Applications are invited from eligible candidates for `Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)’
component of INSPIRE. Total of 10,000 scholarships are available annually under SHE starting April 2008.
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research
(INSPIRE) is a Programme launched by the Government of India to strengthen the National
Science and Technology base. It is being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
About INSPIRE: Programme includes three components namely Scheme for Early Attraction of
Talents for Science (SEATS), Scholarships for Higher Education (SHE) and Assured Opportunity for
Research Careers (AORC). The Scheme SHE is focused on attraction of talent to study of natural/
basic sciences at the bachelor and master’s level education. SHE is currently limited to support
for educational programmes at BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc and integrated master’s level course in sciences
leading to MSc in any branch of natural and basic sciences namely mathematics, statistics, physics,
chemistry, earth sciences and life sciences.
Criteria for Eligibility for SHE
a) Based on Performance in Board Examinations: The candidates should have obtained aggregate
marks in the top 1% in the board examination at both class X and XII levels. For example, the
candidates applying for the award in 2008 should have secured marks within the top 1% in class
X in the year 2005 and class XII in 2007 in the respective board examinations and joined a degree
course leading to BSc or BSc (Hons) of integrated MSc in natural/basic sciences in any institution
in India and returned to study of second year in the academic year 2008-09. Cut-off marks for
various board examinations conduced in the year 2005 and 2007 are listed in Table 1.
b) Based on Performance in Competitive Examinations (specified in Table 2).: Performance within
the top 10,000 ranks in Joint Entrance Examination of IIT, AIEEE and CBSE-medical and joining
courses in degree level courses in natural/basic sciences in any recognized Indian institution.
The scheme in its current format does not include courses in engineering, medicine, technology
and other professional courses.
c) Based on Performance in Competitive Examinations
(specified in Table 3): Clearance of competitive examinations conducted by institutions
listed in Table 3 and all candidates securing admissions and joining courses in natural/basic
sciences conduced by Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), National
Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), integrated MSc courses in Indian Institutes
of Technology, Department of Atomic Energy – Centre for Basic Science (DAE-CBS) course from the
academic year 2008-09 are eligible.
Value and Type of Support: Eligible candidates will receive annually scholarship total value
Rs 80,000 per candidate. The cash value payable to the SHE scholarship holder is Rs 60,000 per annum.
All the SHE scholars are undertake summer time attachment to an active researcher in recognized research
centers in the country. A summer time attachment fee of Rs 20,000 will be paid to the mentoring
institution for undertaking summer time project.
Duration of the Support: Selected candidates will be supported for a maximum period of
five years starting 1st year course in BSc, BSc (Hons) and integrated course leading to MSc
or the completion of the course, which ever is earlier. Continuation of the scholarship for
once selected candidates is based on satisfactory performance of the examinations conducted
and certified by the institution imparting education.
Format for Application: All interested and eligible candidates (as per Table 1
for Board examination based eligibility or as per Table 2 or Table 3 for competitive
examination based eligibility) must apply in the prescribed format along with attested
copy of i) Mark sheets of Class X and Class XII and ii) Certificate from Principal of the
College/ Director or Registrar of the Institute or University where the applicant is
presently enrolled.
Last Date for submission of Application forms
Within one month from the date of advertisement.
Send your applications in the prescribed format to
The Director, National Institute of Science, Technology & Development Studies (NISTADS), Dr. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-
110012. Superscribe the envelope "Application for INSPIRE Scholarship 2007 or 2008".
Detailed advertisement and application form available at INSPIRE
