Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)

INSPIRE Programme

'Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research' (INSPIRE) is a flagship programme of the Government of India, implemented by the Department of Science and Technology since November 2008, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1989.59 Crores in the 11th Plan period and is continuing in the 12th Plan period in its full capacity at an allocation of about Rs. 2200 crores.  It aims to build a strong Research and  Development pool to strengthen the Science and Technology system of the country, by attracting talents for pursuit of Science.  So far, nearly 10 lakh students across the country, in age groups of 10 to 32 years, have been brought under the fold of the INSPIRE  Program in its various components. By now the Program has reached its targeted numbers of Scholarship, Fellowship etc., except in the Faculty Award component.

This student centric programme  has three components namely

1. Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS),
2. Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) and
3. Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC).

Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) is one of the scheme of the INSPIRE Program and it aims to enhance enrolment of talented youths into science intensive courses.  There is a provision of 10,000 Scholarships every year to offer students for pursuing courses in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Statistics, Microbiology and Geology at the 3 years Under-graduate (i.e. B.Sc.) and 2 years post-graduate (i.e. M.Sc.) or 5 years Integrated M.S. levels. Out of 10,000 Scholarships, 7500 Scholarships are being  provided through various Boards examinations  at Class  XII level and   the remaining 2500 Scholarships are being selected based on their performances  in National Level Competitive Examinations.  However, this Scholarship is  NOT  available for pursuing Engineering. Medicine, Bio-technology, Architecture and other applied science courses.

Each Scholarship is valued at Rs 80,000/- per year including a Mentorship Cost of Rs. 20,000/- per year and tenable for  a maximum period of five years.  The continuity of the Scholarship in every year depends on the academic performance of the student in the previous year.

The criteria for selection of students under SHE are as:-

I) Through State/Central Boards

Students (with aggregate marks) within top 1% in Class XII examination of any State/Central Boards in India,

ii) Through Competitive Examinations

(a) Students within top 10000 ranks in IIT-JEE or AIEEE or AIPMT examinations,

(b) Students who are having any one of the following : NTSE or KVPY or JBNSTS or International Olympiad medalists.