UP tops in ‘INSPIRE Award MANAK Scheme’; State records the highest number of nominations under CM Yogi’s leadership

Highlights-

• All districts report increased enrollment compared to last year
• 12 districts from UP rank among the top 50 in the country for enrollment
• The achievement highlights the innovative potential and creativity of students: Sandeep Singh

Lucknow News INA.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has set a new benchmark in education by securing the top spot in the country under the INSPIRE Award MANAK scheme, recording the highest number of 2,10,347 nominations.

It is noteworthy that UP made 50,329 nominations under this scheme last year, which has increased by a record 1,60,018 this year, reaching a total of 2,10,347 nominations. This is the highest number of nominations since the scheme's inception.

For context, this scheme, run by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, aims to encourage innovation and creative thinking among students from classes 6 to 10. This year’s online nominations were open from July 1 to October 15, 2024.

The data reveals that all 75 districts of UP have made more nominations this year compared to last year. Along with schools under the Secondary Education Department, students from Junior High Schools of the Council of Basic Education, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Composite Schools, and Sanskrit schools have also submitted their original and innovative ideas through online nominations.

Among the 50 districts with the highest number of nominations in the country, 12 are from Uttar Pradesh. These include Lucknow (6,086), Prayagraj (5,555), Hardoi (4,811), Azamgarh (4,728), Kanpur Dehat (4,726), Bareilly (4,690), Agra (4,684), Bulandshahr (4,617), Lakhimpur Kheri (4,439), Aligarh (4,424), Barabanki (4,098), and Bijnor (4,057).

The number of nominations under the INSPIRE Scheme since its inception are as follows:

Academic Year        Number of Nominations
2019-20                  33,134
2020-21                  25,166
2021-22                  27,108
2022-23                  31,932
2023-24                  50,329
2024-25                  210,347

Uttar Pradesh has surpassed other states, leaving Rajasthan (1,55,415 nominations) and Karnataka (1,05,613 nominations) in second and third place, respectively. Uttar Pradesh has achieved 54,932 more nominations than Rajasthan and 1,04,734 more than Karnataka. It is also noteworthy that Nagaland, which recorded just 14 more nominations than last year, had to settle for the last position.

Regarding this unprecedented achievement, Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh stated that the success in reaching this milestone is due to the collective efforts of officials, employees, teachers, and the community involved in basic education. This accomplishment reflects the innovative potential and creativity of Uttar Pradesh's students, who play a crucial role in the nation's development.