KVPY / INSPIRE Successor Programs — Classes 11–12 (2025–26)
KVPY status: The aptitude test has been discontinued and subsumed under DST‑INSPIRE. For Classes 11–12, the practical pathways are: INSPIRE Internship (Class XI), INSPIRE‑SHE Scholarship (after Class XII) and IISER Aptitude Test – IAT for BS‑MS admissions.
🌐 DST INSPIRE – About
🗂️ INSPIRE Portal (Apply)
🧪 IISER IAT – Official
At a glance:
- INSPIRE Internship (Class XI): 5‑day residential science camps for top 1% in Class X (now in XI, science stream). Selection via state/board cut‑offs; residential format (except metros).
- INSPIRE‑SHE (after Class XII): ₹80,000 per year scholarship; 10,000 awards/year. Key eligibility: Top 1% in Class XII (Board‑wise), or within specified top ranks in JEE/NEET, or KVPY‑selected, etc. Must be pursuing B.Sc./B.S./Int. M.Sc./M.S. in Basic & Natural Sciences.
- IISER IAT: National CBT for admission to IISER BS‑MS/BS; open to Class XII pass with science (recent years). Earlier KVPY channel is closed; IAT is the primary route.
📅 Dates & Windows (2025–26)
- INSPIRE Internship (XI): Camps are proposed by universities/research institutes; schedules are announced locally. Selection uses top 1% Class X cut‑offs for your board.
- INSPIRE‑SHE (after XII): Applications open via INSPIRE portal during the academic session; watch for the annual call and notices on the portal.
- IISER IAT 2025: Conducted on 25 May 2025 (CBT). Future cycles follow the admission calendar on the IISER portal.
🎯 Eligibility — Quick Checks
INSPIRE Internship (Class XI)
- Currently in Class XI, science stream
- Top 1% in Class X Board (state/central) — board‑wise cut‑offs used
- Has not attended an INSPIRE camp earlier
- 5‑day residential camp; organized by universities/colleges/research institutes
INSPIRE‑SHE Scholarship (after Class XII)
- Age 17–22 and enrolled in B.Sc./B.S./Int. M.Sc./M.S. in Basic & Natural Sciences
- Any one of the following (as per DST criteria):
- Aggregate within Top 1% in Class XII Board
- Top ranks in national tests (e.g., JEE/NEET within top 10,000)
- KVPY‑selected students (legacy) pursuing natural sciences
- Admitted to select institutions offering integrated science programs (e.g., IISER/NISER etc.)
IISER IAT (BS‑MS/BS Admissions)
- Passed Class XII (science stream) in 2023/2024/2025 (recent cycle), from a recognized board
- Other program‑specific criteria per IISER admission site
💰 Benefits & Amounts
- INSPIRE‑SHE: ₹80,000 per year — ₹5,000/month (₹60,000/yr) + ₹20,000 annual summer research project grant; renewable up to 5 years subject to performance.
- INSPIRE Internship: Fully supported 5‑day camp (boarding/lodging/mentorship) organized by DST‑supported host institutes.
🧭 How to Apply
INSPIRE‑SHE (online)
- Create an account on the INSPIRE portal.
- Select Scholarship → Apply for SHE; fill personal, academic (Class XII) & college admission details.
- Upload required documents (X/XII marksheets, Aadhaar/PAN, bank, endorsement form, etc.).
- Submit and track status on the dashboard; respond to any deficiency queries.
INSPIRE Internship (XI)
- Watch announcements from nearby universities/research institutes (camp hosts).
- Apply through the host’s call; ensure you meet the top 1% (Class X) criterion for your board.
- On selection, attend the 5‑day residential camp (mentored sessions + hands‑on modules).
🔗 Official Links
- DST INSPIRE overview: dst.gov.in – INSPIRE Scheme
- INSPIRE portal (applications & notices): online‑inspire.gov.in
- INSPIRE‑SHE FAQs (eligibility routes): SHE FAQs (PDF)
- INSPIRE Internship guidelines (Class XI camps): Internship Guidelines (PDF)
- IISER IAT (official): iiseradmission.in
❓ FAQs
- Is KVPY still conducted? No. From 2022, the KVPY aptitude test was discontinued and the fellowship stream merged with DST‑INSPIRE.
- Does INSPIRE require an exam? No competitive exam is conducted by INSPIRE for selection; it uses board merit and defined national‑exam ranks.
- How many INSPIRE‑SHE scholarships are there? About 10,000 per year (₹80,000/yr each) as per the INSPIRE portal.
- What replaces the KVPY admission channel to IISERs? IISERs now use IAT (Aptitude Test) as the primary admission route.
📝 Disclaimer
Always verify active calls, cut‑offs and any policy changes on the official INSPIRE portal and IISER admission website before applying. Figures above are summarized from official sources for the 2025–26 session.