PARLIAMENT QUESTION: INSPIRE PROGRAMME

The INSPIRE Programme of the Ministry of Science & Technology, covering four components – INSPIRE‑MANAK, INSPIRE‑SHE, INSPIRE Fellowship and INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship – has supported a growing number of students and young researchers over the last five years. INSPIRE‑MANAK benefitted 52,720 students in 2021‑22, 43,381 in 2022‑23, 46,926 in 2023‑24, 50,009 in 2024‑25 and 49,805 in 2025‑26. INSPIRE‑SHE awarded 12,000 scholarships annually, with beneficiaries ranging from 18,039 to 24,276 across the same period. INSPIRE Fellowship supported 2,768‑3,364 fellows annually, while INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship supported 474‑477 post‑doctoral fellows each year. The programme also emphasizes outreach to rural and remote districts through state‑level dissemination, exhibitions, and mentorship collaborations with premier institutions.