Lok Sabha Question No. 6128 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Promotion of Science Education and INSPIRE Scholarships in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Rajeev Rai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6128 ANSWERED ON 01/04/2026

## PROMOTION OF SCIENCE EDUCATION AND INSPIRE

## SCHOLARSHIPS IN UTTAR PRADESH

## 6128.  SHRI RAJEEV RAI:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of number of students from Mau district including Ghosi  constituency,  who  received  INSPIRE  scholarships  during  the years 2024-26 along with the total scholarship amount disbursed;
- (b) whether any students or institutions from the district have been supported under research or fellowship components of INSPIRE and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any science outreach or innovation promotion programmes  have  been  conducted  in  Mau  district  during  the  said period;
- (d) whether  any  review  has  been  undertaken  regarding  regional disparities in access to science scholarships; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  to  promote  STEM  education  and  research participation in rural areas such as Ghosi?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) The  Scholarship  for  Higher  Education  (SHE),  a  component  of INSPIRE, aims to enhance the rate of engagement of talented youth in pursuing higher education in science-intensive programs by providing scholarships and mentoring through summer attachments with leading researchers. The scheme offers 12,000 scholarships every year at the rate of ₹0.80 lakh per annum for pursuing Bachelor's and Master's level education in natural and basic sciences for talented youth in the age group of 17-22 years. The scholarship amount under this scheme is

transferred directly into the bank accounts of the students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The details of the number of students from  Mau  district,  including  the  Ghosi  constituency,  who  received INSPIRE scholarships during the last three years along with the total scholarship amount disbursed, are given below:

| Financial Year   | No. of Scholarship released in Mau District   | No. of Scholarship released in Mau District   | No. of Scholarship released in Ghosi Constituency   | No. of Scholarship released in Ghosi Constituency   |
|------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
|                  | No. of students                               | Amount Disbursed (Rs. in Lakh)                | No. of students                                     | Amount Disbursed (Rs. in Lakh)                      |
| 2023-24          | 93                                            | 190.20                                        | 11                                                  | 24.00                                               |
| 2024-25          | 79                                            | 188.40                                        | 9                                                   | 21.00                                               |
| 2025-26          | 84                                            | 223.20                                        | 3                                                   | 14.40                                               |

(b) The  INSPIRE  Fellowship  is  awarded  to  students  who  have secured  the  first  rank  in  Basic  and  Applied  Sciences,  including engineering,  medicine,  agriculture,  and  veterinary  sciences,  at  the university  or  academic  institution  level,  including  institutions  of national importance such as IITs, NITs, and IISERs. It is also offered to INSPIRE Scholars who have secured at least 70% aggregate marks at the M.Sc. level and are eligible for admission to a Ph.D. programme in  any  recognized university or academic institution in the country. The  INSPIRE  Faculty  Fellowship  provides  opportunities  to  postdoctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 years by offering a fiveyear fellowship in both basic and applied sciences, including engineering,  agriculture,  veterinary  sciences,  and  medicine.  The details of number of students supported under these components in the State of Uttar Pradesh including Mau district during the last three years are given below:

| Financial Year   | INSPIRE Fellowship   | INSPIRE Fellowship            | INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship   | INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship    |
|------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|                  | No. of Fellows       | Released Amount (Rs. In Lakh) | No. of Fellows               | Released Amount (Rs. In Lakh) |
| 2023-24          | 56                   | 304.20                        | 12                           | 174.00                        |
| 2024-25          | 18                   | 97.09                         | 2                            | 39.87                         |
| 2025-26          | 58                   | 291.39                        | 15                           | 163.75                        |

- (c) During the past three years, Mau district in Uttar Pradesh has witnessed  a  steady  expansion  in  science  outreach  and  innovation promotion activities under the INSPIRE-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) initiative. Each year, a  District  Level  Project  Exhibition  and  Competition  (DLPEC)  was organized,  providing  a  platform  for  school  students  to  showcase innovative ideas and scientific projects. Participation from the district increased significantly  over  time,  reflecting  improved  outreach  and growing interest among students. The number of beneficiaries from Mau  rose  from  11  in  2023-24  to  45  in  both  2024-25  and  2025-26, contributing to a total of 101 beneficiaries over the three-year period. In addition to INSPIRE-MANAK activities, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), through its National Council for Science and Technology Communication  (NCSTC) Division,  conducted  STEMM demonstration  programmes  and  mobile  science  exhibitions  in  the district.  These  initiatives  aimed  to  strengthen  scientific  awareness and communication among students, teachers, and the general public. Special efforts were  made  to reach rural and underprivileged communities through events such as Vigyan Jagrukta Melas, which promoted  scientific thinking and  highlighted  the  importance  of science  education,  particularly  among  SC/ST  and  rural  students. Furthermore, support for higher education was extended through the University Grants Commission's National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies (NSPG) Scheme, under which 11 students from Mau district received  scholarships  to  pursue  postgraduate  studies.  Collectively, these  initiatives  contributed  to  enhancing  scientific  temperament, encouraging  innovation,  and  broadening  participation  in  science education across Mau district.
- (d) The  Ministry  is  regularly  undertaking  reviews  regarding  the access of students to science scholarships. INSPIRE-Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) Scheme  is implemented following the inclusive growth model which provides equal opportunity to students from across the states. Each Central/State Education Board informs eligible  students  of  their  board  about  their  eligibility  for  INSPIRE scholarship.  Call  of  applications  for  INSPIRE-SHE  Scholarship  is notified online; results are declared through the INSPIRE web-portal and students are informed through their respective online web-portal accounts.   Scholarship  release  is  through  Direct  Benefit  Transfer

(DBT) mode in students bank account. Therefore, Ministry ensures that all the students can get fair chance to avail the science scholarship on competitive basis without any disparity.

- (e) The  Ministry  has  implemented  several  targeted  measures  to increase  the  participation  of  students  from  rural  areas  and  underrepresented  groups  in  scientific  research  programmes  such  as INSPIRE-MANAK.  To  expand  outreach,  awareness  meetings  are regularly conducted with State and District Nodal Officers, along with teacher  training  workshops  to  sensitize  and  encourage  schools  to participate.  A  comprehensive  multimedia  campaign  using  videos, posters,  social  media,  and  email  communication  has  also  been launched  to  reach  a  wider  audience,  particularly  in  remote  areas. These efforts have led to a steady rise in participation, with notable growth from rural regions. In addition to outreach, the Ministry has strengthened support mechanisms  for selected students. Each shortlisted student receives ₹10,000 to develop a prototype of their idea.  They  are  also  provided  access  to  mentoring  and  technical support  through  Atal  Tinkering  Labs  (ATLs).  Student's  progress through  structured  district,  state,  and  national-level  competitions, ensuring  continued  engagement  and  exposure.  Further,  mentoring workshops  are  organized  in  collaboration  with  premier  institutions such as IITs and NITs for students selected at advanced stages. Statelevel winners receive financial assistance to refine their prototypes for  national-level  presentation.  At  the  national  level,  students  are supported with incubation facilities, including patent filing assistance and technical guidance, enabling them to transform their ideas into scalable and socially relevant innovations.

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