within India can apply but will be required to resign from their current job (no lien or deputation or any type of leave would be accepted) if they get selected.
Under this Scheme each selected post-doctoral fellow will be rewarded with INR 125000 as a consolidated fellowship amount and a research grant of INR 700000 every year will be given to each successful candidate for five years, including the forward carry amount of the previous year, if any. It must be noted that as per the Indian IT Act, the consolidated fellowship amount of INR 125000 is an all-inclusive fellowship and taxable amount. The maximum time duration of the INSPIRE fellowship program in five years. Thus, no candidate should avail or enrol them in other fellowships during the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Scheme.

The author is DST INSPIRE Fellow and is pursuing PhD Physics at NIT Srinagar
Email:----------aaqibmaths@gmail.com