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Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) 2026: Status and INSPIRE-SHE

 

Table of Content


General Information

Program

Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

Current Status

The KVPY examination has been discontinued and the KVPY program has been subsumed into INSPIRE-SHE.

Current Scholarship Program

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research - Scholarship for Higher Education (INSPIRE-SHE)

Conducted/Managed By

Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India

Objective

KVPY

The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) was a scholarship program designed to encourage students with an aptitude for scientific research and motivate them to pursue careers in science. The KVPY examination is no longer conducted. The Department of Science & Technology has subsumed KVPY into the INSPIRE-SHE component of the INSPIRE scheme.

For students looking for science scholarship opportunities in 2026, INSPIRE-SHE is the relevant current program to explore. INSPIRE-SHE aims to attract talented students towards higher education in basic and natural sciences and encourage them to pursue research careers.

Benefits of KVPY and INSPIRE-SHE

  • KVPY was historically designed to identify students with an aptitude for scientific research and support their progression towards research careers.

  • KVPY is no longer conducting a separate aptitude examination. Its fellowship component has been subsumed into INSPIRE-SHE.

  • INSPIRE-SHE provides financial support to eligible students pursuing higher education in Basic and Natural Sciences.

  • According to the current INSPIRE-SHE information, the scholarship is valued at Rs. 80,000 per year, including a scholarship component of Rs. 60,000 and a mentorship component of Rs. 20,000.

  • INSPIRE-SHE scholars are required to undertake summer research projects under an active researcher at a recognized research centre in India.

The current INSPIRE-SHE scholarship structure is given below.

INSPIRE-SHE Component

Annual Scholarship

Mentorship Grant

INSPIRE-SHE for eligible students pursuing B.Sc./B.S./B.Sc. with Research/Int. M.Sc./Int. M.S. in Basic and Natural Sciences

Rs. 60,000

Rs. 20,000

Total annual value of INSPIRE-SHE support

Rs. 80,000

Includes mentorship support

INSPIRE-SHE Eligibility Criteria 2026

The KVPY examination is not conducted in 2026. Students seeking the current science scholarship route should check the official INSPIRE-SHE eligibility requirements instead.

According to the current INSPIRE-SHE information, eligible applicants can include meritorious students who secure aggregate marks within the top 1% of their Class XII examination of a State or Central Education Board in India and pursue eligible Basic and Natural Science courses such as B.Sc., B.S., B.Sc. with Research, Int. M.Sc. or Int. M.S.

Other eligibility routes are also specified by INSPIRE, including certain students with qualifying ranks in national-level examinations and students admitted to specified integrated science programs at institutions such as IISERs and NISER. Applicants must satisfy the applicable INSPIRE-SHE conditions for the relevant year.

Click here to know more about eligibility and current science scholarship opportunities.

INSPIRE-SHE Selection Process 2026

  • Unlike the former KVPY program, INSPIRE does not conduct a competitive examination for identifying talent.

  • INSPIRE-SHE selection is based on the eligibility routes and documents specified by the Department of Science & Technology.

  • Students should verify the applicable eligibility criteria, qualifying examination requirements, course requirements and application instructions on the official INSPIRE portal before applying.

  • The current INSPIRE-SHE process is online, and applications are submitted through the official INSPIRE portal when the application window is announced.

KVPY Exam Pattern: Historical Information

The KVPY aptitude test is a historical examination pattern and should not be treated as the exam pattern for 2026. KVPY is no longer conducted as a separate competitive examination.

Older KVPY preparation resources may still be useful for students who want to practise conceptual questions in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology, but they do not represent a current KVPY 2026 examination.

Historical KVPY Stream

Status in 2026

Current Relevance

Stream SA

Discontinued

Historical KVPY information only

Stream SB

Discontinued

Historical KVPY information only

Stream SX

Discontinued

Historical KVPY information only

INSPIRE-SHE Important Dates 2026

There is no KVPY examination date, application deadline or KVPY aptitude test schedule for 2026 because the KVPY examination has been discontinued.

For INSPIRE-SHE, students should refer to the official INSPIRE portal for the application window, announcements, eligibility notices and other dates applicable to the relevant batch.

Events

2026 Status

KVPY Application Begins

Not applicable - KVPY discontinued

KVPY Application Closes

Not applicable - KVPY discontinued

KVPY Exam Date 2026

No KVPY examination in 2026

INSPIRE-SHE Application Process

The current scholarship application process is handled through the official INSPIRE portal. Students should register online, provide the required personal and academic details and upload the documents specified in the current application guidelines.

The official INSPIRE instructions require applicants to provide information such as their name, date of birth and valid email address during registration. Supporting documents, including the relevant Class XII mark sheet and proof of date of birth, may be required as specified in the applicable guidelines.

INSPIRE-SHE Study Material 2026

INSPIRE-SHE does not have a KVPY-style aptitude test syllabus because there is no separate KVPY examination. Students preparing for eligible Basic and Natural Science courses should focus on their Class XII academic syllabus and the requirements of their chosen undergraduate or integrated science program.

Students should use reliable textbooks, lecture notes, laboratory resources and standard reference books for the relevant Basic and Natural Science subjects.

For current INSPIRE-SHE eligibility, application instructions and scholarship information, students should refer to the official INSPIRE portal.

KVPY Sample Papers: Historical Resources

Previous KVPY sample papers can be used as historical practice material for developing conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills in science subjects. However, these papers should not be considered representative of a KVPY 2026 examination because no KVPY aptitude test is being conducted in 2026.

Click here to access historical KVPY sample papers and practice resources. 

Books for Basic and Natural Sciences

Since KVPY is no longer conducted, students do not need to prepare for a KVPY-specific examination. Students pursuing Basic and Natural Sciences should instead build a strong conceptual foundation using their prescribed textbooks and suitable reference books.

Subject

Recommended Approach

Physics

Use NCERT and standard Physics textbooks to strengthen concepts, numerical problem-solving and analytical skills.

Mathematics

Build a strong foundation in algebra, geometry, calculus and other topics relevant to the student's current science course.

Chemistry

Study fundamental concepts from Physical, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry using prescribed and standard reference books.

Biology

Use NCERT and appropriate undergraduate-level resources to develop a clear understanding of biological concepts and scientific terminology.

KVPY Interview: Historical Information

The KVPY interview was historically used as part of the selection process for shortlisted candidates. It should not be treated as a current KVPY 2026 requirement because the KVPY examination and its former selection process have been discontinued.

Students interested in science research should nevertheless continue developing the skills that were valuable in the former KVPY process.

  • Understand concepts: Develop a strong conceptual foundation instead of relying only on memorisation.

  • Develop scientific curiosity: Read about scientific discoveries, experiments and developments related to your areas of interest.

  • Improve problem-solving: Practise applying scientific concepts to unfamiliar situations and real-world problems.

  • Communicate clearly: Learn to explain your reasoning, observations and scientific ideas in a clear and logical manner.

  • Stay updated: Follow reliable sources for information about INSPIRE-SHE and other current science scholarship opportunities.

  • Remember that KVPY is no longer conducted: Students should not rely on old KVPY application, examination or interview schedules when planning their 2026 academic pathway.

Students interested in science research can explore current opportunities such as INSPIRE-SHE and other recognized scholarship and science-talent programs applicable to their academic profile.

KVPY Results: Historical Information

KVPY results are historical because the KVPY examination has been discontinued. There is no KVPY 2026 aptitude test result or new KVPY 2026 merit list.

Students seeking current scholarship opportunities should check the official INSPIRE-SHE portal for application announcements, selection information and other updates applicable to the relevant batch.

Click Here for the official INSPIRE portal

Click here to learn more about current science scholarship and research opportunities through science preparation resources