INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
Department of Science and Technology (DST) · All India
| Scheme Name | INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) |
| Provided By | Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
| Eligibility Summary | Undergraduate, Postgraduate · No income limit |
There are multiple versions of this scheme — check if one of these fits you better:
About the Program
INSPIRE-SHE aims to attract talented youth to study and pursue careers in basic sciences through comprehensive annual grants.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹80k+
The INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) provides a total annual value of ₹80,000. This includes an annual scholarship grant of ₹60,000 (disbursed at ₹5,000 per month) and a summertime mentorship grant of ₹20,000 for undertaking summer research projects. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the scholar's State Bank of India (SBI) bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The bank account must be a regular Normal Savings Bank Account in the scholar's name only and Aadhaar-linked. Joint accounts or accounts in other banks are not accepted.
₹80,000 per year for 5 years.
Note: For students who topped their board exams or competitive exams and pursue science.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | All |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Marksheet
- ✓Rank Certificate (JEE/NEET)
- ✓Domicile
- ✓Photo
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected purely on academic merit, without an entrance exam
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Eligibility generally requires students to be within the top 1% of their Class XII examination from any State or Central Education Board in India
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In addition, the student must be pursuing courses in Natural and Basic Sciences at the B.Sc., B.S., B.Sc. with Research (4 years), or Integrated M.Sc./M.S. level
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Alternatively, students who have secured ranks within the top 10,000 in JEE Main, JEE Advanced, or NEET, and are pursuing Natural and Basic Science courses, are also eligible
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Students who have been selected under Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) scholars, Jagadish Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS) scholars, and International Olympiad medallists pursuing Bachelor/Master level courses in Natural Sciences are also eligible.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is renewable annually for a maximum period of five years (covering undergraduate and integrated postgraduate studies) or until the completion of the course, whichever is earlier
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Continuation is contingent on satisfactory academic performance, requiring scholars to secure at least 60% marks or an equivalent CGPA/grade (≥ 7.0 on a 10-point scale) in all subjects in the previous academic year, in their first attempt
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Scholars must remain enrolled in an eligible natural and basic science program
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Changing to professional or technical courses (e.g., Engineering, Medicine, Architecture) will result in immediate discontinuation
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Annual renewal requires submitting a Performance Report along with an Endorsement Form and original/self-attested mark sheets each year via the online-inspire.gov.in portal
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Failure, absence from exams, or delay beyond 12 months in submitting documents will result in the forfeiture of the scholarship for that year.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Registration
Visit the official INSPIRE web portal: `https://online-inspire.gov.in`. Click on 'New User? Register Here' to create an account. You will need a valid email ID, which will serve as your login ID.
- 2Login & Fill Application
After verifying your email, log in using your registered email ID and password. Navigate to the 'Scholarship' section and select the 'INSPIRE-SHE' scholarship option. Carefully fill in all required personal, academic (Class 10th and 12th details, current educational information), and contact details.
- 3Upload Documents
Scan and upload the mandatory documents, including a passport-size photograph, Class 10th Marksheet/Certificate (for date of birth), Class 12th Marksheet, Endorsement Certificate (signed by Principal/Director/Registrar in the prescribed format), proof of admission in a science course, and the first page of your SBI bank passbook (for DBT transfer, Aadhaar-linked).
- 4Review and Submit
Cross-check all entered details for accuracy before submitting the application. Save the acknowledgment slip for future reference.
- 5Status Tracking
To check your application status, log in to the portal using your Login ID and Password, and then enter your Application Reference Number on your dashboard. *Note:* The application window for INSPIRE SHE 2026-27 is expected to be open with a deadline around December 1, 2026. However, specific application opening and closing dates are subject to official announcements on the INSPIRE online portal.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the annual scholarship amount and how is it disbursed?
The INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) provides a total of ₹80,000 per annum. This consists of a scholarship grant of ₹60,000 per year (₹5,000 per month) and a mentorship grant of ₹20,000 per year for undertaking summer research projects. The funds are transferred directly into the scholar's Aadhaar-linked State Bank of India (SBI) savings account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
What are the primary eligibility criteria for the INSPIRE SHE Scholarship?
Eligible applicants must be Indian citizens and fall into one of the following categories: 1. Meritorious students with aggregate marks within the top 1% of their Class XII examination from any State/Central Education Board in India. 2. Students who have secured ranks within the top 10,000 in JEE Main, JEE Advanced, or NEET. 3. KVPY, NTSE, JBNSTS scholars, or International Olympiad medallists. All eligible students must be pursuing a Bachelor's (B.Sc., B.S., B.Sc. with Research), or Integrated Master's (Int. M.Sc./M.S.) degree in Natural and Basic Sciences. The scholarship does not apply to professional or technical courses such as Engineering, Medicine, or Architecture.
What are the conditions for renewal of the INSPIRE SHE Scholarship?
The scholarship is renewable annually for a maximum of five years, contingent on maintaining satisfactory academic performance. Scholars must achieve at least 60% marks or an equivalent CGPA/grade (≥ 7.0) in all subjects in their previous academic year, in the first attempt. They must also continue to be enrolled in an eligible natural or basic science program and submit annual performance reports and mark sheets through the online portal within the stipulated deadlines. Failure to meet these academic or submission requirements may lead to forfeiture of the scholarship for that year.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Department of Science and Technology (DST) website before final submission.