PARLIAMENT QUESTION: INNOVATION PURSUIT FOR INSPIRED RESEARCH (INSPIRE)

The Ministry of Science & Technology’s INSPIRE programme, covering INSPIRE‑MANAK, INSPIRE‑SHE, INSPIRE Fellowship and INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship, has supported thousands of students and young researchers over the last five years. INSPIRE‑MANAK reached 52,720 (2021‑22) to 49,805 (2025‑26) school students (ages 10‑17). INSPIRE‑SHE awarded 12,000 scholarships annually, with 24,276 beneficiaries in 2025‑26. INSPIRE Fellowship and Faculty Fellowship provided financial support to Ph.D. and post‑doctoral scholars, with 3,364 and 477 beneficiaries respectively in 2025‑26. The government has expanded outreach through state‑level dissemination, workshops, exhibitions and mentorship collaborations with IITs, NITs and IISERs, especially targeting rural and remote districts.