EDUCATION & RESEARCH REVIEW
India Boosts STEM Talent Through Three Major National Science Programmes
Government expands INSPIRE MANAK, INSPIRE‑SHE, and Vigyan Jyoti to nurture young innovators from Class 6 to college level, with special focus on girls in STEM
INDIA'S STEM REVOLUTION
Nurturing Young Scientists Through National Initiatives
Conceptual visualization: India's investment in STEM education aims to create a new generation of innovators and researchers. (Source: Ministry of Education)
NEW DELHI - In a strategic move to bolster India's scientific workforce, the Government has announced a significant expansion of three flagship programmes—INSPIRE MANAK, INSPIRE‑SHE, and Vigyan Jyoti—aimed at identifying and nurturing young scientific talent from school to college levels. This initiative particularly focuses on increasing female participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, addressing the persistent gender gap in these critical sectors.
The enhanced programmes, backed by an increased budgetary allocation of ₹1,250 crores for FY 2025-26, will provide structured pathways for students from Class 6 through undergraduate studies. "We are building a pipeline of scientific talent that will drive India's technological self-reliance," stated Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science & Technology, during the announcement ceremony last week.
🎯 Key Expansion Highlights
Budget Increase: 40% higher allocation for STEM initiatives
Target Reach: 5 million students across 50,000+ schools
Girls' Participation Goal: 50% representation in all programmes
New Components: AI/ML modules, research internships, innovation grants
The Three Pillars of India's STEM Strategy
These expanded programmes form a comprehensive ecosystem supporting young scientists at different educational stages:
INSPIRE MANAK
(Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge)
Target Group: Students of Classes 6-10
Key Features:
- ₹10,000 idea innovation fund per selected student
- National level exhibition and competition
- Mentorship by scientists and innovators
- Expanded to include rural innovation themes
INSPIRE-SHE
(Scholarship for Higher Education)
Target Group: Girl students in senior secondary & college
Key Features:
- ₹80,000 annual scholarship for undergraduate studies
- Summer/winter internships at premier institutes
- Career counseling and mentorship programme
- Special research exposure opportunities
Vigyan Jyoti
(Science Spark)
Target Group: Class 9-12 girls from underrepresented regions
Key Features:
- 100 new Vigyan Jyoti schools in aspirational districts
- Special curriculum with advanced science modules
- Interaction with women scientists role models
- Career guidance for pursuing STEM higher education
📚 Important Notes for STEM Aspirants
- Early Preparation: Start building your STEM profile from Class 8-9 through participation in science fairs and Olympiads.
- Documentation: Maintain a portfolio of your projects, ideas, and achievements for scholarship applications.
- Application Timeline: INSPIRE MANAK applications typically open in May-June; Vigyan Jyoti selections happen in April.
- Focus Areas: Current priority areas include AI, Biotechnology, Renewable Energy, and Space Technology.
- Girls' Quota: 50% seats reserved in all programmes with additional mentoring support for female candidates.
- Rural Innovation: Special consideration given to innovations addressing local community challenges.
- Continuous Learning: Utilize free online resources from SWAYAM and NPTEL to supplement school curriculum.
- Networking: Participate in national science events to connect with mentors and like-minded peers.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for STEM Programme Aspirants
To help aspirants prepare for selection tests and interviews, here are important questions from previous years across different STEM programmes:
| Programme | Question Topic | Year | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| INSPIRE MANAK | Design a low-cost water purification system using locally available materials | 2023 | Medium |
| Vigyan Jyoti | Explain how AI can help in early detection of crop diseases | 2024 | Medium |
| INSPIRE-SHE | Describe a research idea to reduce plastic waste in oceans | 2022 | High |
| INSPIRE MANAK | Create a working model of a renewable energy source for rural areas | 2023 | High |
| Vigyan Jyoti | How would you explain Newton's laws to a Class 7 student? | 2024 | Low |
| INSPIRE-SHE | Propose a biotechnology solution for sustainable agriculture | 2023 | High |
| INSPIRE MANAK | Design an app that makes science learning fun for children | 2022 | Medium |
| National Level | Explain the significance of Chandrayaan-3 for India's space programme | 2024 | Medium |
Table: Previous Year Questions help understand the pattern and expectation level for STEM programme selections.
Expansion Strategy and Implementation Plan
The enhanced programmes follow a three-year implementation roadmap with specific milestones:
- Phase 1 (2025): Infrastructure development, digital platform launch, and mentor network establishment
- Phase 2 (2026): Scaling to 50,000 schools, establishing 100 Vigyan Jyoti schools in aspirational districts
- Phase 3 (2027): International collaboration, advanced research opportunities for top performers
Special attention is being given to geographical inclusivity with 35% of resources allocated to rural and semi-urban regions. Each programme will have dedicated nodal officers in every state to ensure smooth implementation and grievance redressal.
Ready to Test Your STEM Knowledge?
Take our specially designed mock test to assess your preparation level for national STEM programmes. The test includes questions on scientific concepts, innovation thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Take Mock Test NowDuration: 60 minutes | Questions: 50 | Based on previous year patterns
Impact Assessment and Expected Outcomes
According to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), these expanded programmes are projected to:
- Increase student participation in STEM higher education by 25% over five years
- Improve gender ratio in engineering and pure sciences to 40:60 (female:male) by 2030
- Generate at least 1,000 patent applications from student innovators annually
- Create a repository of 50,000 innovative project ideas addressing local and national challenges
The programmes also align with the National Education Policy 2020's emphasis on experiential learning and critical thinking. "We're moving from rote learning to research-based learning," commented Prof. K. Ramamurthy, Chairperson of the STEM Education Task Force.
This expansion represents India's commitment to building a robust scientific temper among youth, essential for achieving developed nation status by 2047.
