INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
Offered by Ministry of Education, Govt of India
- Funding
- Partial funding
- Award
- ₹80,000/year for 5 years
- No. of awards
- 10,000 scholarships/year
- Deadline
- Rolling / varies
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Destination
- Study in India
Overview
A Department of Science & Technology scholarship encouraging top students to pursue basic and natural sciences.
INSPIRE-SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) is a Department of Science & Technology initiative that encourages India's top-performing students to pursue undergraduate and integrated postgraduate degrees in the natural and basic sciences, rather than defaulting to engineering or medicine. It combines a yearly scholarship with a mentored summer research component to nurture a future generation of scientists.
Eligibility
- Ranked within the top 1% in your Class 12 board examination, OR secured a qualifying rank in a recognised national/state exam (JEE, NEET, KVPY, etc.).
- Pursuing a B.Sc. / Int. M.Sc. / B.S. in the natural or basic sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, geology, etc.).
- Enrolled in a recognised Indian institution offering these courses.
- Continue to meet the minimum academic performance each year to retain the award.
Benefits
- ��80,000 per year — ₹60,000 as scholarship plus ₹20,000 for a summer research project.
- Support for up to five years of study.
- Access to a mentored summer research experience with active scientists.
- Recognition that strengthens applications for higher research programmes.
How to apply
- Create an account on the INSPIRE online portal (online-inspire.gov.in).
- Select the SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) component.
- Enter your board/exam rank and course enrolment details.
- Upload your eligibility proof and institution details.
- Submit and track your application through the portal.
Documents required
- Class 12 marksheet showing your rank/percentile
- Rank card of the qualifying national/state exam (if applicable)
- Admission/enrolment proof for your science degree
- Bank account details for direct benefit transfer
- Aadhaar and passport-size photograph
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