INSPIRE SHE SCHOLARSHIP 2026
Government of India
INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026: Rs 80,000 Per Year from DST Government of India for Science Student
The INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026 is one of India’s most prestigious government scholarships for students who love science. Officially called the Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), it is part of the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The SHE component of INSPIRE aims to encourage meritorious students to study basic and natural sciences at the undergraduate level through attractive scholarship and mentorship opportunities. It offers 12,000 scholarships every year to meritorious students in the age group 17 to 22 years.
The INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026 application window is expected to open in early 2026. Applications must be submitted through the official portal at online-inspire.gov.in.
About the INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organiser | Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India |
| Category | Government Scholarship, Science and Research |
| Scholarship Amount | Rs 80,000 per year |
| Number of Scholarships | 10,000 to 12,000 per year |
| Duration | Up to 5 years (UG to integrated PG) |
| Eligible Streams | Natural and Basic Sciences only (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, Geology, Astrophysics, Electronics, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, etc.) |
| Age Limit | 17 to 22 years |
| Application Mode | Online at online-inspire.gov.in |
| Application Status | Expected to open March 2026 watch portal |
Who Can Apply for the INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026?
Students who are among the top 1% in Class 12 standard at their respective Board Examinations, students who have secured top 10,000 ranks in JEE Advanced or in NEET, as well as students admitted to IISERs, NISER, and DAE Centre for Basic Sciences, who are KVPY, NTSE, or JBNSTS scholars, and Science Olympiad medallists, all opting to study Natural and Basic Sciences in any academic institute, are eligible for the scholarship. Engineering, Medicine, and other professional courses are NOT eligible under this scheme.
Scholarship Amount Breakdown
The INSPIRE scholarship amount is divided into two parts: annual scholarship of Rs 60,000 and summer attachment fees of Rs 20,000. The yearly scholarship of Rs 60,000 is transferred into the student’s account in monthly instalments of Rs 5,000. Summer attachment fees of Rs 20,000 are paid to students who participate in the summer research project.
Prize and Recognition
The INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026 provides Rs 80,000 per year for up to 5 years. Scholars also receive mentorship support and access to summer research projects at recognised Indian research institutions.
Important Dates
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Application Window Opens | Expected March 2026 monitor portal |
| Result Announcement | Expected June 2026 |
| Renewal Deadline | Within 12 months of previous year results |
Contact Information
- Official Portal: online-inspire.gov.in
- Official DST Page: dst.gov.in/inspire-scheme
- Email: inspire.prog-dst@nic.in