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Innovation In Science Pursuit For Inspired Research (INSPIRE) – Fellowship

INSPIRE-F

Published: Oct 2026

3 min read

Reviewed by Navin, Editor · First published: 5 Oct 2026

Innovation In Science Pursuit For Inspired Research (INSPIRE) – Fellowship
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Written by Navin · Editor, tsmpb.inUpdated: 17 Oct 2026 · How we verify scheme facts

About this education scheme

The INSPIRE Fellowship supports students pursuing a Ph.D. in science and technology. It offers financial assistance for up to five years. Applications are accepted online, and there is no last date for submission.

The INSPIRE Fellowship is a program by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Its goal is to encourage students to pursue a doctoral degree in various fields of science and technology.

This fellowship is designed for individuals who have completed a master’s degree in science or engineering, or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in medicine.

The program provides financial support, making it easier for talented students to focus on their research without financial worries.

By strengthening the research community in India, the INSPIRE Fellowship contributes to the country’s scientific and technological advancements.

Benefits at a glance

Scheme nameInnovation In Science Pursuit For Inspired Research (INSPIRE) – Fellowship (INSPIRE-F)
Launched byMinistry Of Science And Technology
DepartmentDepartment Of Science & Technology
BenefitThe INSPIRE Fellowship supports students pursuing a Ph.D.
Benefit typeCash (money paid to your bank account)
CategoryEducation
Level / StateCentral · All India
Official portalonline-inspire.gov.in (link at the end of this page)

Key facts

Scheme typeCentral Sector Scheme
Scheme forIndividual
Application modeOnline
Last dateOngoing (no last date notified)
Age14 to 80 years

Who can apply (quick check)

  • 👤All genders
  • 🎂Age 14 to 80 years
  • 📝Online

Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.

हिंदी में जानकारी

इंस्पायर फैलोशिप विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी में पीएचडी करने वाले छात्रों का समर्थन करती है। यह पांच साल तक वित्तीय सहायता प्रदान करती है। आवेदन ऑनलाइन स्वीकार किए जाते हैं, और सबमिशन की कोई अंतिम तिथि नहीं है।

The INSPIRE Fellowship supports students pursuing a Ph.D.

What you receive

The INSPIRE Fellowship supports students pursuing a Ph.D.
  • Duration: Up to five years
  • Contingency grant: Rs. 20,000 per annum

The fellowship amount is paid through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) to the host institute's bank account. The institute will then transfer the monthly fellowship to the students' accounts as per their norms.

Who qualifies

  • Applicant must be aged between 14 and 80 years.
  • Must have a master's degree in science/engineering or a bachelor's/master's degree in medicine.
  • Must be a first rank holder in a recognized university or institution.
  • Must be pursuing a full-time Ph.D. program.

Who is not eligible

  • Students from autonomous colleges.
  • Students who obtained degrees through distance education.
  • Students who are first rank holders in any specialization at M.Sc. 2nd year/last year.
  • Students availing multiple fellowships concurrently.

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Registration walkthrough

  1. Visit the INSPIRE web portal.
  2. Log in using your registered email ID and password.
  3. Click on the 'Fellowship' link.
  4. Fill in the required fields and check the declaration box.
  5. Click 'Submit' to complete your application.
How to check status and payment

To check your application status, log in to the INSPIRE web portal using your reference number. You will receive notifications about your application status via email.

Real-life examples: are you eligible?

A quick way to gauge your eligibility: find the profile nearest to yours.

Raj is 25 years old, has a master's degree in science, and is a first rank holder. He is eligible for the INSPIRE Fellowship.
Neha is 22 years old and has a bachelor's degree in medicine. She is also eligible as she meets all criteria.
Amit is 19 years old and has a diploma, not a degree. He is not eligible because he does not meet the educational qualification requirement.

Every case differs. Confirm your eligibility on the official portal before applying.

Common mistakes: why applications get rejected
  • Not providing the first rank certificate in the required format.
  • Submitting incomplete documents.
  • Incorrectly filling out personal information.
  • Missing the declaration checkbox.
  • Not adhering to the eligibility criteria.

Frequently asked questions

What is the INSPIRE Fellowship?

It is a program to encourage students to pursue Ph.D. in science and technology.

When can I apply for the fellowship?

Applications are accepted during the 3rd and 4th quarters of each financial year.

How long does the fellowship last?

It lasts for a maximum of five years.

What happens if I have another fellowship?

You must resign from the other fellowship before accepting the INSPIRE Fellowship.

How will I receive the fellowship amount?

The amount is paid through the host institute, which transfers it to your bank account.

Can I change my host institution?

Yes, but you need prior approval from DST.

What if I do not meet the eligibility criteria?

You will not be considered for the fellowship.

How can I check my application status?

Log in to the INSPIRE portal with your reference number.

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First draft prepared with editorial AI tools; every fact verified against the official notification and rewritten by our team.

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