Education news
DST INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026: Applications open till 7 December
· Source: Amar Ujala
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has started applications for the INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026 for Class 12 pass students pursuing science courses. Eligible candidates can submit their forms online at www.onlineinspire.gov.in till 7 December 2026.
INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026 Announced
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Central Government, has opened the application process for the INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026 after a wait of nearly two years. The scheme provides financial assistance to meritorious students pursuing higher education and research in science subjects. Major changes have been made to the scholarship rules this year.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last date to apply online | 7 December 2026 |
Scholarship Amount and Financial Aid
Selected students will receive Rs 5,000 per month for five years, which amounts to Rs 60,000 annually. In addition, an annual mentorship grant of Rs 20,000 will be provided in the third and fourth years for research work. Under the new rules, this mentorship grant has been limited to only two years instead of every year. As a result, the total financial aid provided over five years has reduced from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 3.40 lakh.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for the scheme must satisfy the following criteria:
- Age must be between 17 and 22 years.
- Must have passed the Class 12 examination in the year 2025.
- Must be enrolled in regular natural and basic science courses such as BSc, BS, or Integrated MSc/MS at a recognized institution.
- Must be among the top 1% in their Class 12 board examination, or have secured a top 10,000 rank in JEE Main, JEE Advanced, or NEET, or cleared NTSE, JBNSTS, or won medals in International Olympiads.
Selection Priority
Under the new guidelines, selection priority is structured as follows:
- First priority will be given to students who are in the top 1% of their board and enrolled in Integrated MSc or BS-MS courses.
- Next consideration will be for students with specified ranks in JEE or NEET, qualifiers of NTSE or JBNSTS, and International Olympiad medalists.
- Following these, students in the top 1% enrolled in regular BSc and BS courses will be considered.
Renewal and Performance Rules
The conditions to continue receiving the scholarship have been made stricter. If a student fails in the first year or scores below 60% marks or less than 7 CGPA, they will become ineligible for the entire scheme and will not receive any further scholarship. If a student fails in subsequent years or does not appear for the examination, the scholarship will be stopped immediately. The previous provision allowing the scholarship to resume the next year upon fulfilling certain conditions has now been removed.
Documents Required and Course Expansion
Applicants need to upload several documents, including a passport-size photograph, Class 10 marksheet as proof of date of birth, Class 12 marksheet, and an endorsement form signed by the college principal or director. Under the revised guidelines, the number of eligible undergraduate science courses has increased from 18 to 28, and postgraduate courses from 30 to 35, including subjects like Data Science, Environmental Science, and Biotechnology.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates can apply by visiting the official website www.onlineinspire.gov.in. Before applying, applicants must keep all required documents ready and carefully check the details entered in the form before submitting by 7 December 2026.
Questions
What is the monthly amount given under the INSPIRE SHE scholarship?
Selected candidates receive Rs 5,000 every month for five years, totaling Rs 60,000 per year.
What is the last date to apply for INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2026?
Eligible students can apply online through www.onlineinspire.gov.in until 7 December 2026.
What happens if a student fails or gets low marks in the first year?
If a student fails in the first year or scores less than 60% marks or below 7 CGPA, they will become ineligible for the entire scheme and will not get the scholarship further.
What is the age limit and passing year required to apply?
Applicants must be between 17 and 22 years of age and must have passed their Class 12 examination in the year 2025.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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