INSPIRE Programs Spark Innovation: 15 Lakh Students Register for National STEM Quiz
In a landmark moment for India’s STEM education movement, more than 15 lakh students from across the country have registered for the National STEM Quiz 2025, launched under the INSPIRE Program — a flagship initiative by the Government of India to ignite curiosity, creativity, and scientific thinking among young learners.
For many students, this quiz is more than a competition — it’s a national stage to showcase innovation and imagination.
A Nation on a Mission to Inspire
The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme, launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), continues to redefine how India nurtures young scientific talent. Designed to attract bright students to science and technology careers, the program focuses on fostering curiosity, inquiry, and experimentation — all essential building blocks of 21st-century learning.
The National STEM Quiz, one of INSPIRE’s most popular initiatives, has quickly become a movement. This year’s record-breaking 1.5 million registrations reflect a growing enthusiasm for STEM education across schools, especially in rural and semi-urban regions.
Officials from the DST shared that registrations nearly doubled compared to last year, thanks to expanded digital outreach and gamified learning modules that made science fun, interactive, and accessible.
Breaking Barriers Through Technology and Inclusion
This year’s quiz was powered by a hybrid digital platform, enabling students from even the remotest corners of the country to participate. Schools in small towns and villages of Assam, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu reported unprecedented enthusiasm — many first-time participants describing the event as their “gateway to innovation.”
The digital-first approach wasn’t just about convenience; it represented a broader vision — to democratize access to STEM Education opportunities.
Dr. Neera Joshi, Director of the INSPIRE Program, highlighted this transformation:
“What we are witnessing is not just a quiz; it’s a movement of minds. Technology has allowed us to reach every aspiring innovator, irrespective of geography or background. That’s the true spirit of INSPIRE.”
More Than a Quiz: Building Future Innovators
The National STEM Quiz isn’t just testing textbook knowledge; it’s designed to spark creativity and problem-solving. Questions are rooted in real-world applications — from renewable energy and climate resilience to robotics and AI ethics — challenging students to think like future scientists and engineers.
The top performers will advance to the National Innovation Summit 2026, where selected students will present projects, prototypes, and community-driven solutions before a panel of scientists, educators, and industry innovators. Winners stand a chance to receive mentorship opportunities, research grants, and scholarships under the INSPIRE Awards – MANAK program.
For students like 14-year-old Ananya from Pune, participation alone is transformative.
“I used to love solving puzzles, but now I want to build solutions that help my community,” she shared. “The quiz taught me that science isn’t just about answers — it’s about asking the right questions.”
A Vision for the Future of STEM in India
The broader mission behind INSPIRE is clear — to transform India into a global innovation hub led by young scientists and problem-solvers. The program has already nurtured thousands of promising students through scholarships, innovation camps, and mentorship networks.
Experts say initiatives like this are pivotal for achieving India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals, which emphasise experiential learning, digital inclusion, and cross-disciplinary education.
As educators and policymakers celebrate this extraordinary participation milestone, the message resonates loud and clear: India’s scientific spirit is alive, youthful, and forward-looking.
