Quick Answer
The INSPIRE SHE Scholarship pays ₹80,000 per year (₹60,000 as ₹5,000 per month, plus a ₹20,000 summer mentorship grant) for up to five years. It is open to students aged 17–22 who study a BSc, BS or Integrated MSc/MS in an eligible Natural or Basic Science and who were in the top 1% of their Class 12 board, ranked within the top 10,000 in JEE or NEET, or are NTSE/JBNSTS scholars or Olympiad medalists. There is no income limit. Apply only at online-inspire.gov.in when DST announces the call.
Key Takeaways (2026 update)
- Amount clarified: ₹80,000 is the total yearly value. The ₹20,000 mentorship grant is included in it, not added on top.
- Real 5-year maximum: about ₹4 lakh (5 × ₹80,000), and about ₹2.4 lakh for a 3-year BSc.
- Dates: DST sets the window each cycle. We could not confirm a live call with a fixed closing date as of October 10, 2026, so verify on the portal.
- Courses: only Natural and Basic Sciences. BTech, MBBS, BCA, BA and BCom are out.
- No fee, no agent: the portal is free. Never pay anyone to apply.
INSPIRE SHE is run by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India
What is the INSPIRE Scholarship (SHE)?
The INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) is a flagship merit scholarship of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. INSPIRE stands for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research. SHE is one of its three stages. The first stage, SEATS, attracts school students to science. The second, SHE, supports them through college. The third, AORC, offers research careers.
SHE targets students who rank at the top of their class, choose a basic science degree and might otherwise drift to other fields. DST announces 12,000 scholarships each year under the scheme. Selection rests on marks or rank, not on family income, so a student from any background can compete.
In plain terms, the scheme pays you to study physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and related subjects, and it pushes you into a research lab every summer. That second part matters. Most scholarships only hand over money. INSPIRE SHE expects scholars to complete a summer research project under an active researcher, which builds a research profile early.
This guide is for Class 12 toppers, JEE/NEET rankers, parents and counsellors. It covers the exact amount, who qualifies, the courses on the list, the documents, the application steps, renewal rules and the mistakes that cost students their award. It also corrects several numbers that circulate widely online.
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | INSPIRE – Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) |
| Offered by | Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India |
| Annual value | ₹80,000 (₹60,000 scholarship + ₹20,000 mentorship grant) |
| Monthly scholarship | ₹5,000 per month |
| Tenure | Up to 5 years or course completion, whichever is earlier |
| Awards per year | 12,000 scholarships |
| Age group | 17–22 years (as per call notification) |
| Courses | BSc, BS, Integrated MSc/MS in Natural and Basic Sciences |
| Income limit | None |
| Application mode | Online only at online-inspire.gov.in |
| Payment | Direct Benefit Transfer to bank account |
| Helpdesk email | inspire.prog-dst@nic.in |
INSPIRE Scholarship Amount & Benefits
The headline number is ₹80,000 per year. Many websites, including earlier versions of this page, describe it as ₹80,000 plus another ₹20,000. DST's own scheme description says otherwise: the ₹80,000 already contains the mentorship grant. Here is the correct split.
| Component | Amount | How it is paid | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual scholarship | ₹60,000 per year | ₹5,000 per month equivalent, via DBT | Tuition, books, living costs |
| Summer mentorship grant | ₹20,000 per year | For the summer research project | Research work under a mentor |
| Total value | ₹80,000 per year | Subject to yearly performance | — |
Total benefit by course length
| Course | Years | Scholarship (₹60,000/yr) | Mentorship (₹20,000/yr) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (3-year) | 3 | ₹1,80,000 | ₹60,000 | ₹2,40,000 |
| BS (4-year) | 4 | ₹2,40,000 | ₹80,000 | ₹3,20,000 |
| Integrated MSc/MS (5-year) | 5 | ₹3,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹4,00,000 |
What ₹80,000 covers
At many central and state universities the yearly tuition for a BSc is a fraction of ₹80,000. For those students the scholarship covers fees and leaves money for books, a laptop, hostel costs or exam preparation. At premier institutes and private universities, where fees are higher, it still offsets a large share of the bill. The mentorship component adds a different kind of value: a research placement that can lead to a recommendation letter, a project report or a conference poster.
INSPIRE Scholarship Value Calculator
Pick your course length to see the maximum value you could receive if you meet the continuation rules every year.
Calculate your total
INSPIRE SHE Eligibility Criteria
You must satisfy the age, course and merit route conditions together. Missing any one of them makes the application invalid.
- ✔Age 17–22 years: DST's call notifications invite candidates in this age group. Check the reference date in the current notification.
- ✔Eligible course: BSc, BS or Integrated MSc/MS in a Natural or Basic Science subject from the official list (see next section).
- ✔One qualifying merit route: top 1% in Class 12 of a State or Central board (same year), or a rank within the top 10,000 in JEE (IIT) or NEET (AIPMT), or NTSE scholar, JBNSTS scholar or International Olympiad medalist.
- ✔Indian national: the scheme is for Indian nationals.
- ✔Regular course: education portals note the award is for regular, full-time students.
- ✔No income ceiling: family income does not matter.
Merit routes compared
| Route | What qualifies | Proof to keep ready | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board top 1% | Top 1% in Class 12 of a State/Central board, same year; DST sets board-wise cut-offs | Class 12 marksheet; board advisory note if issued | Most applicants |
| JEE (IIT) / NEET | Rank within top 10,000 | Rank card / scorecard | Students who chose science over engineering or medicine |
| NTSE / JBNSTS | Scholar status | Scholar certificate | Talent-search winners |
| International Olympiad | Medalist | Medal certificate | Olympiad participants |
Who is not eligible
- Students in engineering (BTech/BE), medicine (MBBS/BDS) or pharmacy programmes.
- Students in BCA, BBA, BA, BCom or other non-science degrees.
- Applicants outside the 17–22 age group, unless the current notification says otherwise.
- Students whose board result year does not match the call (the board route is for the same year's Class 12 result).
- Students who do not clear the board-wise top 1% cut-off and have no JEE/NEET or talent-search route.
Eligible Subjects & Courses
Recent official notifications list these Natural and Basic Science subjects at BSc, BS and Integrated MSc/MS level:
Course type quick table
| Programme | Eligible? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BSc (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Statistics etc.) | ✅ Yes | Must be a listed subject |
| BS (research-oriented, e.g. at IISERs) | ✅ Yes | Counts as BS level |
| Integrated MSc / MS | ✅ Yes | Full 5-year tenure possible |
| BTech / BE | ❌ No | Engineering is excluded |
| MBBS / BDS / BPharm | ❌ No | Medical and pharmacy are excluded |
| BCA / BBA / BA / BCom | ❌ No | Not Natural and Basic Sciences |
Quick Eligibility Checker
Answer three questions for a fast indication. It is a guide only; the portal and DST notification decide.
INSPIRE SHE Dates, Cycle & Timeline
DST does not follow a fixed calendar. It publishes a call for applications, runs the portal for a window, then releases selection lists and asks selected candidates to upload documents by a stated deadline. Education portals recorded the 2024 call as running from about 1 September to 15 November 2024. Other portals have listed projected windows for later years, but those are estimates, not DST announcements.
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Call for applications | DST posts notification, eligibility and board-wise top 1% cut-offs | Set by DST each cycle |
| 2. Online application | Register, fill form, upload documents | Open for a fixed window |
| 3. Institute endorsement | Your college verifies enrolment using the endorsement form | Within the stated window |
| 4. Selection lists | Selected and rejected lists appear on the portal home page | After scrutiny |
| 5. Document upload | Selected candidates upload required documents | Time limit in offer letter |
| 6. Release and renewal | Funds by DBT; yearly performance report | Every year |
How to stay ahead of the next call
- Bookmark the Announcement page of the INSPIRE portal and check it weekly after your Class 12 result.
- Keep your marksheet, ID and bank details scanned and ready.
- Ask your college nodal officer in advance to expect an endorsement request.
- Be wary of social media posts that give exact dates without a link to a DST notice.
Documents Required for INSPIRE SHE
Keep clear, legible scans ready before you open the form. The portal lists the exact file formats and size limits in its user manual, so check them first. Blurred or cropped uploads are a frequent reason for queries.
- 📄 Class 12 marksheet – the core proof for the board top 1% route.
- 📄 Board eligibility or advisory note (if your board issues one) – not mandatory according to the call notification, but helpful.
- 📄 JEE (IIT) / NEET rank card – only for applicants using the rank route.
- 📄 NTSE / JBNSTS / Olympiad certificate – only for talent-search or medal routes.
- 📄 Admission proof or bonafide certificate – shows you are enrolled in an eligible course.
- 📄 Institute endorsement form – download the template from the INSPIRE portal and get it signed by the competent authority.
- 📄 Date of birth proof – needed to confirm the 17–22 age group.
- 📄 Aadhaar and bank account details – the account must be in your name for DBT.
- 📄 Recent passport-size photograph and signature – in the format the portal specifies.
Document checklist table
| Document | Needed by | Common problem |
|---|---|---|
| Class 12 marksheet | All board-route applicants | Scan cuts off roll number |
| Rank card | JEE/NEET route | Expired download link |
| Endorsement form | All | Missing seal or signature |
| Bank details | All | Account in a parent's name |
| Photo and signature | All | Wrong size or format |
How to Apply for INSPIRE SHE — Step-by-Step
The only valid way to apply is through online-inspire.gov.in. There is no offline form and no fee. Follow these steps in order.
Read the current call
Open the Announcement section and read the notification. Confirm the cycle, age group, subject list, board-wise cut-offs and closing date. This takes five minutes and prevents most rejections.
Register on the portal
Create an account using a working email ID and mobile number. Save the login details. Use the same name and date of birth as on your marksheet.
Choose Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
Select the SHE scheme and start a new application. Make sure you are not in a different INSPIRE component.
Fill personal, academic and course details
Enter board, roll number, marks or rank, and your current institute and course. Re-check every field against the original document.
Upload documents
Upload the marksheet, proof for your route, ID, bank details, photo and signature in the stated format and size.
Get institute endorsement
Download the endorsement form template, get it completed by your institute and submit it as the portal instructs. Follow up early; delays here are common.
Submit, save and track
Finalise, download the acknowledgement and keep it. Watch the portal home page, where selected and rejected lists are displayed. If selected, upload the requested documents within the offer-letter time limit.
Selection Process & Top 1% Cut-off
Selection is based on merit. DST checks your marks or rank against the published criteria for your route. For the board route, it compares your Class 12 marks with a cut-off for your specific board and year.
How the board cut-off works
The "top 1%" is not one national percentage. Boards differ in size and marking style, so DST publishes board-wise cut-off marks. A student from a board with tougher marking may qualify with a lower percentage than a student from a board that awards very high marks. DST's 2024 call stated that cut-offs for that year would be finalised using a "Board Inclusive Model". Always use the table in the current notification rather than a number from a blog.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there one national cut-off percentage? | No. Cut-offs are board-wise and change each year. |
| Where do I find my board's cut-off? | In the call notification on online-inspire.gov.in. |
| Does a higher percentage guarantee selection? | It helps, but you must also meet course, age and document rules. |
| Where are results shown? | Selected and rejected lists appear on the portal home page. |
| What happens after selection? | Upload the requested documents before the offer-letter deadline. |
If you are selected but have not received a letter
DST's guidelines address this case. Check the portal home page for your registration number and email the programme desk at inspire.prog-dst@nic.in with your INSPIRE/SHE registration number. Do not respond to unofficial callers asking for money.
Summer Mentorship Grant & Research Project
Every SHE scholar is expected to complete a summer research project under an active researcher at a recognised research centre in India. The ₹20,000 mentorship grant is paid each year for this purpose and forms part of the ₹80,000 annual value.
The project is the feature that makes INSPIRE different. A few weeks inside a real laboratory teaches you how research is planned, how data is recorded and how results are presented. For a first- or second-year student this is rare exposure. It also gives you a mentor who can write a recommendation for MSc, PhD or fellowship applications.
Where scholars commonly do projects
Timeline to plan your project
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Jan–Feb | Shortlist 8–10 labs and read their recent papers |
| Feb–Mar | Send personalised emails; follow up after 10 days |
| Apr | Confirm mentor, dates and project topic |
| May–Jul | Complete the project and keep a daily log |
| After project | Submit the report in the portal's format |
Renewal & Continuation Rules
The scholarship runs up to five years or until you finish the course, whichever comes first. Each year's payment depends on your previous year's performance and on filing the required report.
Continuation conditions
- ✔Marks: at least 60% (or equivalent GPA, often cited as 7.0) in the annual or semester exams on the first attempt.
- ✔Same course: stay in the eligible science programme. Switching out ends the award.
- ✔Performance report: submit the year-wise report in the prescribed format on the portal.
- ✔Summer project: complete the research project each year as required.
INSPIRE SHE: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ₹80,000 per year with no income limit
- Runs up to five years, covering an Integrated MSc
- Built-in summer research with a mentor
- Paid by DBT, with no agent or fee
- Strong line on a CV for MSc, PhD and fellowships
- Open to students across all boards
Cons
- Very competitive: board top 1% or top-10,000 rank
- Limited to listed Natural and Basic Sciences
- Yearly marks and report requirements
- You must find your own lab and mentor
- Application dates are not fixed in advance
- Institute endorsement can cause delays
Is it worth it?
For a student who is committed to a science degree, yes. The money is meaningful, but the research exposure is the bigger asset. If you are still unsure between science and engineering, remember that a switch later ends the scholarship.
Common Mistakes & Reasons for Rejection
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Applying with an ineligible course | BTech, MBBS, BCA and similar are excluded | Check the subject list first |
| Using a blog's cut-off | Cut-offs are board-wise and change yearly | Use the official notification |
| Data mismatch | Name or DOB differs from documents | Copy details exactly |
| Poor scans | Illegible documents are queried or rejected | Use a scanner, not a dim photo |
| Skipping endorsement | Application stays incomplete | Brief your nodal officer early |
| Wrong bank details | DBT fails or is delayed | Verify the account and IFSC |
| Paying an "agent" | Free, official portal only | Apply yourself on the portal |
| Missing the yearly report | Next payment can stop | Set a yearly reminder |
Expert Tips to Strengthen Your Application
The call is not on a fixed date, so early checking beats late discovery.
Create one folder with every file in the right size and format.
Use an active account in your own name and match the details everywhere.
Many colleges have never handled an INSPIRE endorsement. Hand over the template and a deadline.
Portal notices and offer letters reach you there.
Marks and the performance report decide continuation.
Good labs fill up early, and mentors respond to students who have read their work.
The continuation rule counts first attempts, so avoid backlogs.
INSPIRE SHE vs Other Major Scholarships in India
Amounts and rules change, so confirm each scheme on its official page. This table shows how INSPIRE SHE sits among common options.
INSPIRE SHE and KVPY
KVPY, the older DST fellowship exam, is no longer conducted. Earlier pages claimed it merged into SHE. We could not verify a merger, so we only say that KVPY cannot be used as a new route; use the board, JEE/NEET or talent-search routes.
| Scheme | Approx. benefit | For whom | Income limit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE SHE (DST) | ₹80,000/yr | BSc/BS/Int. MSc in basic sciences | None | Merit |
| CSIR-UGC JRF | About ₹37,000/month | NET-qualified MSc graduates | None | Exam |
| NMMS | ₹12,000/yr | Class 9–12 students | Yes | Merit + means |
| Central Sector Scheme (College & University) | About ₹12,000/yr (UG) | Top Class 12 percentile | Yes | Merit + means |
| Ishan Uday (UGC) | ₹5,400–₹7,800/month | North-East students | Yes | Merit + means |
Check the other scheme's terms before accepting a second award. If rules are unclear, ask the scheme's helpdesk in writing.
Glossary
- INSPIRE
- Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research, a DST programme to attract talent to science.
- SHE
- Scholarship for Higher Education, the INSPIRE component for college and university students.
- Mentorship grant
- ₹20,000 paid each year for a summer research project under a mentor.
- Top 1% cut-off
- Board-wise marks set by DST to identify the top 1% of Class 12 results.
- DBT
- Direct Benefit Transfer, payment straight into the scholar's bank account.
- Endorsement
- Verification by your institute that you are enrolled in an eligible course.
- Natural and Basic Sciences
- The group of science subjects listed in the INSPIRE notification.
Official Sources & How We Verified This Page
We compared this guide with DST's scheme description on MyScheme, DST call-for-application notifications, and the INSPIRE portal's guidelines. Where education portals disagreed with official text, we followed the official text. Last reviewed: October 10, 2026.
- INSPIRE Online Portal (DST)
- MyScheme: INSPIRE-SHE
- Department of Science & Technology
- Helpdesk: inspire.prog-dst@nic.in
UniPortal is an independent information site and is not affiliated with DST. Rules, amounts and dates can change; the official notification always prevails.
Frequently Asked Questions — INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026
Final Word: Should You Apply?
If you scored in your board's top 1%, or hold a top-10,000 JEE/NEET rank, and you plan to study a listed basic science, INSPIRE SHE is one of the strongest offers in India: ₹80,000 a year, up to five years, and a research placement built in. Read the live notification, assemble your documents now, get your institute ready to endorse, and apply as soon as DST opens the window.
Related guides: NMMS Scholarship, Merit-Based Scholarships, Scholarships for Girls, JEE Main and NEET.