KVPY Exam 2026: Discontinued Since 2022 — Apply for INSPIRE-SHE Instead
Is there a KVPY exam in 2026? No — KVPY ended in 2022 and merged into INSPIRE. How INSPIRE-SHE works: ₹80,000 a year, eligibility and how to apply.
There is no KVPY exam in 2026. KVPY was discontinued in 2022 and merged into DST's INSPIRE programme, and the last KVPY aptitude test was the 2021 cycle. If you are a science student after Class 12, the scholarship to aim for now is INSPIRE-SHE: ₹80,000 a year (including a ₹20,000 summer-project grant) for up to five years of BSc, BS or integrated MSc study in the natural and basic sciences. Here is how it works and who can apply.
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: ₹60,000 scholarship + ₹20,000 mentorship grant for a summer research project |
| Total Value | Up to ₹4,00,000 over 5 years |
| Scholarships | About 10,000 new awards a year |
| Duration | Up to 5 years (BSc + MSc or integrated programme), subject to continued performance |
| Age | 17–22 years |
| For | Basic/natural sciences only (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Geology, etc.) |
| Apply At | online-inspire.gov.in |
INSPIRE-SHE Eligibility
| 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: Institutions | Studying at an IISER, NISER or UM-DAE CEBS | Admission letter |
| Channel 4: Scholars and medallists | KVPY, NTSE or JBNSTS scholar, or International Olympiad medallist | Scholarship / medal 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 — DST subsumed KVPY into INSPIRE (announced 18 July 2022) |
| Last exam | The 2021 cycle; no KVPY aptitude test from 2022 onwards |
| Existing fellows | Continue to receive their fellowship as per DST norms |
| What it was | An aptitude test plus interview run by IISc Bangalore, with fellowships for science students |
| What to do now | Apply for INSPIRE-SHE once you join a natural-science degree |
| IISc and IISER admission | No longer through KVPY — IISc BS takes JEE Advanced, NEET and other routes; IISERs admit only through the IISER Aptitude Test |
Build a strong science foundation
Chapter-wise notes and practice quizzes for Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology — for your Class 12 boards, JEE and NEET. Free trial, no card needed.
Start 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: top 1% of your board, JEE Advanced/NEET top 10,000, admission to an IISER/NISER/CEBS, or a KVPY/NTSE/JBNSTS/Olympiad award — and enrolment in a natural-science degree.
- Register on online-inspire.gov.in when the application window opens.
- 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 announced on the portal for your admission year.
- Verification: Your institution verifies your enrolment and DST checks eligibility.
- Disbursement and renewal: the scholarship is paid to your bank account; renewal each year depends on your academic performance under DST's rules.
INSPIRE vs Other Science Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount/Year | Duration | For |
|---|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE-SHE | ₹80,000 | Up to 5 years | BSc/BS/integrated MSc in natural sciences |
| Central Sector Scheme (PM-USP) | ₹12,000 (UG, first three years) | Degree course | Top 20% of Class 12 in your board, family income up to ₹4.5 lakh |
| NTSE | — | — | No new awards since 2021; existing scholars continue |
| CSIR-UGC JRF | ₹37,000/month | First 2 years of PhD (then SRF) | PhD in science after MSc |
Science Career Paths After INSPIRE
| After BSc/MSc | Options | Stipend/Salary (rough) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ₹56,100/month basic at entry + allowances |
Aim for the top 1% of your board
Revision notes, flashcards and chapter-wise quizzes for Class 12 Science and JEE/NEET. Free trial, no card needed.
Start freeINSPIRE details are based on DST's scheme guidelines; amounts and rules can be revised. Apply at online-inspire.gov.in.
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Is there a KVPY exam in 2026?
No. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) announced on 18 July 2022 that KVPY would be subsumed into the INSPIRE programme, and the KVPY aptitude test has not been held since — the last one was the 2021 cycle. Students who were already KVPY fellows continue to receive their fellowship. The scholarship route for science students now is INSPIRE-SHE.
What is the INSPIRE scholarship amount?
INSPIRE-SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) is worth ₹80,000 a year: ₹60,000 as scholarship plus ₹20,000 as a mentorship grant for a summer research project. It runs for up to 5 years of BSc/BS/integrated MSc study in natural and basic sciences, so up to ₹4 lakh in total. DST offers about 10,000 new scholarships a year.
Who is eligible for INSPIRE-SHE?
Students aged 17–22 studying BSc, BS, integrated MSc or MS in natural and basic sciences who are (1) in the top 1% of their Class 12 board, or (2) within the top 10,000 in JEE Advanced or NEET, or (3) studying at an IISER, NISER or UM-DAE CEBS, or (4) KVPY, NTSE or JBNSTS scholars or International Olympiad medallists. Check the current rules on online-inspire.gov.in.
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.