INSPIRE MANAK Awards Scheme 2026-27: Complete Guidelines, Eligibility, and Online Registration Process

The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has officially opened the online nomination process for the INSPIRE MANAK Awards Scheme 2026-27. This flagship programme aims to foster a culture of creativity and scientific innovation among school students across the country. All eligible schools are instructed to complete registrations and submit student nominations through the E-MIAS Portal before the deadline.

Download Inspire MANAK PDF Guidelines Click Here

1. Overview
2. What is INSPIRE MANAK Awards Scheme?
3. Important Dates
4. Eligibility Criteria
5. Official Instructions for Schools
6. Documents Required
7. How to Register a School (Step-by-Step)
8. How to Create Your Password
9. How to Submit Student Nominations
10. Selection Process & Financial Support
11. Important Links
12. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Overview

Particular	Details
Scheme Name	INSPIRE MANAK Awards Scheme 2026-27
Implemented By	Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India
Executed By	National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF)
Portal	E-MIAS Portal (www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in)
Eligible Students	Classes VI to XII (Age group 10-17 years)
Eligible Schools	Government, Local Body, Aided, and Private Recognized Schools
Maximum Nominations	5 Student Ideas per School (Max. 2 from Classes 11-12 Science stream)
Registration Starts	15 July 2026
Last Date	15 September 2026
Mode	Online

2. What is INSPIRE MANAK Awards Scheme?

INSPIRE stands for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research, a flagship programme of the Department of Science & Technology. The MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) component is specifically designed for school children.

Key Objectives:

To attract young students (Class VI to XII) to study science and pursue research careers.
To promote creative thinking and foster a culture of innovation among school children.
To target one million original ideas/innovations rooted in science and societal applications.
To build a critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding India’s science, technology, and R&D base.

3. Important Dates

Event	Date
Opening of Online Nominations	15 July 2026
Closing of Online Nominations	15 September 2026

4. Eligibility Criteria

For Students:

Students studying in Classes VI to XII are eligible.
The student must be studying in a recognized school.
Students must be between the age group of 10-17 years.

For Schools:

Government Schools are eligible.
Local Body Schools are eligible.
Aided Schools are eligible.
Private Recognized Schools are eligible.
The school must be recognized by the District or State Education authorities.

Nomination Limit:

Every eligible school can submit a maximum of Five (5) innovative ideas/projects.
Within this limit, a maximum of two student ideas from Classes 11 or 12 (Science stream only) can be nominated from one school.

5. Official Instructions for Schools

Based on the official proceedings issued by the Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh, all education officials and schools have been instructed to ensure maximum participation. Here are the key instructions:

5.1 Disseminate Information to Every Eligible School

All education officials must widely publicize the scheme among Government, Local Body, Aided, and Private Recognized Schools having Classes VI to XII.

5.2 Register Every Eligible School

District authorities must ensure that all eligible schools are registered on the E-MIAS Portal. Schools that have not yet completed registration should be assisted immediately.

5.3 Submit Maximum Five Nominations Per School

Schools are specifically instructed to identify innovative students and submit the maximum permissible five nominations per school. Students should be encouraged to submit ideas that can solve practical problems in society.

5.4 Conduct Awareness Meetings and Orientation Programmes

District officials are instructed to organize awareness programmes and orientation meetings for Science Teachers (PS/BS) at the divisional level. Teachers should motivate students to observe real-life problems and develop practical scientific solutions.

5.5 District Science Officers Should Monitor Registrations

District Science Officers (DSOs) should issue comprehensive guidelines and continuously monitor the progress of school registrations and student nominations. They must provide technical support and ensure district targets are achieved.

5.6 Submit Regular Progress Reports

District Educational Officers and District Science Officers must periodically review the registration and nomination status of schools and submit progress reports to the State Nodal Officer, INSPIRE MANAK, SCERT Andhra Pradesh.

5.7 Complete Online Nominations Before the Last Date

All eligible schools are instructed not to wait until the last day to submit nominations. Schools should complete the entire online nomination process well before 15 September 2026 to avoid technical issues, heavy traffic on the portal, or last-minute delays.

6. Documents Required

For School Registration:

Before starting the online registration process, schools should keep the following information ready:

School UDISE Code.
Name of the Headmaster/Principal.
Mobile Number of the Headmaster.
Official School Email ID (Very Important).
Total Student Strength in the School.
Total Number of Teachers.
Number of Science Teachers working in the school.

Note: The official email address entered during registration is extremely important because the User ID, password activation instructions, and future communications from the INSPIRE MANAK portal will be sent to this email address only.

For Student Nomination:

Before adding student nominations, the school should collect the following information from each student:

Recent Passport Size Photograph (in JPG format).
Student Aadhaar Number.
Student Full Name.
Father’s Name.
Date of Birth.
Category Details.
Guide Teacher Name.
Bank Account Details (Student’s own bank account is mandatory).
Innovation Synopsis (PDF/JPEG/Word, maximum 2 MB).

Tip: Keeping all these documents ready before logging into the portal will make the nomination process faster and reduce errors.

7. How to Register a School (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps to register your school on the E-MIAS Portal:

Step 1: Open the official INSPIRE MANAK website: www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in.
Step 2: Click on “School Authority”.
Step 3: Select “One Time Registration” or “For New Registration”.
Step 4: Enter all required school details carefully (UDISE Code, Headmaster name, email, mobile number, etc.).
Step 5: Click Save.
Step 6: Fill in the remaining information requested by the portal.
Step 7: Verify all the entered details.
Step 8: Click Submit / Forward to DA.
Step 9: An Application Number will be generated.
Step 10: Download and print the Acknowledgement Receipt for future reference.

Note: After successful submission, the application will be forwarded to the concerned authorities for approval. Schools should keep the application number safely as it may be required for future communication.

8. How to Create Your Password

After the registration is approved, the school will receive an email from the INSPIRE MANAK portal containing the User ID and a password activation link. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the password activation link received through email.
Step 2: Enter the User ID mentioned in the email.
Step 3: Create a password.
Step 4: Re-enter the same password for confirmation.
Step 5: Enter the security code displayed on the screen.
Step 6: Click Submit.

Your password will be activated successfully. Now login using the User ID and newly created password.

Once logged in successfully, the School Dashboard will open. This dashboard is used for entering student nominations, updating details, and checking the status of submitted applications.

9. How to Submit Student Nominations

Step 1: Login to the E-MIAS Portal using your User ID and Password.
Step 2: On the Dashboard, click on “Add Student”.
Step 3: Enter the student’s personal details (Name, Class, Father’s Name, Date of Birth, Category, Aadhaar Number, etc.).
Step 4: Enter the Idea Title and a detailed description of the innovation (Minimum 150-300 words).
Step 5: Upload the student’s Passport Size Photo and the Innovation Synopsis (PDF/JPEG/Word, max 2 MB).
Step 6: Enter the student’s Bank Account Details (Account Number, IFSC Code).
Step 7: Enter the Guide Teacher’s Name.
Step 8: After all details are entered, verify the information carefully.
Step 9: Click “Forward Application” to submit the nomination to the District Authority.

Important: After forwarding, the application cannot be edited. Ensure all details are correct before submission.

Step 10: Generate and download the Acknowledgment for the nominated students.

10. Selection Process & Financial Support

The selection process for the INSPIRE MANAK Awards follows a multi-level structure:

10.1 School Level Nomination

Schools nominate up to 5 of their best original ideas online.

10.2 Shortlisting

The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) shortlists 1,00,000 (one lakh) ideas with potential to address societal needs through Science & Technology.

10.3 Financial Support for Prototype

Selected students receive Rs. 10,000/- each, directly transferred into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This financial assistance is for preparing a project/model/prototype.

10.4 Exhibition & Competition Ladder

The selected students participate in a three-tier exhibition and project competition:

District Level Exhibition and Project Competition (DLEPC)
State Level Exhibition and Project Competition (SLEPC)
National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC)

10.5 Further Support

The best projects at the national level receive:

Mentoring
Patent facilitation
Incubation support for prototype-to-product development.

11. Important Links

Purpose	Link
Official INSPIRE MANAK Portal	https://inspireawards-dst.gov.in/
New School Registration	Click on “School Authority” -> “New Registration” on the official portal
School Login	Click on “School Authority” -> “Login” on the official portal
Resubmission of OTR	Click on “School Authority” -> “Resubmission of OTR” on the official portal

12. Frequently Asked Questions

12.1 What is the full form of INSPIRE and MANAK?

INSPIRE stands for Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research. MANAK stands for Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge.

12.2 Who is eligible for the INSPIRE Award?

Students studying in Classes VI to XII (age group 10-17 years) in recognized schools are eligible.

12.3 How many nominations can a school submit?

Every eligible school can submit a maximum of 5 innovative ideas/projects. Within this limit, a maximum of 2 student ideas from Classes 11 or 12 (Science stream only) can be nominated.

12.4 What is the last date for nomination?

The last date for online nominations is 15 September 2026.

12.5 How much money does a selected student get?

A shortlisted student receives Rs. 10,000/- directly transferred into their bank account to build a working model or prototype.

12.6 What is the selection process for the INSPIRE MANAK Award?

The process involves school nomination, shortlisting of 1,00,000 ideas, providing Rs. 10,000 for prototype development, and then participating in District, State, and National Level Exhibitions and Project Competitions.

12.7 What type of ideas are accepted?

Original, creative, and innovative ideas rooted in science that can solve real-life problems, societal needs, or technological challenges are accepted.

12.8 Can a student submit more than one idea?

No, a student can submit only one idea. Also, the same idea cannot be submitted under multiple student names.

12.9 How does the school register on the portal?

Schools need to visit the official portal, click on “School Authority,” then “One Time Registration,” fill in all required details (UDISE Code, Headmaster’s name, official email ID, etc.), and submit the form. An application number will be generated.

12.10 Where can schools get more information or technical support?

Schools can contact their District Science Officers (DSOs) or the State Nodal Officer, INSPIRE MANAK, SCERT Andhra Pradesh for guidance and technical support.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the official proceedings issued by the School Education Department, Andhra Pradesh, and the official application guidelines of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. For the most current updates, please refer to the official INSPIRE MANAK website: www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in.