INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: ‘Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research’ (INSPIRE) scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, whereas the term MANAK stands for ‘Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge.’ INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK is a groundbreaking initiative of DST and its autonomous body National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF).
The INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK initiative is aimed at fostering scientific temper and innovation among young students. The program recognizes and rewards creative and innovative ideas received from the students across the country, providing them with a platform to showcase their potential and inspire others.
The MANAK program is a two-tiered competition that begins at the district level. The students from Class enrolled in 6 to 10 are eligible to submit their innovative ideas, which are evaluated by a panel of experts. The top 10 projects from each district are selected to participate in the state-level competition. The top 10 projects from each state qualify to compete at the national level.
The national-level competition is a rigorous process where students present their projects to a distinguished jury comprising of scientists, researchers, and industry experts. The winners of the competition are awarded cash prizes and certificates. Moreover, they are allowed to participate in a 10-day science and innovation camp at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.), Bengaluru, where they interact with renowned scientists and researchers.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK scheme, covering its objectives, eligibility criteria, application and selection process, benefits, and other essential details useful for students, educators, and parents.
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: An Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Name of the Scheme | INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) |
| Provider | Department of Science and Technology (DST), GoI |
| Eligible Students | Class 6 to 10 students enrolled in government-recognised schools |
| Eligible Schools | All government and private schools recognised by State or Central Boards are eligible to participate |
| Awards & Benefits | – ₹10,000 each for selected student for developing prototypes
– Certificate of recognition
– Opportunity to showcase projects at the National Level Exhibition & Project Competition (NLEPC) |
| Focus Areas for Innovation | Agriculture, Healthcare, Energy, Waste Management, Education, and more |
| Mentorship & Support | Mentorship by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) for selected projects |
| Portal | https://inspireawards-dst.gov.in/ |
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: Objectives
The primary objectives of the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK program are as under:
- Nurturing Innovation: Encouraging students from an early age to think critically, generate innovative ideas, and solve real-world problems through science and technology.
- Promoting Inclusivity: Ensuring that students from rural and urban areas alike have the opportunity to showcase their creative potential, thus fostering an inclusive culture of innovation.
- Bridging Education with Societal Needs: Linking school education with societal challenges, thereby encouraging students to develop solutions that benefit the community and the nation.
- Boosting National Development: Channeling young minds towards nation-building by enabling students to develop ideas that contribute to India’s growth and development in science, technology, and innovation.
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: Eligibility Criteria
The students and schools must meet the following eligibility criteria to participate in the INSPIRE Awards – MANAK program.
Eligibility Criteria for Students:
- The students enrolled in Class 6 to 10 are eligible to participate in the scheme.
- The applicants must be a citizen of India enrolled in recognised schools.
Eligibility Criteria for Schools:
- All government and private schools, recognised by the State or Central Boards, are eligible to participate.
- The schools willing to participate must register on the E-MIAS portal, an online management system developed for the scheme.
Project/Idea Requirements:
- The ideas submitted should be innovative and focussed potentially towards solving societal problems.
- The focus should be on creativity and originality, ensuring that the solution or prototype is feasible.
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: Selection and Benefits
- 1,00,000 awards are presented to deserving students every year and 1,000 prototype models or projects receive the opportunity to participate at the National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- The designated jury for NLEPC selects the top 60 most promising models or projects for national awards and future development. These top 60 national winners receive recognition and are invited to participate in the Festival of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
- The projects with commercialisation potential receive further support, while those with patenting possibilities gain assistance from NIF/TIFAC. Additionally, the DST selects outstanding students for participation in the Sakura Exchange Program with Japan every year.
- The INSPIRE Awards program disburses ₹10,000 directly into the bank accounts of successful applicants through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Additionally, it offers mentoring and funding support for prototype development to 1,000 students shortlisted at the State Level Exhibition and Project Competition (SLEPC) for participation in the NLEPC.
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: How to Apply?
The application process for the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK is streamlined and involves the following steps:
Step 1: Registration on the E-MIAS Portal
The schools must first register on the E-MIAS portal by providing the necessary details, including school identification numbers, contact information, and the details of the designated teachers responsible for coordinating the program.
1. Visit the official website of the INSPIRE Awards-MANAK portal.
2. Navigate to the ‘School Authority’ in the drop-down menu under ‘Authorised Login’ and click on it.
3. Navigate to the ‘For New Registration – Click Here’ available at the bottom of the page and click on it.
4. Now, enter ‘Enter 11 Digit School U-DISE Code/School Code’ and click on the submit button.
5. Fill in the mandatory fields which include the following: State/UT, Categorizing Schools, School Board, Revenue District, Revenue Sub-district (Tehsil/Taluka/Block etc.), Education District, Name of the School, Complete Postal Address, PIN Code, Official Phone of School (if any), FAX number (if any), Email Address and Mobile Number of the Authorised Officer of School, Web Address (if any), School Code, if any (as allotted by district/state education authorities).
| Important Note: Before filling in the details for registration, the school must have a valid email Id. It’s advisable to use the school’s official email address, which can remain active even if the school administration changes. |
Step 2: Submission of Ideas
After registration, students can submit their innovative ideas through their respective schools. The ideas must be original, and the submission must include a brief description explaining the problem the project addresses, its proposed solution, and its feasibility.
- The applicants are encouraged to think of ideas that can improve lives in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, waste management, and education.
- The schools are responsible for shortlisting the most promising ideas before submitting them to the District-Level Committee for further evaluation.
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: Required Documents
The documents required for registration for the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK are as follows
Mandatory Documents:
- 11-Digit School U-DISE Code/School Code
- Scanned Photograph of Student (JPG/JPEG/PNG/GIF/BMP, 2 MB)
- Idea/Innovation Synopsis Document (PDF/JPG/JPEG/Word, 2 MB)
- Brief write-up on the Idea/Innovation in English only (not exceeding 300 words)
- Details of the Aadhaar-linked Bank Account of the Nominated Student
Optional Documents:
- Images of Idea/Innovation
- Idea/Innovation Video/Audio
- Brief Description of Objective Criteria for Selection (100 words)
(Note: Utilisation Certificates (UCs) or Statements of Expenditure (SEs) must be sent to DST promptly after the District Level Exhibition and Project Competition (DLEPC) or State Level Exhibition and Project Competition (SLEPC) to facilitate the timely release of funds for future activities. UCs should adhere to the GFR 2017 format.)
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: Selection Process
The selection process for the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK is designed to identify and nurture the most innovative ideas at different levels. The process involves evaluations at the district, state, and national level.
District-Level Selection
- The first stage of evaluation occurs at the district level, where the District-Level Screening Committee (DLSC) reviews the submissions from all participating schools.
- 10,000 to 20,000 ideas are shortlisted based on their creativity, potential societal impact, and feasibility.
State-Level Selection
- Shortlisted ideas from the district level move on to the State Level, where the State-Level Screening Committee (SLSC) further evaluates the projects.
- Around 1,000 to 1,500 ideas are selected for the next stage.
National-Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC)
- The National-Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) is the final stage where top 60 to 70 projects are showcased.
- The selected projects may be eligible for mentorship and support from the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) to help develop their ideas into prototypes.
Also Read: INSPIRE Scholarship Program – Eligibility, Online Application & Selection Process
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: Disbursal
The successful applicants can easily check the status of the transfer of awards under the INSPIRE Awards – MANAK by adhering to the following steps:
Step 1: Click on the following link: https://pfms.nic.in/static/NewLayoutCommonContent.aspx?RequestPagename=static/KnowYourPayment_new.aspx
Step 2: Enter the required details and click on the ‘Send OTP on the Registered Mobile No.’ button.
Step 3: Fill in the One-Time Registration (OTP) and the awardee will be able to navigate the status of their award money under the scheme.
Important Points to Remember!
Incorrect Student Name:
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INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: Contact Details
In case of any query or problem, the applicants may reach out through post, email, or call using the contact details provided below.
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK
Department of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110016
Email ID: inspire@nifindia.org | Telephone Number: (+9111) 2690500, 26590642,
Website: www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in
Also Read: SHRESHTA Education Programme 2024-25: Empowering SC Students with Quality Education
INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK: FAQs
What is INSPIRE AWARDS-MANAK?
The INSPIRE Awards – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) is a scheme that is being implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF). It is aligned with the action plan for “Start-up India” initiative launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The scheme aims to help build a critical human resource pool for strengthening, expanding science and technology systems. Students enrolled in Class 6 to 10 in all government and private schools throughout the country are eligible to share their original & creative technological ideas/innovations.
Who can participate in the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK?
Answer – The Indian students enrolled in Class 6 to 10 from all recognised schools, government or private, aided or unaided, from any National or State Education Board, can submit their original and innovative ideas in any one of the 22 languages from the 8th schedule of constitution to their school.
How are the ideas selected under INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK scheme?
The INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK scheme identifies and reward innovative student ideas through a series of evaluations:
- School Nominations: Schools nominate students with creative ideas.
- District Screening: District Level Screening Committee assesses the nominated ideas.
- State-Level Selection: State Level Screening Committee chooses the most promising ideas.
- National Evaluation: National Level Committee selects the top ideas.
- Mentorship and Prototyping: Selected students receive guidance and develop prototypes.
- National Recognition: Top 60 innovations are recognised and showcased.
What kind of ideas are encouraged under the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK scheme?
The INSPIRE Awards – MANAK scheme encourages students to propose innovative solutions towards real-world challenges. These ideas can address problems in healthcare, agriculture, environment, energy, water, education, disaster management, and more. The goal is to foster original, practical, and sustainable ideas that can make a positive impact. Students should think critically, apply scientific principles, and develop low-cost solutions for their communities or society.
What kind of support do students receive under the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK program?
The INSPIRE Awards – MANAK program offers comprehensive support to help students turn their innovative ideas into practical solutions. Selected students receive financial incentives of ₹10,000 to develop their ideas. Expert mentors from the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) and other scientific bodies provide guidance to students to refine and enhance the scope of their projects. Additionally, students have the opportunity to showcase their innovations at various exhibitions and receive national recognition. Promising ideas receive further support for research, development, and patenting. Moreover, students can network with scientists, industry leaders, and experts to gain valuable insights and encourage future collaborations.
How do schools register for the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK program?
The INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK program offers a user-friendly online portal (E-MIAS) for schools to participate where, they can register by visiting www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in and providing basic information like name, address, and UDISE code. Only recognised government, government-aided, and private schools are eligible. Once registered, schools can nominate 2-3 students with innovative ideas from grades 6-10 each year. The portal allows easy submission of these ideas, ensuring they are original and address social or environmental challenges. The schools should pay close attention to submission guidelines and deadlines set by DST and NIF. Following these steps allows schools to nominate students and track their progress in the competition.
What happens if there are changes in school authorities during the application process?
The scheme allows for flexibility, enabling the use of the school’s email ID even if there are structural changes. If the school’s email ID changes during the application process, schools can update their information on the portal to ensure smooth communication.
What are the key considerations for students while submitting their project details?
When submitting your project details for the INSPIRE Awards – MANAK, it’s crucial to provide a clear and concise project title that accurately reflects the focus of your work. Additionally, a comprehensive summary should outline the project’s purpose, the problem it addresses, and its potential benefits. This will help evaluators understand the significance of your project and assess its merit effectively.
How is the selection process designed to promote originality and creativity?
The INSPIRE Awards – MANAK scheme encourages creative thinking by evaluating ideas based on their originality, novelty, and potential to address social needs.