INSPIRE Scholarship 2026: Eligibility, Amount, Apply Online, Documents & Renewal

Update: As of 10 March 2026, a fresh public notice for INSPIRE-SHE 2026 application opening is not clearly visible on the official INSPIRE portal. Students should keep checking the portal for the next application announcement.

What is the INSPIRE Scholarship (SHE)?

The INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) is a component of the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It is designed to encourage meritorious students to study Basic and Natural Sciences at the undergraduate and integrated postgraduate level and to build a future in research.

Under INSPIRE-SHE, 12,000 scholarships are announced every year. Each selected scholar receives ₹80,000 per annum, which includes ₹60,000 as scholarship support and ₹20,000 as mentorship grant for summer research work, subject to scheme rules.

INSPIRE Scholarship 2026 Key Highlights

INSPIRE Scholarship Amount and Benefits

The total value of the INSPIRE-SHE scholarship is ₹80,000 per year. Out of this, ₹60,000 is the annual scholarship component, effectively equivalent to ₹5,000 per month. In addition, scholars receive ₹20,000 per year as a mentorship grant for undertaking a summer research project under an active researcher in a recognized research centre in India.

Every INSPIRE-SHE scholar is expected to undertake a summer research project. The project is generally carried out in a recognized research centre outside the parent institution, and only one mentorship project per academic year is supported. The scholar must submit the required project report and completion documents within the prescribed timeline.

Eligibility Criteria for INSPIRE Scholarship 2026

To be eligible for INSPIRE-SHE, a student must fall under one of the approved eligibility routes and also be pursuing an eligible course in Basic or Natural Sciences.

Category A: Top 1% in Class 12 Board Examination
Students securing aggregate marks within the top 1% of their respective State or Central Board in Class 12 and pursuing eligible science courses can apply.

Category B: Top Rank in National Entrance Examinations
Students who secured ranks within the top 10,000 in eligible national examinations such as JEE or NEET/AIPMT, and who are now pursuing Basic or Natural Science courses, can apply.

Category C: Students in Selected Science Institutions
Students with top 1% Class 12 marks who are pursuing Integrated M.S. or related eligible science programmes at institutions such as IISERs, NISER, DAE-CBS, University of Mumbai, and Visva-Bharati, Shanti Niketan can also be eligible under the notified criteria.

Category D: National-Level Scholarship / Talent Route
Students selected under KVPY, as well as NTSE, JBNSTS, and International Olympiad medalists pursuing eligible Natural Science courses, are also covered under the official eligibility framework.

Important Eligibility Notes
The applicant must be in the 17 to 22 years age group. Only students enrolled in notified Basic and Natural Science subjects/courses are covered. The application is meant for students who have completed Class 12 and joined an eligible course in the same cycle as per portal rules. Students cannot draw INSPIRE-SHE along with another scholarship at the same time.

Eligible Courses and Subjects

INSPIRE-SHE supports students pursuing B.Sc., B.S., B.Sc. with Research (4 years), Integrated M.Sc., and Integrated M.S. in approved Basic and Natural Science subjects.

The officially listed core subjects include:

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, Geology, Astrophysics, Astronomy, Electronics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Anthropology, Microbiology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, and Oceanic Sciences.

For continuation at the M.Sc. level, additional subjects such as Ecology, Marine Biology, Genetics, and Biophysics are also mentioned in the official FAQ for eligible M.Sc. continuation cases.

Not Supported: Courses outside the notified Basic and Natural Science subjects are not covered. The official FAQ specifically says courses such as Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Psychology, Home Science, Geography, Economics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Bioinformatics, Information Technology, Physical Education, distance education mode courses, and other professional courses are not supported.

How to Apply for INSPIRE Scholarship 2026

The application process for INSPIRE-SHE is conducted online only through the official INSPIRE portal.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Go to the official INSPIRE website: online-inspire.gov.in.

Step 2: Register
Create a new account using your valid email address and fill in the required personal details carefully.

Step 3: Log In and Choose Scholarship Section
After registration, log in and go to the Scholarship section to begin the INSPIRE-SHE application.

Step 4: Enter Academic and Eligibility Details
Fill in your Class 12 details, examination board information, rank/eligibility category, and current college or university details exactly as per records.

Step 5: Upload Required Documents
Upload the required scanned documents in the prescribed format and size as mentioned on the portal.

Step 6: Review and Submit
Check all entered details carefully before final submission. Incomplete applications may be rejected.

Documents Required for INSPIRE Scholarship

Before applying, students should keep the following documents ready:

1. Class 12 marksheet
2. Class 10 marksheet/certificate for proof of date of birth
3. Endorsement Certificate in the prescribed format, signed by the competent authority of the institution
4. Eligibility Note/Advisory Note, if issued by the State/Central Board
5. Rank or award certificate for JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET, KVPY, JBNSTS, NTSE, or International Olympiad route, wherever applicable

After selection and for scholarship release/continuation, the portal also requires supporting documents such as the first page of SBI passbook, prescribed performance report, marksheets, and other continuation-related forms as applicable.

Selection Process

Selection under INSPIRE-SHE is based on the official eligibility criteria and scrutiny of submitted applications. There is no separate entrance test conducted for this scholarship. Applications are screened for eligibility, completeness, and correctness of documents.

The official FAQ states that if the number of valid applications is large, selection is processed through the Board Inclusive Model, under which the available scholarships are distributed on a pro-rata basis across boards using valid applications received in that year.

Selected candidates receive a Provisional Offer Letter on their INSPIRE portal account. The list of selected and rejected candidates is also displayed on the INSPIRE web portal. As per the official FAQ, the process may take around four months or more from the last date of submission.

Renewal and Continuation Rules

INSPIRE-SHE is not only for the first year. The scholarship continues subject to compliance with the continuation rules laid down by the programme.

For continuation, the scholar must submit the required year-wise Performance Report and marksheets through the portal. The official rule says that the scholar must secure at least 60% marks or GPA 7.0 on a 10-point scale in the relevant university/college examination in the first attempt.

If a scholar secures less than the required marks/GPA, fails in any subject, or does not appear in the examination, the scholarship for that academic year may be forfeited. It can resume in the following year only if the scholar again meets the required academic conditions.

If a student completes B.Sc. and wishes to continue into M.Sc. in eligible Natural and Basic Science subjects, the scholarship can continue after submission of the prescribed enrolment proof. However, if the student takes a one-year break between B.Sc. and M.Sc., the scholarship is not continued.

Bank Account and Payment Rules

For scholarship release, the official FAQ and portal guidelines specifically require the scholar to use a regular savings account in State Bank of India (SBI) in the scholar’s own name. Joint accounts are not accepted, and the account is required to be linked with Aadhaar as per the notified rules on the portal.

Students should upload the required SBI passbook copy and other prescribed documents on the portal within the time mentioned in the offer letter and related instructions.

INSPIRE Scholarship Cutoff

There is no single national fixed percentage cutoff that applies uniformly to every student. For the top 1% board route, the effective threshold depends on the student’s board and on the number of valid applications received in that cycle. The final position is worked out under the Board Inclusive Model.

Therefore, students should avoid relying on unofficial fixed percentage claims and should check the official INSPIRE portal, board notices, and result-related documents whenever the relevant batch information is published.

Important Dates for INSPIRE Scholarship 2026

Note: Students should regularly check online-inspire.gov.in because batch-specific dates, notices, selected lists, and document-upload timelines are published there.

Contact and Official Reference

For the latest notices, FAQs, formats, and scholarship updates, students should use the official INSPIRE portal:

Official Portal: online-inspire.gov.in

The portal provides access to the SHE FAQs, application guidelines, endorsement formats, performance report formats, result notices, and helpline links.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the INSPIRE Scholarship amount?

The INSPIRE-SHE scholarship provides ₹80,000 per year, which includes ₹60,000 as scholarship support and ₹20,000 as mentorship grant for summer research work.

How many scholarships are offered under INSPIRE-SHE every year?

Under the current official FAQ, 12,000 scholarships are announced every year.

Who can apply for the INSPIRE Scholarship?

Eligible applicants include students in the top 1% of their Class 12 board, students with eligible national exam ranks such as JEE/NEET, and students covered through approved routes like KVPY, NTSE, JBNSTS, and International Olympiad, provided they are pursuing eligible Basic and Natural Science courses.

Are B.Tech or MBBS students eligible for INSPIRE Scholarship?

No. The official FAQ states that engineering, medicine, and various other professional or non-notified courses are not supported under INSPIRE-SHE.

Can I take INSPIRE-SHE along with another scholarship?

No. INSPIRE-SHE cannot be availed concurrently with another scholarship. If a student wishes to take INSPIRE-SHE, documentary proof such as scholarship surrender evidence may be required.

Is there any age limit for INSPIRE-SHE?

Yes. Students in the 17 to 22 years age group can apply under INSPIRE-SHE.

Is there any entrance exam for INSPIRE Scholarship?

No separate INSPIRE entrance exam is conducted for SHE. Selection is based on the official eligibility route and scrutiny of submitted applications.

What happens if I fail in a subject?

If a scholar fails in any subject, scores below 60%, or gets less than GPA 7.0 in the required examination, the scholarship for that academic year can be forfeited. It may resume later if the scholar again satisfies the academic condition.

Is a gap allowed between B.Sc. and M.Sc. for continuation?

No. If a scholar takes a one-year break after B.Sc. before joining M.Sc., the scholarship is not continued.

Which bank account is required for payment?

As per the official guidelines/FAQ currently available on the portal, the scholar must maintain an SBI savings account in their own name and upload the required passbook details/documents.