INSPIRE, 2008- Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research

Policy Update
Kiranmanonmani. Y

Introduction

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“The Science of today is the technology of tomorrow”- Edward Teller. This quote emphasises that there is a growing need for developing a scientific research and development base in India. Making India a Science hub with more individuals, students, and scholars is also important to develop a deep interest in science. Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research is a programme launched by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to attract talented individuals who specialise in research in the science field. The main objective of this programme is to encourage students aged 10 to 27 years to pursue higher education in various science subjects through scholarships, fellowships, and awards for exceptional participants. The Government of India has approved the INSPIRE Scheme in November 2008 at a total cost of about Rs 1979.25 crores in the 11th Plan Period, and the Honourable Prime Minister launched the programme on 13th December 2008. The programme continues in the 12th Plan period at a budgetary allocation of Rs. 2200 crores. The programme falls under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, headed by Honourable Minister of State Dr.Jitendra Singh and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Prof.Abhay Karandikar. 

Background of the scheme

Before the implementation of the INSPIRE scheme, India’s science research and development (R&D) landscape lacked a focused effort to attract and nurture young talent in science, especially at the early stages of their education. The existing system relied on competitive exams for identification of talent, which was not conducive to attracting and retaining individuals with a passion for science. INSPIRE scheme was implemented to focus especially on developing research and development in science without the need for competitive exams and nurture the talent in science.

Components of the Scheme

The INSPIRE scheme consists of three components, namely,

  • Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent(SEATS Programme), which includes INSPIRE internship and INSPIRE awards.
  • Scholarship for Higher Education(SHE Programme), which includes the INSPIRE Scholarship
  • Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC), which includes the INSPIRE fellowship and the INSPIRE Faculty awards.

The Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent(SEATS Programme) is targeted at the students of the age group of 10 to 15 years studying in classes 6 to 10 to enjoy science subjects by providing Rs 5000 to one million young learners. The scheme also includes summer camps for 50,000 students of class 11 who took the science stream to learn about science experiments every year under the INSPIRE Internship programme. Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) aims to enhance the rates of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science-intensive programmes, which includes 5 5-day summer camp on science experiments by experts for students and discussions related to science and technology. The scheme offers 10,000 scholarships every year at Rs 0.80 lakh per year for the talented youth in the age group 17-22 years, for undertaking Bachelor’s and Master’s level education in natural sciences. The main feature of the scheme is the mentorship support provided to every scholar.

 Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC) aims to attract, attach, retain and nourish talented young scientific Human Resources to strengthen the R&D foundation and base. It has two sub-components. In the first component, i.e. INSPIRE Fellowship (age group of 22-27 years), it offers 1000 fellowships yearly, for carrying out doctoral degrees in basic and applied sciences, including engineering and medicine. In the second component, i.e. INSPIRE Faculty Scheme, it offers an assured opportunity every year for 1000 post-doctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 years, through contractual and tenure track positions for 5 years in both basic and applied sciences areas.

INSPIRE-MANAK

Under the INSPIRE-MANAK(Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) awards programme, many students across India participated and showcased their socially useful science innovations. INSPIRE-MANAK scheme targets ten (10.0) lakh ideas from more than five (05) lakh middle and high schools across the country every year. Out of these, one lakh ideas are eligible for the INSPIRE Award of Rs. 10,000/-each.  Innovations like multi-utility kitchen equipment, stretcher embedded with shock absorber, etc, were showcased by students and bagged awards. Students from classes 6 to 10 can participate in this competition and are required to showcase their original innovations and societal applications to foster a culture of creativity and an innovative mindset among children. It also encourages students to pursue core STEM fields during their higher studies. The awards are being executed by DST with National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body of DST. The INSPIRE – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) is executed by the Department of Science & Technology and National Innovation Foundation-India to align it with the action plan for the “Start-up India” initiative. The scheme aims to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening, expanding the science and technology system and increasing the research & development based on the same by inviting students from all government and private schools throughout the country and enabling them to send their original & creative technological ideas/innovations on the same. In the year 2020-2021, it brought 6.53 lakh ideas from more than 2 lakh middle and high schools across the country. The best of them are shortlisted for showcasing at the district, state and then at the National Level Exhibition & Project Competition.

INSPIRE Faculty

Since the inception of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship component of INSPIRE in 2011, 1,601 young researchers have been granted the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship for pursuing an independent research career in India. Out of the total supported INSPIRE Faculty Fellows, 926 have secured regular/ permanent position in academic and/ research institutions across the country. INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship component of INSPIRE scheme has in-built mechanism/ measures to assess the research output and impact of research work carried out by the INSPIRE Faculty Fellows. 

Challenges

The major challenges faced by the government in the implementation of the INSPIRE scheme are:

  • Reach and access:

It takes tremendous effort for the Department of Science and Technology to ensure that the INSPIRE scheme reaches all meritorious students and has a significant impact on their future career choices. This is also a challenge to ensure that maximum students benefit from the scheme and it reaches the nooks and corners, especially in a big and diverse country like India.

  • Long-term impact:

Keeping students engaged and motivated in pursuing scientific research throughout their academic journey is a challenge that requires ongoing support and encouragement. It is a long, drawn-out process and also a major challenge to the Department of Science and Technology to keep the process going on without any hindrance or obstacles. There have been concerns and complaints that the INSPIRE scheme hasn’t created sufficient job opportunities for fellows after their tenure. It questions the fulfillment of long term objective of the scheme.

  • Financial sustainability

Another major challenge is to ensure that sufficient financial resources are allocated to support the INSPIRE scheme’s various components, including scholarships, training programs, and research exposures, which is crucial as well. Some fellows have expressed concerns about the amount of research grant provided, especially compared to the cost of conducting research in certain fields. It is very much necessary to provide sufficient funds to the fellows as many of scientific research and experiments are expensive and the funds are required at the time of need.

  • Administrative issues:

There are so many administrative and logistical issues in conducting summer camps and science exhibitions under the INSPIRE scheme. The process of identifying deserving students is also a major concern. The INSPIRE scheme has strict rules regarding changes to host institutions or research proposals, which can be challenging for fellows who need to adjust their plans. The selection process may be susceptible to biases, as it relies on the existing educational structure rather than conducting independent talent identification exams.

Conclusion

In the years 2024 to 2025, 11741 students benefited from the Scholarship for Higher Education(SHE), one of the components of the scheme. The inception of the INSPIRE Scheme has inspired students, researchers and faculty members across the country to develop and apply their knowledge of science in real life, and it has also provided awareness to many students in the rural and backwards areas about the scope of pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM) subjects by providing scholarships, internships and conducting summer camps. 

References

About the Contributor

Kiranmanonmani. Y is an Economics Hons student at Hansraj College, University of Delhi, and a research intern at Impact and Policy Research Institute(IMPRI).

Acknowledgment

The author would like to express sincere gratitude to Ms.Aasthaba Jadeja and the IMPRI team for their guidance throughout the writing of this article.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.

Read more at IMPRI:

Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), 2017

PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE SCHEME, 2020: TRANSFORMING INDIA’S SOLAR MANUFACTURING LANDSCAPE

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