New Delhi: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is intensifying efforts to draw young minds toward science and research through a suite of national programmes—INSPIRE-MANAK, INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), and Vigyan Jyoti—aimed at nurturing talent from school to university levels and bolstering India’s R&D ecosystem.

Under the INSPIRE-MANAK scheme, students aged 10 to 17 are encouraged to propose innovative science ideas, with recognised schools nominating up to five students each year via the E-MIAS portal. Selected participants receive ₹10,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer to build models and showcase their work across District, State, and National exhibitions. From nearly one million annual submissions, around 50,000 ideas are chosen based on novelty and originality, with state-level winners receiving mentoring for prototype development and possible commercialization.

The INSPIRE-SHE programme supports young talent pursuing higher education in natural and basic sciences, awarding 12,000 scholarships annually—each worth ₹0.80 lakh—to students aged 17 to 22. Eligible scholars must be in the top 1% of their school boards and maintain a minimum annual score of 60%. Around 4,000 scholars also undergo guided summer research internships lasting 6–8 weeks.

Meanwhile, Vigyan Jyoti focuses on empowering meritorious girls from classes 9 to 12, especially from underrepresented areas, to consider STEM pathways. Through counselling sessions, role model interactions, visits to research institutions, tinkering activities, academic support, and structured mentorship, the programme seeks to build conceptual clarity, leadership, and motivation for higher studies and careers in STEM fields.

Together, these DST initiatives aim to cultivate early scientific curiosity, expand access to research opportunities, and increase participation—especially among girls—in India’s growing science and technology landscape.