Now Merged with INSPIRE Scholarship Scheme
India is home to some of the brightest scientific minds in the world. To cultivate scientific curiosity and foster innovation among young students, the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) was introduced by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
Although KVPY has now been merged into the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE), its legacy and importance in identifying and nurturing scientific talent still hold immense value. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what KVPY was all about — and how it has now evolved under the INSPIRE umbrella.
🔍 What Was KVPY?
Launched in 1999, KVPY was a national-level fellowship program aimed at encouraging exceptional students to pursue research careers in basic sciences. It provided generous financial support and mentorship, helping students evolve into future scientists and researchers.
Even though KVPY has been discontinued as a standalone scheme since 2022, students can still access similar benefits under the INSPIRE Scholarship, which has now absorbed its core objectives.
👩🔬 Who Was Eligible for KVPY?
KVPY had three streams based on the student’s academic level at the time of application:
✅ Stream SA:
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Students studying in Class 11 (Science stream)
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Must have secured a minimum of 75% marks in Maths and Science in Class 10 (65% for SC/ST/PwD)
✅ Stream SX:
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Students in Class 12 (Science stream) or appearing for Class 12 exams
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Must have scored a minimum of 75% in Class 10 and expected to get 60% in Class 12 (relaxed for SC/ST/PwD)
✅ Stream SB:
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Students enrolled in the first year of B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S.
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Must have scored at least 60% in Class 12 and 60% in the first-year exams (relaxations applicable)
💸 Fellowship Benefits
Students selected for KVPY received monthly stipends and annual contingency grants to support their education and research ambitions.
| Academic Level | Monthly Stipend | Annual Contingency Grant |
|---|---|---|
| 1st to 3rd year of UG | ₹5,000 | ₹20,000 |
| M.Sc./4th–5th year of BS-MS | ₹7,000 | ₹28,000 |
This generous funding allowed students to access better research material, attend conferences, buy lab tools, and participate in science camps.
🧠 KVPY Aptitude Test & Selection Process
Unlike many scholarships that only consider academic marks, KVPY focused on evaluating a student’s true scientific aptitude. The selection process included:
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Online Aptitude Test – Conducted usually in November; tested students on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology.
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Interview (earlier) – Until 2020, shortlisted candidates were also interviewed. From 2021 onwards, only the test score was considered.
KVPY Exam Highlights:
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Objective-type MCQs
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No fixed syllabus; questions based on NCERT Class 10–12 curriculum
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Negative marking applied
This test was conducted across India in multiple regional languages.
🧬 Mentorship and Science Camps
One of the best features of KVPY was not just the stipend, but also access to world-class scientific exposure:
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Science camps at IISc, IISERs, and national labs
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Interaction with top researchers and professors
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Early exposure to real-world research problems
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Guidance for higher studies (like IITs, IISERs, and foreign universities)
These camps gave KVPY fellows a solid foundation for future scientific pursuits.
🔄 What Happened to KVPY?
As of 2022, the Government of India decided to merge KVPY with the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE). The decision was made to streamline funding mechanisms and unify science talent promotion under one banner.
Though KVPY is no longer a separate scheme, students who would have applied to KVPY can now apply under INSPIRE, which provides:
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₹80,000 per year scholarship (₹60,000 stipend + ₹20,000 research grant)
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Focus on basic sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, etc.)
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Opportunities to work with top institutions and researchers
INSPIRE now acts as a successor to KVPY, continuing its mission to empower budding scientists in India.
✅ Final Thoughts
Even though the KVPY program has been officially discontinued, its impact remains strong, and its core objectives live on through the INSPIRE Scholarship. If you’re a student who excels in science and dreams of building a career in research, applying for INSPIRE is your next best step.
With financial support, mentorship, and exposure to India’s top scientific institutions, this program is perfect for those who want to go beyond textbooks and contribute to real-world innovation.