The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, felicitated 62 young innovators at the 12th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) under INSPIRE-MANAK, a flagship scheme of the Department of Science and Technology. The event, held in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation–India (NIF), showcased the growing ability of school students from Classes VI to XII to develop innovations addressing real-world problems.
INSPIRE-MANAK, which stands for Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge, has been identifying and nurturing young innovators since 2017. The programme encourages students to develop original, science-based ideas rooted in societal applications, and provides mentorship, workshops and exposure to technical expertise to help refine their concepts into working prototypes.
Key facts
- 62 young innovators felicitated at the 12th NLEPC on 14 October 2026
- 729 students participated in the event
- 18,27,580 students selected under INSPIRE-MANAK since inception in 2017 through 2025–26
- 25 students have already commercialised their products and are earning income while still in school
- Around 250 intellectual property rights generated by participating innovators
- 7,444 students have exhibited projects at 11 previous National Level Exhibitions
- 46,926 students selected during 2023–24; 50,009 during 2024–25
- Participants represent all regions: from Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Kashmir, and Mizoram to Mumbai
What INSPIRE-MANAK offers students
Selected students receive structured support to develop their initial ideas into functional models and proof-of-concept prototypes. The programme connects young innovators with workshops, expert interactions and leading technical institutions. Students are encouraged to identify everyday challenges in their communities—whether in agriculture, healthcare, water conservation, energy, safety or accessibility—and apply scientific thinking to develop practical solutions.
The 12th NLEPC brought together students selected during 2023–24 and 2024–25, providing them a national platform to showcase their work, interact with subject matter experts and receive mentorship. Examples of projects displayed included an AI-based alcohol detection system to prevent drink-driving, an ultrasonic washing machine designed to conserve water, a vibration-based device to deter stray dogs, assistive technology for visually impaired students, and a tracking walking stick for elderly persons.
From school to entrepreneurship
A significant outcome highlighted by the Minister is that 25 students have already taken their innovations to market while still studying in school, with some earning substantial income. Additionally, around 250 intellectual property rights have been registered by young innovators participating in the scheme, demonstrating the commercial potential of their work.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed the need for stronger connections between student innovators and industry. He called for facilitated business-to-business interactions so that young inventors can receive feedback from enterprises, understand market requirements and explore pathways to scale their solutions. The Minister cited India’s growing start-up ecosystem, which has expanded from 350–400 start-ups in 2014 to approximately 2.5 lakh today, with nearly 60 per cent located in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, as evidence of opportunities available to young entrepreneurs.
Role of mentorship, parents and educators
The Minister emphasised that mentorship plays a critical role in helping students recognise their strengths, refine ideas and navigate the path from concept to practical application. He proposed that future editions of the competition include dedicated sessions where young innovators can speak directly about their work and experiences with parents and guardians present.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that parents, teachers and mentors collectively create an environment where children feel encouraged to experiment, question assumptions and learn from failure. He noted that sometimes parents, unfamiliar with the nature of their child’s innovative work, may inadvertently discourage the sustained effort required to develop an idea. Parental awareness and support are therefore essential to nurturing innovation from school level.
What this means for you
For school students: If you are in Classes VI to XII and have identified a problem in your community that can be solved through science or technology, INSPIRE-MANAK offers a structured pathway to develop your idea, connect with mentors and experts, and explore commercial opportunities. Some students are already earning income from products developed through this programme while still in school.
For parents and teachers: Supporting students in their innovative pursuits requires creating space for experimentation, questioning and learning from mistakes. The scheme recognises that this support environment is as important as the technical mentorship itself.
For industry and enterprises: Student innovators represent a source of fresh ideas addressing everyday challenges. The Minister has called for stronger industry partnerships to help refine student solutions and bring them to market.
Broader context
INSPIRE-MANAK is part of the Department of Science and Technology’s broader effort to nurture scientific temper and creativity from an early age. The geographic diversity of participants—from remote islands to northern Kashmir—demonstrates that innovation is not concentrated in metros but is emerging across India. The range of projects shows that young innovators are applying their minds to practical challenges in agriculture, healthcare, environmental sustainability, accessibility and everyday life improvements.