Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a leader in the INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme, recording the highest number of nominations in the country under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The state achieved a remarkable 2,10,347 nominations for the 2024-25 academic year, setting a new record for the scheme since its inception.
The INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme, run by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, encourages students from classes 6 to 10 to submit innovative ideas. This year’s nomination period ran from July 1 to October 15, 2024, during which all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh reported a significant increase in student participation compared to the previous year.
In 2023, Uttar Pradesh had made 50,329 nominations, but this year saw a massive jump of 1,60,018, reaching a total of 2,10,347 nominations. This milestone is a testament to the efforts of schools under the Secondary Education Department, Junior High Schools of the Council of Basic Education, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, Composite Schools, and Sanskrit schools across the state.
Among the top 50 districts in India for the number of nominations, 12 belong to Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kanpur Dehat, all of which contributed thousands of entries. UP’s lead in nominations surpassed that of Rajasthan (1,55,415) and Karnataka (1,05,613), solidifying its position at the top. Nagaland, with minimal growth, finished at the bottom of the rankings.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Announces Launch of 3 CoEs for Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities
Commenting on the state’s achievement, Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge), Sandeep Singh, credited the success to the collaborative efforts of education officials, teachers, and the wider community. “This accomplishment highlights the innovative potential and creativity of Uttar Pradesh’s students, who are pivotal to the nation’s future development,” he said.
The INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme has grown steadily in Uttar Pradesh over the past few years, as reflected in the rise in nominations:
- 2019-20: 33,134
- 2020-21: 25,166
- 2021-22: 27,108
- 2022-23: 31,932
- 2023-24: 50,329
- 2024-25: 2,10,347
This achievement sets a strong example for educational innovation and highlights Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to fostering creativity in its students.
