Srinagar: As many as 146 students from Jammu and Kashmir have been selected and awarded scholarships under the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research–Scholarship for Higher Education (INSPIRE-SHE) scheme during 2019-20 to 2024-25, the Centre has informed the Lok Sabha.
The information, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was provided by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh in response to an unstarred question raised by MP Anto Antony in the Lok Sabha on August 12, 2026.
The MP had asked the government about the year-wise and State/UT-wise number of applications received, students selected and scholarships awarded under INSPIRE-SHE since 2019-20, besides whether the annual target of 12,000 scholarships had been achieved.
In reply, Dr Jitendra Singh said the annual target for awarding scholarships under INSPIRE-SHE, covering both Direct Mode and Institution Mode, has been achieved. He said scholarships are awarded strictly to eligible candidates as per the approved provisions and selection criteria.
According to the State/UT-wise data, Jammu and Kashmir received 23 applications and selected 11 students in 2019-20; 53 applications and 11 selections in 2020-21; 48 applications and 24 selections in 2021-22; 81 applications and 37 selections in 2022-23; 15 applications and two selections in 2023-24; and five applications and two selections in 2024-25.
The data shows that the highest number of students from J&K were selected in 2022-23, when 37 students received scholarships, followed by 24 in 2021-22.
The Centre further informed that the government regularly reviews the implementation and outcomes of the INSPIRE-SHE scheme.
Across the country, a total of 1,14,694 students were selected for scholarships under the scheme during 2019-20 to 2024-25, according to the year-wise figures provided in the reply—(KNO)
