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 | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
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 scholarship provides a total of ₹80,000 per annum for a maximum period of five years. 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. Scholars are advised to link their Aadhaar to their bank accounts.
₹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 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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Board-wise cutoff marks are released on the official website
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Alternatively, students who have secured ranks within the top 10,000 in JEE Main, JEE Advanced, or NEET, or are KVPY, NTSE, JBNSTS scholars, or International Olympiad medallists, are also eligible if they are pursuing courses in Natural and Basic Sciences at the B.Sc., B.S., or integrated M.Sc./M.S. level
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The selection process typically takes at least four months from the application deadline, after which provisional offer letters are issued via the INSPIRE web portal.
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) 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 and receive a recommendation from the Head of their Institution
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Annual renewal documents, including performance reports and mark sheets, must be submitted online through the INSPIRE portal
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Failure to meet academic criteria or timely submission may lead to forfeiture of the scholarship for that academic year.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Visit the Official Portal
Go to the INSPIRE web portal: `https://online-inspire.gov.in`.
- 2New User Registration
Click on 'New User? Register Here' to create an account. You will need a valid email ID, which will serve as your login ID.
- 3Login and Select Scholarship
After verifying your email, log in using your credentials. Navigate to the 'Scholarship' section and select the 'INSPIRE-SHE' scholarship option.
- 4Fill Application Form
Carefully fill in all required personal, academic (Class 12 details, current educational information), and contact details.
- 5Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of essential documents, including your Class 12 marksheet, proof of admission to an eligible course, and a passport-size photograph.
- 6Review and Submit
Cross-check all entered details for accuracy before submitting the application. Save the acknowledgment slip for future reference.
- 7Status Tracking
To check your application status, log in to the portal using your Login ID and Password, and then enter your Application Reference Number. *Note*: The INSPIRE SHE scholarship program is currently under redesign. While the core details remain consistent, specific application opening and closing dates for the 2025-26/2026 cycle are subject to official announcements on the portal. Typically, applications open in September or early October and close by late December.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Is the INSPIRE SHE Scholarship available for the 2025-26 or 2026 academic year, given reports of a hold?
Yes, the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) scheme has not been discontinued. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has stated that it is temporarily under redesign to strengthen its objectives and align with emerging priorities. While the notification for the 2025-26 cycle experienced delays, the scheme continues to award scholarships annually, with beneficiaries rising in 2025-26. Students should monitor the official INSPIRE portal for the most current application dates and announcements related to new batches.
What happens if a scholar changes their course of study or takes a break during the scholarship tenure?
If a scholar changes their course of study, it must remain within the eligible natural and basic science streams for the scholarship to continue. Changes to professional or technical courses (e.g., Engineering, Medicine, Architecture) will result in immediate discontinuation. If a student takes a one-year or longer break between their B.Sc. and M.Sc. courses, the scholarship will be discontinued.
What are the consequences if a scholar fails to meet the minimum academic performance for renewal in a given year?
If a scholar does not secure a minimum of 60% marks (or equivalent CGPA/grade) in all subjects in the previous academic year, or fails in any subject, the Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) for that academic year shall be forfeited. The scholarship may only be resumed in subsequent years if the scholar satisfies the renewal conditions.
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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.