The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Awards-MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge), a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (of the Government of India, continues to shine as a beacon of innovation and creativity among the nation’s youth. This year’s edition is seeing an overwhelming participation, with Uttar Pradesh leading the way with over 40,000 nominations, the highest in the country.

The INSPIRE awards aim to cultivate a scientific mindset and encourage young minds to explore science and technology. These awards honour and reward exceptional ideas from students nationwide in classes 6 to 10, aged 10 to 15. Schools can submit up to five ideas or innovations; nominations are open until September 15.

Uttar Pradesh has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering innovation and scientific curiosity among young minds, securing the top position in the country with over 40,000 nominations for the prestigious INSPIRE awards.

This remarkable achievement results from the collective efforts of the state government, educational institutions and educators.

The Yogi government’s proactive approach has encouraged students to explore and excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of nominations from Uttar Pradesh.

With this impressive participation, Uttar Pradesh leads the nation. It sets a new benchmark for promoting grassroots innovation and scientific inquiry among the youth, aligning with the broader vision of making India a global hub for science and technology.

The state’s dominance in the INSPIRE awards nominations reflects its strategic focus on empowering students with opportunities to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills and innovative ideas on a national platform. This further solidifies Uttar Pradesh’s role as a key contributor to the nation’s scientific and technological advancement.

In a significant move to foster creativity and innovation among students, schools across the region are introducing ‘Idea Boxes’, offering young minds a platform to submit their innovative ideas for consideration in the prestigious INSPIRE awards.

This initiative encourages students to think critically and creatively about real-world challenges, allowing them to have their voices heard and their ideas recognised nationally.

The collected ideas will be evaluated and the most promising ones will be developed further, potentially leading to their nomination for the INSPIRE awards, a programme designed to promote innovation in science and technology among youth.

Educators hope to ignite a passion for invention and problem-solving by integrating this initiative into the school environment, empowering students to contribute meaningfully to society’s progress.