Innovation In Science Pursuit For Inspired Research (INSPIRE) - Scholarship For Higher Education (SHE)
The INSPIRE-SHE scholarship supports top-performing science students across India who are pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in natural and basic sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. It provides ₹80,000 per year — ₹5,000/month as living support plus a ₹20,000 summer research grant — to help talented students focus on science careers. Students can apply online at the INSPIRE Web Portal (online-inspire.gov.in) once the annual call for applications is announced.
About This Scheme
The INSPIRE-SHE scholarship supports top-performing science students across India who are pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in natural and basic sciences such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. It provides ₹80,000 per year — ₹5,000/month as living support plus a ₹20,000 summer research grant — to help talented students focus on science careers. Students can apply online at the INSPIRE Web Portal (online-inspire.gov.in) once the annual call for applications is announced.
Full official description
The scheme "Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)" is a component of the “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)”, which is a flagship programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The scheme aims to attract students to study basic and natural Science subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and pursue research as a career by providing scholarships to interested and deserving students. Under the SHE component, 12,000 scholarships (From the SHE-2017 batch onwards), each valued at ₹ 80,000/- are announced annually to students pursuing Bachelor and Masters level courses in Basic and Natural Science areas.
Tenure
Selected candidates will be supported for a maximum period of five years, starting from the 1st year B.Sc., B.S., Int. M.Sc./Int.M.S. or until the completion of the course, whichever is earlier.
Continuation of the scholarship for the selected candidates is based on good academic performance in the examinations conducted by the University and upon the recommendation by the Head of the Institution.
The following subjects under Basic and Natural Sciences are within the scope of INSPIRE Scholarship for pursuing B.Sc./B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. courses:
(1) Physics (2) Chemistry (3) Mathematics (4) Biology (5) Statistics (6) Geology (7) Astrophysics (8) Astronomy (9) Electronics (10) Botany (11) Zoology (12) Biochemistry (13) Anthropology (14) Microbiology (15) Geophysics (16) Geochemistry (17) Atmospheric Sciences & (18) Oceanic Sciences.
Courses other than these subjects such as Engineering, Medicine, Military Science, Defence Studies, Agriculture, Psychology, Seed Technology, Home Science, Geography, Economics, Education (including B.Sc.-B.Ed. dual degree course), Biotechnology, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Bioinformatics, Instrumentation, Information Technology, Physical Education, courses in Distance Education mode at Open Universities and other professional courses etc. are NOT supported.
Benefits
- ₹5,000 per month (₹60,000 per year) for living and education expenses
- ₹20,000 summer research grant each year to work with a scientist at a recognized research institution
- Total annual value: ₹80,000 per year
- Amount transferred directly to your SBI bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Up to 12,000 scholarships offered nationally per year
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be in the top 1% of your Class XII board exam (any state or central board in India)
- OR hold a top 10,000 rank in JEE (IIT), or be a KVPY/NTSE/JBNSTS scholar, or have won an International Science Olympiad medal
- Must be currently enrolled in B.Sc., B.S., or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. in a natural or basic science subject
- Eligible subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, Geology, Astrophysics, Astronomy, Electronics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Atmospheric Sciences, and related fields
- Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Computer Science, Biotechnology, and other professional courses are NOT covered
- Must maintain good academic performance each year for the scholarship to continue
- Supported for up to 5 years or until course completion, whichever is earlier
How to Apply
Call for Applications
The call for applications will be advertised on the INSPIRE Web Portal.
Application Process
Step 1: Log in to the portal by entering the registered email id as user name and the registered password. If you are already logged in, go to Step 2.
Step 2: Upon logging in, a screen will appear where you have to click the ‘Scholarship’ link.
Step 3: Click the Related Link icon in the right-hand corner. To view and print the Offer Letter, please click the ‘View Offer Letter’ link. Please read the Offer Letter carefully before going to Step 4.
Step 4: Fill in the State Bank of India Account details carefully in the respective fields. Upload a scanned copy of the first page of the SBI passbook containing the account number and name.
Step 5: Press Submit button. After the successful submission of bank details, a pop-up message will appear stating that ‘Your bank details updated successfully’.
Step 6: Go to the Related Link icon. Click the ‘Documents for BSc/MSc’ icon.
Step 7: Upload your documents one by one by selecting ‘Documents for the year’, ‘Mark Sheets’ and ‘Performance Report’.
Step 8: Press Submit button. After successful submission of Performance Reports and Mark Sheets, a pop-up message will appear stating that ‘Documents uploaded and submitted for approval. You will be notified if your documents are incomplete or need further clarification’.
Step 9: Press the Logout button.
Intimation of Selection
- As the Department receives a large number of applications, the selection process on average takes at least four months from the last date of submission of the application.
- All selected candidates shall receive a Provisional Offer Letter on their web portal account informing them that they are selected for the scholarship. Provisionally selected students are required to log into the online portal to download the offer letter.
- A list of selected and rejected students will also be displayed on the home page of INSPIRE Web Portal.
NOTE: DO NOT SEND ANY DOCUMENTS BY POST
Frequently Asked Questions
What Shall Be The Tenure Of The Scholarship?
Selected candidates will be supported for a maximum period of five years, starting from the 1st year B.Sc., B.S., Int. M.Sc./Int.M.S. or until the completion of the course, whichever is earlier.
What Are The Criteria For The Continuation Of The Scholarship?
Continuation of the scholarship for the selected candidates is based on good academic performance in the examinations conducted by the University and upon the recommendation by the Head of the Institution.
What Is The Amount Of The Scholarship?
The scholarship is valued at [?] 80,000/- per annum.
How Much Shall The Summertime Mentorship Grant Be?
The Summertime Mentorship Grant of [?] 20,000/- will be paid every year.
How Will The Amount Of The Scholarship Be Disbursed?
The scholarship will be transferred to the scholar's State Bank of India (SBI) bank account directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
Where Can I Find The URL To The PDF Document Of The User Manual Of The Application Process?
The PDF document of the User Manual of the Application Process can be found at: https://online-inspire.gov.in/Content/guidelines.pdf
Under Whom Can The SHE Scholars Undertake Summer Research Projects?
All the SHE scholars are required to undertake summer research projects under an active researcher in any recognized research centre across India.
What Are The Full Names Of KVPY And NTSE?
The full name of KVPY is "Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana". The full name of NTSE is "National Talent Search Examination".
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- > **During Application**
- Class XII Mark Sheets(mandatory)
- Class X Mark Sheet/Certificate (for proof of date of birth)(mandatory)
- [Endorsement Certificate](https://online-inspire.gov.in/Content/EndorsementFormForB.Sc.pdf) in the prescribed format, signed by the Principal of the College/Director of the Institute/Registrar of the University (mandatory)1. Eligibility Note/Advisory Note (if provided by the State/Central Board) (not mandatory)
- Front page of SBI Bank Passbook (containing Account Number and your name)
- BSc/Int. MSc [Performance Report](https://online-inspire.gov.in/Content/Format%20SHE%20Performance%20Report.pdf)1. [BSc/Int. MSc. annual or semester Mark Sheets](https://online-inspire.gov.in/Content/Format%20SHE%20Performance%20Report.pdf)
- > **Upon Selection**
- Selected candidates will have to upload the required documents on their web portal within the prescribed time limit (time limit mentioned in the offer letter) for further consideration by the Department.