The Centre will roll out major science, innovation and women-in-STEM schemes including INSPIRE, INSPIRE MANAK, Vigyan Jyoti, KIRAN and WISE in West Bengal schools and colleges to strengthen scientific learning, research and innovation.

Centre to Expand INSPIRE MANAK, Vigyan Jyoti and Science Innovation Schemes in West Bengal Schools and Colleges

New Delhi/Kolkata, May 27, 2026: The Centre has announced the expansion of key science, research and innovation-focused schemes in schools and colleges across West Bengal, aiming to strengthen scientific temper, innovation culture and student participation in emerging areas such as technology, space, research and startups. The move includes schemes such as INSPIRE, INSPIRE MANAK, Vigyan Jyoti, KIRAN and WISE, which are associated with the Department of Science and Technology.

According to the official statement, the decision was taken after a meeting in Kolkata between Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and other portfolios, Dr Jitendra Singh, and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The statement said that major Central schemes related to science, research, innovation and startups would be implemented in West Bengal with immediate effect.

Focus on Scientific Temper and Innovation in Schools

The expansion of INSPIRE MANAK is expected to provide a stronger platform for school students to present innovative ideas and science-based solutions. The INSPIRE programme, officially known as Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research, is designed to attract young talent towards science and build a strong human resource base for India’s science and technology ecosystem.

INSPIRE MANAK, which targets young school students, has been positioned as an important initiative to encourage innovation at an early stage. The scheme supports students in developing original ideas and encourages them to engage with scientific problem-solving, research thinking and creativity.

Vigyan Jyoti to Support Girls in STEM

A major component of the expansion will be Vigyan Jyoti, a programme aimed at increasing the participation of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The programme is designed to encourage meritorious girl students to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields.

This is especially relevant for school and college-level education, where early exposure, mentoring, lab visits, career guidance and interaction with scientific role models can help improve girls’ participation in underrepresented STEM areas. The initiative is also aligned with India’s broader focus on gender parity in science and technology.

KIRAN and WISE to Promote Women in Science

The rollout also includes women-focused science schemes such as KIRAN and WISE-KIRAN. The Department of Science and Technology describes WISE-KIRAN as a dedicated scheme to enhance women’s participation in science and technology and address challenges faced by women during their scientific careers.

These initiatives are expected to support women students, researchers and scientists through research opportunities, fellowships and structured pathways for participation in scientific careers. The KIRAN framework is also associated with gender mainstreaming in science and technology.

Research Collaboration in Health and Science

The official announcement also highlighted possible collaboration among scientific institutions, medical colleges and AIIMS networks for clinical research in West Bengal. Areas such as arsenic poisoning research and cancer drug trials were mentioned as key outcomes from the Kolkata meeting.

This indicates that the initiative may not remain limited to school-level science promotion but could also support higher education institutions, medical research networks and applied scientific studies relevant to public health challenges in the state.

Why This Matters for West Bengal’s Education and Skill Ecosystem

The expansion of these schemes could play an important role in strengthening West Bengal’s future-ready education and skill development ecosystem. By connecting schools, colleges, research institutions and innovation programmes, the initiative may help create a stronger pipeline of students interested in science, research, technology, startups and emerging sectors.

For the skill development sector, the move is significant because science-led education and innovation exposure can improve employability, research orientation and career readiness among students. It may also support future workforce development in areas such as biotechnology, space technology, health research, clean technology, digital innovation and applied sciences.

Key Highlights

SkillCouncils Editorial View

The Centre’s decision to expand science and innovation schemes in West Bengal can be seen as a step towards building a more inclusive and research-oriented education ecosystem. Programmes such as INSPIRE MANAK and Vigyan Jyoti are particularly important because they introduce students to innovation and STEM learning at an early stage.

For India’s skill and education landscape, such initiatives are not only academic interventions but also long-term workforce development measures. A stronger focus on science, technology, research and women’s participation in STEM will be essential for preparing students for future jobs and emerging industries