With the aim to attract students towards science by the next few years, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has made announcement about the launching of ‘INSPIRE’ (Innovation In Science Pursuit for Inspired Research), a scholarship programme of the Department of Science & Technology in New Delhi. 

The Innovation of Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) is aimed at discovering talent at an early stage and instructing them in pursuit of research careers to construct human resource pool for fortifying and growing the science and technology system and, research and development base.

At the launch of ‘INSPIRE’ programme, Dr. Singh said, “Recognising the importance of this initiative, the government has made an allocation of Rs 2100 crore for it in the 11th Plan period.”

While expressing worry over talented youth moving to disciplines other than science, PM said, “This trend has long-term implications for our development and for our competitive strength in the global economy.”

“Knowledge and innovation as never before are the keys to competitiveness and wealth creation in the fast evolving global economy,” he added.

The newly announced scholarship programme will work in three different phases including:

-    offering ten lakh young learners an INSPIRE award of Rs 5000 between the age of 10-15 years;
-    organizing a summer camp for around 50,000 young persons with international leaders in science;
-    providing 10,000 scholarships annually for pursuing Bachelor and Masters level education in natural sciences; and guaranteed prospect for research careers.

The Prime Minister said, “The INSPIRE programme is an important initiative that aims to strengthen the roots of the knowledge infrastructure of the economy.”

On the occasion, Dr. Manmohan also emphasized that the Indian Government would take all necessary steps to rejuvenate research in the university segment.