Scholarship for Higher Education [SHE]

Post-Offer Implementation Guidelines for

Scholarship Holders

Component

Under

Innovation in Science pursuit for Inspired Research

(INSPIRE)

This document provides Scholarship for Higher Education Program [SHE] implementation guidelines

under the INSPIRE division of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) reserves the right to review and modify these

guidelines as and when required.

Post-Offer Implementation Guidelines for Scholarship Holders under

INSPIRE-SHE Component

INSPIRE-Scholarship for Higher Education (INSPIRE-SHE) is offered to pursue

undergraduate (UG) studies and continue up to postgraduate (PG) studies, based on Class 12

standard examination results (top 1%) of respective Boards or within eligible rank in chosen

few competitive examinations such as JEE (main), JEE (advanced), NEET (AIPMT), KVPY

and securing admission in science stream (in any of science courses or their combination out

of the 18 identified subjects) in any recognized College or University or Academic Institution

in the country.

INSPIRE-SHE shall be regulated with the following Guidelines:

1. Mode of Intimation to Scholar: All selected candidates shall receive a Provisional Offer

Letter on their INSPIRE web-portal account, informing that they have been selected for the

scholarship. Selected students are required to log into the online portal to download the

offer letter. List of selected and rejected students will also be displayed on the Home page

of INSPIRE website. The selected candidates shall have to upload the required documents

on their INSPIRE web-portal account within the prescribed time limit (i.e. time period

mentioned in provisional offer letter) for further consideration.

2. Confirmation of Scholarship Offer: All offers made initially will be ‘Provisional’. This

shall be confirmed based on the subjects/courses pursued in the B.Sc. / B.Sc.

(Hons)/B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. course and upon submission of the first year B.Sc. / B.Sc.

(Hons)/B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. examination Mark-Sheet by the Scholar. Otherwise,

provisional offer stands invalid and no communication shall be made separately in this

regard.

3. Re-admission or Change of College/ University: During the B.Sc. course, a student can

change his/her subject and/or college/university/academic institutions only during B.Sc. 1

year provided that the subject of study is among the identified 18 subjects.

If the student transfers to another college during B.Sc. which is affiliated to the same

university (to which the original college was affiliated), the same shall be permissible

during B.Sc. tenure for pursuing the identified 18 subjects as mentioned above.

If any other change (except given above) is taken, Scholarship shall not be given and there

shall be no scope for restoration of the Scholarship and no communication shall be made

separately to the scholar.

4. Break/Gap-Year between B.Sc. and M.Sc.: After completion of three years of B.Sc.

program, students may join M.Sc. course (Natural and Basic Sciences only as per list)

anywhere in the country. Scholarship shall be discontinued in case of one-year or more

break or Gap in between B.Sc. and M.Sc. courses.

5. Opening and Submission of Bank Account: Scholars are required to open a new Savings

Bank Account with NO TRANSACTION LIMIT within India at any branch of State

Bank of India (SBI), exclusively in Scholar’s name. Self-attested photocopy of front page

of Bank Passbook and Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment slip, to be uploaded on

INSPIRE web-portal within 6 months from the date of issue of provisional offer letter.

Bank Account (SBI) details shall have to be uploaded within 6 months period from the date

of issue of provisional offer letter. Offer made in provisional offer letter shall stand cancelled

in case the scholar fails to submit the account details within this period. After the due date,

Applicant’s web-portal shall get closed automatically and applicant shall not be able to upload

any documents.

Names of scholars who have not submitted their required documents within above prescribed

time limit shall be notified on the website: www.online-inspire.gov.in as “Cancelled

Scholarship”/ (Non-Responsive Applicants) and no further communication shall be sent

separately to such scholars. All Scholars are also requested to visit their INSPIRE web-portal

regularly at frequent intervals to see notifications on their Bank Account related issues such as:

Invalid Accounts/ No Frills Accounts (Zero balance opening account)/inactive account/

Joint Account/ Dormant Accounts/Minor Accounts/Limited Accounts/Jandhan Accounts

etc. and to take necessary action within one month of such notification.

6. Payment and Continuation of Scholarship: Scholarships for 1

and 2

years are paid

together in the second year of the scholars’ undergraduate course. The Scholarship is paid on

the basis of following:

a) Year-wise requirements:

Year of

Scholarship

Basis of Scholarship

Documents to be submitted

First Year

(i) Class XII Board Marks and (ii) continuation

in second year course at the UG level in the

identified science subject(s)

First Year B.Sc./B.Sc.

(Hons.)/B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int.

M.S. Mark Sheet and

Performance Report

Second Year

Performance in First Year B.Sc. / B.Sc.

(Hons.)/B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. Exam.

Third Year

Performance in Second Year B.Sc. / B.Sc.

(Hons.)/B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. Exam.

Second Year B.Sc./B.Sc.

(Hons.) /B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int.

M.S. Mark Sheet. And

Performance report

Fourth Year

Performance in Third year B.Sc. / B.Sc.

(Hons.)/B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. exam and

joining M.Sc. course in the identified science

subject(s) at PG level.

(i) Third year B.Sc./B.Sc.

(Hons.) /B.S./Int. M.Sc./Int.

M.S. Mark Sheet and

Performance Report and (ii)

M.Sc. Enrolment Certificate.

Fifth Year

Performance in First year M.Sc. exam or

Fourth year Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. exams (as the

case may be)

First year M.Sc. or fourth year

Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. Mark Sheet

and Performance Report

b) For continuation of INSPIRE Scholarship, the scholar shall (i) pass in all subjects in

first attempt with minimum 60% marks (if result announced in % marks) or (ii) pass in all

subjects in first attempt with minimum 7.0 CGPA on a 10.0 point scale or equivalent (if result

announced in CGPA) in his/her annual examinations (or 2 semesters) in B.Sc. General/B.Sc.

(Hons.)/B.S. /Int. M.Sc. /Int. M.S. or M.Sc. examination every academic year, failing which

the scholarship for the next academic year shall not be released. No conversion from CGPA

to % marks or vice versa shall be permitted.

c) In case of B.Sc. (Hons.) for continuation of INSPIRE Scholarship, the scholar shall (i)

pass in all subjects in first attempt with minimum 60% marks in mains/major (of Hons.)

subjects (if result announced in % marks) or (ii) pass in all subjects in first attempt with

minimum 7.0 CGPA on a 10.0 point scale or equivalent in mains/major (of Hons.) subjects (if

result announced in CGPA) in his/her annual examinations (or 2 semesters) in Hons.

Mains/Major subject in B.Sc. examination every academic year, failing which the

scholarship for the next academic year shall not be released. No conversion from CGPA to

% marks or vice versa shall be permitted.

d) If the scholar has failed or could not attend the annual/ any of the semester

examination(s) in that year, the INSPIRE Scholarship for the next academic year shall not be

paid. However, scholarship shall be released for the next to next academic year, provided the

scholar’s academic performance in next academic year is within the aforesaid eligibility norm

mentioned at 5b and 5c.

e) The maximum tenure of INSPIRE Scholarship is five years or M.Sc. completion

whichever is earlier. Except Integrated M.Sc. or Integrated M.S. course, the scholarship shall

continue at PG level only after successful completion of 3 years B.Sc. or 4 years B.S. course,

for another two years or one year, depending upon the course pursued at the UG level. The

Scholars need to maintain their academic performance as per clause 5b, 5c and pursue only the

identified subject(s) at the M.Sc. level. If it is otherwise, the continuation of scholarship at the

PG level shall stand cancelled automatically and no representations shall be entertained in this

regard.

7. Submission of Performance Reports and Mark Sheets:

a) Except for the very 1

year, scholarship for any academic year shall be paid to the

scholar only after the evaluation/approval of (i) Performance Report and (ii) Mark Sheet

(annual basis or two semesters in one academic year) of B.Sc. /B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.S./Int.

M.Sc./Int. M.S. or M.Sc. course for previous academic year.

b) The Scholar shall submit above referred documents together and not in part mode(s).

Scholarship shall not be processed in case any one of the aforementioned documents are not

submitted.

c) Scholars are advised to submit their yearly Mark-sheets and Performance Report on-

time, preferably within two (2) months of announcement of yearly result to facilitate the

payment of scholarship by DST-INSPIRE. However, keeping in view the diverse time

schedules (late session) of the examinations in Universities across the country, scholars are

permitted for a maximum period of twelve (12) months to submit their Performance Report

and Mark Sheets for a given completed academic year ending June every year. For example,

a 2014 batch enrolled student is expected to submit the First Year Performance Report and

First Year Mark Sheet before 30th June 2016. This analogy can be followed by other batches

for the release of the INSPIRE Scholarship. After the expiry of maximum time period of 12

months, no document shall be considered. No representations in this regard shall be entertained.

d) If a scholar does not submit his/her annual Performance Report and Mark Sheet for two

consecutive academic years, the offer of scholarship shall be withdrawn.

e) Provisional Mark Sheet shall not be considered.

f) In case of non-availability of original mark Sheet, internet copy of mark sheet duly

attested by Controller of Examination or Registrar of college/university shall have to be

uploaded on the portal.

8. Mentorship Grant for Scholars:

The main objective of INSPIRE/SHE program is to encourage young students to pursue

Research as a career. In order to inculcate scientific values and develop scientific temper, the

scholars are required to enrol in a Research Project every year. To avail the mentorship grant,

the scholars are expected to do project work under a Research Supervisor (Mentor) during

summer vacation period, in any recognized Universities or Institutes or Research Laboratories/

Centres of their choice outside their parent institutions either in India or abroad. Project Report

of this research and Project Completion Certificate shall have to be uploaded on INSPIRE

Web-Portal in the prescribed format (also attached herewith).

(a) For students doing a Project in India:

The DST-INSPIRE shall make provision of Rs 20,000/- per annum as Mentorship Grant to

each INSPIRE Scholar to carry summer research internship project every year. The minimum

tenure of the project must be 6-8 weeks. The duration of the project must be clearly mentioned

in the project report.

The Mentorship Grant shall be released directly to the Scholar for carrying out the research

work. After completion of the project work at the Institute or University or Research

Laboratory under a Research Supervisor (Mentor), the candidate should submit the following

documents to the DST for the release of the Mentorship Grant:

(i) Project Completion Certificate (in the prescribed format only)

(ii) Research Project Report (in the prescribed format only)

The mentorship grant shall be provided on per academic year basis. It cannot be carried forward

to next academic year if not availed in current academic year.

(b) For students doing a Project abroad:

Students at 4

or 5

year of the Scholarship may be allowed to carry our research

project in any Institute/ University/ Laboratory abroad by utilizing the Mentorship Grant

available for five years on pro-rata basis (unutilized/unclaimed mentorship grant available

within maximum capping of Rs.1.0 lakh during five years period) . If the sponsoring institute

pays any stipend or travel grant, only the difference between the support received from all

sources put together and actual expenditure will be released from the Mentorship Grant. The

DST-INSPIRE shall make provision of Rs 20,000/- per annum or (Rs 1,00,000/- in 5 years) as

Mentorship Grant to INSPIRE Scholar to carry summer research internship project work

abroad. The Mentorship Grant shall be released directly to the Scholar to carry out research

work, in case a scholar does not utilize this grant in any year during the tenure of INSPIRE

scholarship period, it can be carried forward until the completion of the tenure of INSPIRE

Scholarship.

After completion of the project work at the Institute or University or Research Laboratory

under a Research Supervisor (Mentor), the candidate should submit the following documents

to the DST for release of the Mentorship Grant:

(i) Project Completion Certificate (in the prescribed format only)

(ii) Research Project Report (in the prescribed format only)

(iii) Travel Bill (Air Fare Tickets, Boarding Pass).

For timely release of your Mentorship grant, please upload your Project Completion

Certificate and Project Report on INSPIRE Web-Portal (format available on applicant’s

web portal www.online-inspire.gov.in only. Please do not send the hard copies of these by

post to INSPIRE Programme Division.

Project done in a group shall not be considered for Mentorship Grant.

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