Eligibility for the INSPIRE scholarship is contingent upon timely application and compliance with administrative guidelines.

Judgment :

1. This writ petition is filed by the petitioner for grant of “INSPIRE” scholarship for higher education “SHE” under Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspire Research.

2. The relevant facts in brief are that the respondent no.1- the Government of India through the Ministry of Science and Technology, invited applications for grant of scholarship for higher education “SHE” from the eligible candidates. The eligibility criteria is that the candidate must be amongst 1% topper in 12^th class from any recognized State or Central Board in India and who is pursuing three years B.Sc., B.Sc. (honors), four years B.S. and other courses. Since, the petitioner fulfilled the eligibility criteria, she applied for grant of scholarship. However, her candidature did not find favour with the respondents on the premise that she failed to apply within the permissible time limit, i.e., 15.11.2016 to 15.01.2017 (three months).

3. Inviting attention of this Court towards the application form submitted by her on 10.01.2017, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that although, she had applied in time, but, it was not forwarded by the concerned college, where she was pursuing her graduation course, to the concerned authorities. He submits that in view thereof, she should not suffer on account of fault of the college. He, therefore, prays that the writ petition be allowed and the respondents be directed to extend her benefit of “SHE”.

4. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondents no.1 and 2, inviting attention of this Court towards the revised guidelines dated 01.11.2016 issued by them for adding college/university name, would submit that if name of any college or university is not reflected on the online inspire web portal, the concerned college/university or the student is required to contact Inspire Programme Division at the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi either in person or by post well in advance at least fifteen days before submission of the application form to the portal with valid documents and since, name of the respondent no.4- college was unavailable on the portal and the petitioner failed to add its name on the concerned web portal, her application could not be entertained. He, therefore, prays for dismissal of the writ petition.

5. Heard. Considered.

6. Indisputably, name of the respondent no.4-college, where the petitioner was pursuing her graduation course, was not available on the online inspire web portal, a condition precedent for entertaining the application for grant of “SHE” and it is also an admitted position that the petitioner failed to add her college at the online inspire web portal as directed by the respondents vide revised guidelines for adding college/university name vide direction dated 01.11.2016. Since, the petitioner failed to apply for grant of “SHE” in accordance with the scholarship scheme and the revised guidelines issued by the respondents, this Court does not find her eligible and entitled for its grant.

7. Resultantly, this writ petition is dismissed being devoid of merit.

8. Pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of accordingly.