📌About the Event

INSPIRE–MANAK 2026–27 is a nationwide school innovation programme designed to encourage students to identify everyday societal problems and develop original science- and technology-based solutions. MANAK stands for Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge. Recognised schools nominate their most innovative student ideas, which are evaluated through district-, state- and national-level exhibitions and project competitions. The programme is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation–India.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Theme: Original science and technology ideas addressing everyday or societal problems
• Mode of nomination: Online through the E-Management of INSPIRE–MANAK Scheme, or E-MIAS, portal
• Who submits the nomination: The student’s school Principal, Headmaster or authorised school official
• Mode of participation: Individual participation; team or group entries are not accepted
• Competition structure:
  • School-level idea identification and nomination
  • District Level Exhibition and Project Competition, or DLEPC
  • State Level Exhibition and Project Competition, or SLEPC

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📅 Important Dates

• Official notification issued: 13 July 2026
• Online nominations opened: 15 July 2026
• Last date for school nominations: 15 September 2026

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Who can participate:
  • Students studying in Classes 6 to 12 can participate.
  • Students must be enrolled in a recognised school in India.
• Eligible institutions include:
  • Government schools
  • Private schools
  • Government-aided or unaided schools
  • Schools affiliated with national or state education boards
  • Schools run by central or state governments, local bodies or eligible organisations
  • Entries must be submitted by individual students rather than teams.
  • Students of Classes 11 and 12 are eligible only from the Science stream.
  • A school can submit a maximum of five ideas, including no more than two ideas from Classes 11 and 12.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• Around 1,00,000 shortlisted students receive ₹10,000 each as the INSPIRE Award.
• The award amount is transferred directly to the selected student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer.
• The ₹10,000 award is intended to help students develop their ideas into models or working prototypes.
• District-level winners receive an opportunity to participate in the State Level Exhibition and Project Competition.
• State-level winners receive:
  • Prototype-development support
  • Mentoring from the National Innovation Foundation
  • Guidance from reputed academic, research and technology institutions
  • An opportunity to participate in the National Level Exhibition and Project Competition