Uttar Pradesh Tops INSPIRE Award MANAK Nominations

Uttar Pradesh (UP) has set a new record in the INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme by securing the highest number of student nominations in India. In 2023-24, the state registered 2,80,747 nominations, surpassing its previous year’s count by 70,000. This achievement marks UP’s growing emphasis on encouraging innovation and creativity among school students.

INSPIRE Award MANAK Scheme Overview

The INSPIRE Award MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspiration and Knowledge) is an initiative by the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology. It aims to encourage students from classes 6 to 12 to submit original and innovative ideas. The scheme promotes scientific thinking and creativity across India’s young learners.

UP’s Nomination Growth Trend

UP’s nominations have steadily increased each year. From 25,166 in 2020-21 to 2,80,747 in 2023-24, the rise is remarkable. The number of nominations in 2023-24 is the highest since the scheme began. This growth reflects the state’s enhanced focus on education and innovation.

District-wise Contribution

All 75 districts of UP showed increased nominations compared to the previous year. Among the top 50 districts nationwide, 22 are from UP. Leading districts include Pratapgarh (7,085), Prayagraj (6,929), Lucknow (6,721), and Hardoi (6,689). This wide participation indicates widespread engagement across urban and rural areas.

Comparison with Other States

UP leads by margin. Rajasthan and Karnataka follow with 1,41,142 and 1,01,656 nominations respectively. UP’s total exceeds Rajasthan’s by 1.39 lakh and Karnataka’s by 1.79 lakh. Other states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand trail behind.

Inclusive Participation from Various Schools

Nominations came from schools under multiple education bodies. These include the Secondary Education Department, Junior High Schools of the Council of Basic Education, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Composite Schools, and Sanskrit schools. This diversity shows the scheme’s reach beyond mainstream schools.

Role of Education Officials and Community

Officials credit the success to the combined efforts of government employees, teachers, and local communities. Their active involvement in promoting the scheme ensured high participation. The state’s education administration played a key role in mobilising students and schools.

Timeline and Process

The online nomination window for 2023-24 was open from 15 June to 30 September. Students submitted their innovative ideas digitally. This process made participation easier and more accessible, contributing to the spike in nominations.