Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) is the science fellowship that the Department of Science and Technology (DST) started in 1999 to support bright students in basic science. It gave monthly scholarships and yearly research grants to talented students from class 11 up to the postgraduate level.
Here is the key update for 2026. The government closed KVPY for new applications in 2022 and merged it into the INSPIRE scheme. Students who want this kind of science support should now apply for the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (INSPIRE-SHE), which gives up to ₹80,000 every year.
KVPY has been closed by the government and it was replaced. New applications are no longer accepted under KVPY, so eligible students should apply under INSPIRE-SHE instead. This article explains what changed and how to apply.
Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana - Status and Overview
KVPY ran separate streams called SA (class 11), SX (class 12) and SB (first year of a graduate science course). Earlier, students had to clear a computer-based aptitude test in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology to get selected. This separate exam and its streams are no longer part of a new selection cycle, because the scheme has been merged into INSPIRE.
Students who were already KVPY fellows keep getting their monthly scholarship and yearly grant for the rest of their course. Only new applicants are now directed to INSPIRE-SHE, which serves the same group of top science students. So the old KVPY help is still there, just under a new name and with a new way of filling the form.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Old Scheme Name | Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) |
| Status | Closed for new applicants since 2022, merged with INSPIRE |
| Running Department | Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
| Replacement Scheme | INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (INSPIRE-SHE) |
| Benefit Amount | Up to ₹80,000 per year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | online-inspire.gov.in |
| Launch Year | 1999 |
INSPIRE-SHE Scholarship Amount
INSPIRE-SHE gives selected students up to ₹80,000 every year while they study a Basic or Natural Science course. The money is paid in two parts. A student gets ₹5,000 every month, which adds up to ₹60,000 in a year. On top of this, there is a ₹20,000 yearly mentorship grant that is used for a summer research project under a recognized mentor.
Around 12,000 scholarships are given every year to meritorious students across India. The support goes on for the whole course, as long as the student keeps up the required marks.
Who Can Apply for INSPIRE-SHE
Eligibility depends on both the marks and the course. The student must be enrolled in a regular Basic or Natural Science course at the B.Sc., B.S., integrated M.Sc. or integrated M.S. level. A student can be selected under any one of these routes:
- Being in the top 1% of the respective State or Central Board results at the class 12 level.
- Getting a top rank in competitive exams like JEE or NEET, for students who want the science stream through that channel.
- Studying at top science institutes like IISERs, NISER and DAE-CBS.
- Being an earlier KVPY fellow, an NTSE qualifier, or an Olympiad medalist.
Courses like engineering, medicine and other professional courses are not covered under this scholarship. So the chosen subject matters a lot when the form is checked.
How to Apply for INSPIRE-SHE Online
The whole application process is digital and happens on the official INSPIRE portal. Follow these steps to fill the form correctly.
STEP 1 - Go to the official INSPIRE portal at online-inspire.gov.in and open the scholarship application section.
STEP 2 - Register or log in using a valid email ID and mobile number. Keep the details correct because updates and the selection list come on this account.
STEP 3 - Fill the application form with your academic details, eligibility category and course information.
STEP 4 - Upload the required documents in the correct format and check the filled details once.
STEP 5 - Submit the form and save the confirmation proof. The selection process usually takes about four months, and selected students get a provisional offer letter on the portal.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready before you start the application, so that the form is not rejected in the middle.
- Class 12 marksheet, which is a required document for every applicant.
- Class 10 certificate, used as proof of date of birth.
- Endorsement certificate signed by the principal or the head of department.
- Bank account details and a signed passbook copy, needed after selection for the payment.
References
INSPIRE-SHE Details on India Science and Technology
FAQ's
Is KVPY still open for new applications in 2026?
No. KVPY has been closed for new applicants since 2022. The government merged it into the INSPIRE scheme, and new students should apply for INSPIRE-SHE.
What should I apply for instead of KVPY?
Apply for the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (INSPIRE-SHE) on the official portal online-inspire.gov.in. It gives up to ₹80,000 a year to top science students.
What happens to students who were already KVPY fellows?
Existing KVPY fellows keep getting their monthly scholarship and yearly grant for the rest of their course. They do not need a fresh application.
Why was KVPY discontinued?
DST decided to merge KVPY into the larger INSPIRE scheme to reduce the burden of multiple entrance exams and bring the same support under one national program.
What is the scholarship amount under INSPIRE-SHE?
Selected students get ₹5,000 per month, which is ₹60,000 in a year, plus a ₹20,000 yearly mentorship grant for a summer research project. This totals ₹80,000 every year.
Which courses are covered under INSPIRE-SHE?
Only regular Basic or Natural Science courses like B.Sc., B.S., integrated M.Sc. and integrated M.S. are covered. Engineering, medicine and professional courses are not included.
How do I know if I am selected?
The selection process usually takes about four months after the last date. Selected students receive a provisional offer letter on the INSPIRE portal itself.