Solan: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is putting into action the INSPIRE MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) Scheme as part of its main program, Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE). MANAK is a special effort to draw in talented school students early on to explore science and consider a career in research, while also encouraging an innovative mindset among them. The scheme is aimed at students aged 10-15, studying in classes 6-10. INSPIRE-MANAK strives for ten lakh ideas from over five lakh middle and high schools nationwide each year. Of these, one lakh ideas qualify for the INSPIRE Award, with each winner receiving Rs. 10,000.
In this plan, all schools throughout the country, middle and high alike, can join in. They can nominate five students online every financial year. The online nominations are reviewed based on the students’ ideas, and the chosen ones move on to District, State, and National Level Exhibitions and Competitions. Those participating in the National Level Exhibition & Competition (NLEPC) receive guidance at top educational and technical institutions in the country. The top sixty projects are recognized as national winners annually, with the National Innovation Foundation, an independent DST institution, serving as the resource partner.
Himachal’s State Nodal Officer, Prof. Ranjana Sharma, mentioned that in the year 2023-24, the state received approximately 7000 nominations through the E-MIAS online portal for INSPIRE-MANAK submissions. The National Authority then scrutinized these applications, selecting 437 ideas. These 437 students will each receive Rs. 10,000 to develop a prototype of their submitted idea/project on the E-MIAS portal during 2023-24. They will also participate in the upcoming District Level Exhibition & Project Competition (DLEPC). Ten percent of these students will move on to the State Level Exhibition & Project Competition (SLEPC), with state-level winners progressing to the NLEPC.
