Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.
| Scheme | INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) |
|---|---|
| Ministry or Department | Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India |
| Benefit | Rs 5,000 a month scholarship and Rs 20,000 a year mentorship grant |
| Who can apply | Meritorious students aged 17 to 22 studying BSc, BS or Int MSc/MS in basic and natural sciences |
| How it is paid | Scholarship paid to selected students through the portal |
| Apply at | online-inspire.gov.in |
| Cost to apply | Free |
Key points
- 12,000 scholarships are awarded every year across India.
- You must be between 17 and 22 years old.
- Only basic and natural sciences courses qualify.
- Your rank in Class 12 or JEE/NEET decides eligibility.
So what exactly do selected students get?
Selected students get a scholarship of Rs 5,000 per month.
They also get a mentorship grant of Rs 20,000 per year.
The scholarship is meant to help you study basic and natural sciences at the undergraduate level.
Amounts can change, so please confirm the current figures on the official site.
Who can apply, and who cannot?
You must be in the age group of 17 to 22 years.
You must be pursuing a BSc, BS, or International MSc or MS in a basic or natural science.
Subjects include physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, biology, astronomy, geology, electronics, botany, zoology and more.
You must be among the top 1% of Class 12 students from any state or central board. Alternatively, you can have a JEE or NEET rank within the qualifying range.
Students in engineering, medicine, commerce or arts courses do not qualify.
A quick background: why does this scheme exist?
The Department of Science and Technology runs INSPIRE to attract talent towards science.
The scheme aims to encourage meritorious students to study basic sciences at the undergraduate level.
Each year has its own application window, so check the official site for the current cycle.
What documents should you keep ready?
Keep your Class 12 marksheet and your date of birth proof handy.
Keep your JEE or NEET rank card ready if you are applying on that basis.
Have a valid email ID and mobile number, since login details are generated and sent to you.
Keep a passport size photograph and a scanned signature in the right formats.
So how do you apply online, step by step?
Go to online-inspire.gov.in on the official website.
For a new scholarship, click on the new user registration page.
Fill in all the required information and submit it.
Log in with the credentials generated, and your candidate dashboard will appear.
Complete the application form, upload your documents, and click submit.
Take a printout of the application form for future reference.
- 1Visit the official portalGo to online-inspire.gov.in on the official website.
- 2Register as a new userFor a new scholarship, click the new user registration page, fill in all required information and submit it.
- 3Log in to your dashboardLog in with the generated credentials to open your candidate dashboard.
- 4Complete form and upload documentsFill in the application form, upload your documents and click submit.
- 5Save a printoutTake a printout of the application form for future reference.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Is there an offline way to apply?
INSPIRE SHE is mainly an online scheme, handled through the official portal.
There is no separate offline application route that I can reliably confirm.
If in doubt, check the official site for any notice about offline options.
How do you check status, and what if something goes wrong?
Log in to your candidate dashboard to see your application status.
For help, use the contact details listed on the official portal.
Be careful of agents or websites asking for money. Applying is free, so never pay anyone to apply.
Important tips to avoid mistakes
Apply well before the last date, as the portal can slow down near the deadline.
Double-check your name, date of birth and marks against your certificates.
Do not share your login details with anyone.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do selected students get?
Selected students get Rs 5,000 per month as scholarship and Rs 20,000 per year as mentorship grant. Please confirm the latest figures on the official site.
How many scholarships are given every year?
The scheme awards 12,000 scholarships every year to eligible students.
Can engineering or medical students apply?
No, the scheme is for basic and natural science courses such as BSc, BS and Int MSc/MS.
Is there a last date to apply?
Yes, each cycle has a deadline. For example, the 2023 window closed on November 9, 2023. Check the official site for the current date.
Is there any fee to apply?
No, applying is free. Never pay anyone who asks you for money to apply.
Official links
This guide is based on official scheme rules. Rules and amounts can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply. News Anek is not a government website.
