KVPY & INSPIRE Scholarship 2026 — Eligibility, Amount & How to Apply
KVPY and INSPIRE scholarship 2026 — complete guide covering eligibility, monthly stipend, application process, exam pattern, and how these scholarships help.
KVPY and INSPIRE are India's most prestigious science scholarships for students pursuing basic sciences after Class 12. INSPIRE gives ₹80,000/year for 5 years. KVPY (now merged with INSPIRE) offered monthly stipends for research-oriented students. Here is everything you need to know.
INSPIRE Scholarship — Complete Details
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) |
| By | Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India |
| Component | SHE — Scholarship for Higher Education |
| Amount | ₹80,000/year for 5 years |
| Summer Project | ₹20,000 additional funding |
| Total Value | ₹4,00,000 + ₹20,000 = ₹4,20,000 |
| Duration | 5 years (BSc + MSc / integrated programme) |
| For | Basic/natural sciences only (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Geology, etc.) |
| Apply At | online-inspire.gov.in |
INSPIRE Eligibility — Three Channels
| Channel | Criteria | Proof Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Channel 1: Board Toppers | Top 1% in Class 12 board exam (aggregate marks) | Class 12 marksheet showing you are in top 1% |
| Channel 2: Competitive Exam | Top 10,000 in JEE Advanced OR top 10,000 in NEET (pursuing science) | JEE Advanced / NEET rank card |
| Channel 3: Scholarship Holders | KVPY fellow OR NTSE scholar OR International Olympiad medallist | KVPY / NTSE / Olympiad certificate |
Important: You must be enrolled in BSc/BS/integrated MSc in natural sciences at a recognised university. Engineering (B.Tech) students are NOT eligible.
KVPY — Current Status
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued as separate exam (since 2022) |
| Reason | Benefits merged with INSPIRE programme |
| Previous Stipend | ₹5,000-7,000/month during BSc/MSc + annual contingency |
| Previous Exam | Aptitude test + interview by IISc Bangalore |
| Equivalent Now | INSPIRE SHE scholarship (for top performers) |
| For IISc Admission | Now through JEE Advanced / NEET / Board marks (no separate KVPY exam) |
| Check Updates | kvpy.iisc.ac.in (in case of revival) |
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Start Science Practice — FreeWhere Can You Use INSPIRE Scholarship?
| Institution Type | Examples | Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore (BS programme) | 4-year BS in Science | Yes |
| IISERs (7 campuses) | 5-year integrated BS-MS | Yes |
| Central Universities (BSc) | DU, BHU, JNU, etc. | Yes |
| State Universities (BSc) | Any recognised university | Yes |
| NISER / CBS | 5-year integrated MSc | Yes |
| IITs (BS programme only) | If pursuing basic science | Yes (science only) |
| IITs (B.Tech) | Engineering programme | No |
| Private Engineering Colleges | B.Tech programmes | No |
How to Apply for INSPIRE
- Check eligibility: Confirm you are in the top 1% of your board OR have JEE Advanced/NEET top 10K rank OR hold NTSE/Olympiad award.
- Register on online-inspire.gov.in using your Aadhaar and mobile number.
- Fill the application form with Class 12 details, course enrolled in, and institution.
- Upload documents: Class 12 marksheet, college admission letter, bank passbook, Aadhaar, passport photo.
- Submit before the deadline (usually October–December of the admission year).
- Verification: Your institution verifies your enrolment. DST verifies eligibility.
- Disbursement: ₹80,000 credited to your bank account (usually in two instalments).
INSPIRE vs Other Science Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount/Year | Duration | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE SHE | ₹80,000 | 5 years | BSc/integrated MSc in natural sciences |
| NTSE Scholarship | ₹1,250/month (UG) | UG + PG | Any undergraduate course |
| CSIR-UGC JRF | ₹37,000/month | 5 years | PhD in science (after MSc) |
| IISc BS Scholarship | ₹5,000/month | 4 years | BS students at IISc |
| IISER Scholarship | ₹5,000/month | 5 years | BS-MS students at IISERs |
Science Career Paths After INSPIRE
| After BSc/MSc | Options | Stipend/Salary |
|---|---|---|
| PhD (India) | CSIR-UGC NET → JRF at IITs/IISc/TIFR | ₹37,000/month |
| PhD (Abroad) | GRE → US/Europe PhD (fully funded) | $2,000–3,000/month |
| Research Scientist | ISRO, DRDO, BARC, CSIR labs | ₹8–15 LPA |
| Data Science | MSc Stats/Maths → industry | ₹10–25 LPA |
| Teaching | NET/SET → university lecturer | ₹6–12 LPA |
| Civil Services | UPSC with science optional | ₹8–15 LPA (starting) |
Prepare for competitive exams — boost your INSPIRE chances
Chapter-wise practice for Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Biology. Score in the top 1% of your board or top 10K in JEE/NEET.
Start Practice — FreeINSPIRE details based on DST guidelines. KVPY status as of 2025 — check kvpy.iisc.ac.in for any revival announcements. Scholarship amounts may be revised by DST. Apply at online-inspire.gov.in. Last updated: February 2026.
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is KVPY still available in 2026?
KVPY (Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana) was discontinued as a separate exam in 2022. However, the scholarship benefits have been merged with INSPIRE. Students who qualify through INSPIRE now receive similar benefits. If KVPY is revived, IISc Bangalore will announce it on kvpy.iisc.ac.in. Check the official website for the latest status.
What is INSPIRE scholarship amount?
INSPIRE SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education): ₹80,000/year for 5 years during BSc/BS/integrated MSc. Total value: ₹4 lakh over 5 years. Additionally, summer research project funding of ₹20,000 is available. The scholarship is given to top 1% students in Class 12 boards who pursue natural/basic sciences.
Who is eligible for INSPIRE?
Three channels: (1) Top 1% in Class 12 board exams pursuing BSc/BS/MS in natural sciences. (2) Students in top 10,000 ranks of JEE Advanced or NEET (pursuing science). (3) Students with KVPY/NTSE/Olympiad medals. You must be enrolled in a BSc/BS/integrated MSc programme in natural or basic sciences at a recognised institution.
Can engineering students get INSPIRE?
No — INSPIRE SHE is specifically for students pursuing basic/natural sciences (BSc Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, etc.) or integrated MSc programmes. B.Tech/engineering students are NOT eligible. However, students at IISc (BS programme) and IISERs are eligible. If you want scholarships for engineering, check AICTE Pragati, institutional fee waivers, and corporate scholarships.