Focus: GS III: Science and Technology
Why in News?
Recently, the 9th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) for the INSPIRE Awards – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge), has commenced.
About INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Award:
- It is aligned with the ‘Start-up India’ initiative and is being executed by DST (Department of Science and Technology) with National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body of DST.
- In accordance with this, students are invited from all public and private schools nationwide, regardless of the educational boards (national and state).
- They would receive financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each so they could create prototypes of the ideas they submitted for the programme.
- As a next step, they competed at respective District Level Exhibition and Project Competition (DLEPC) and State Level Exhibition and Project Competition (SLEPC) and finally National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC).
Aim:
- To motivate students to become future innovators and critical thinkers.
Objectives:
- To encourage a culture of creativity and inventive thinking among schoolchildren by aiming for one million unique ideas/innovations with scientific and societal implications.
- To use science and technology to address societal challenges while fostering the development of tomorrow’s sensitive, accountable, and innovative leaders.
About INSPIRE Scheme
- One of the Ministry of Science and Technology’s flagship initiatives is the INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) programme.
- Its goal is to inspire young people in the nation to pursue science in a creative way, to draw talent to the subject at a young age, and to create the crucial human resource pool needed to strengthen and grow the country’s scientific and technology system and research and development foundation.
- Since 2010, the INSPIRE programme has been effectively implemented by the Indian government. The programme has five components and is available to students between the ages of 10 and 32.
