By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 14 July 2026

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) organised ASPIRE-SHAKTI — "Celebrating Women in STEM & Initiating Project Review Sessions" — on 13 July 2026 at Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was held through CSIR-HRDG and presided over by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and Director General of CSIR.

The initiative showcased the CSIR-ASPIRE Research Scheme, a dedicated programme for women researchers launched on International Women's Day in 2023. It funds women scientists as independent Principal Investigators and links funding with project review sessions and a compendium of research outcomes.

Since launch, the scheme received 2,878 proposals from 969 institutions and funded 301 women researchers (about a 10% selection ratio). Funded projects spanned Life Sciences (152), Engineering Sciences (54), Inter/Transdisciplinary Sciences (37), Chemical Sciences (34), and Physical Sciences (25).

Exam Facts

  • Full form: CSIR = Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, under the Ministry of Science & Technology.
  • Scheme: CSIR-ASPIRE — for women researchers, launched on International Women's Day 2023.
  • Led by: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR.
  • Reach: 2,878 proposals, 969 institutions, 301 women funded.
  • Outputs: 253+ SCI publications, 15+ patent applications, 300+ fellows trained.

CSIR-ASPIRE at a Glance

Feature Detail
Event ASPIRE-SHAKTI, 13 July 2026, New Delhi
Scheme launched International Women's Day 2023
Implementing group CSIR-HRDG
Women funded 301 as independent Principal Investigators
Top discipline Life Sciences (152 projects)

India & Women in STEM

CSIR functions under the Ministry of Science & Technology and is one of India's largest research and development organisations. Schemes like CSIR-ASPIRE aim to raise women's participation in STEM research, with CSIR noting the need for wider outreach to the North-East, Ladakh, and Tier-2/Tier-3 cities.

Practice Questions

Q1. ASPIRE-SHAKTI (July 2026) was organised by which body?
A) ICMR
B) CSIR
C) DRDO
D) ISRO

Show Answer

ANS. B. It was organised by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).

Q2. The CSIR-ASPIRE Research Scheme was launched on which occasion in 2023?
A) National Science Day
B) International Women's Day
C) Republic Day
D) World Health Day

Show Answer

ANS. B. It was launched on International Women's Day (8 March) in 2023.

Q3. Who presided over the ASPIRE-SHAKTI event as DG of CSIR?
A) Dr. Jitendra Singh
B) Dr. N. Kalaiselvi
C) Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
D) Dr. Shekhar Mande

Show Answer

ANS. B. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary DSIR and DG CSIR, presided over the event.

Q4. How many women researchers were funded as independent Principal Investigators?
A) 152
B) 253
C) 301
D) 969

Show Answer

ANS. C. CSIR funded 301 women researchers as independent Principal Investigators.

Q5. CSIR functions under which Union Ministry?
A) Ministry of Education
B) Ministry of Science & Technology
C) Ministry of Home Affairs
D) Ministry of Health

Show Answer

ANS. B. CSIR functions under the Ministry of Science & Technology.

Q6. Consider the following statements about the CSIR-ASPIRE scheme:
1. It supports women researchers as independent Principal Investigators.
2. It was launched on International Women's Day 2023.
3. Life Sciences accounted for the most funded projects.
Which of the statements are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

ANS. D. All three statements are correct.

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

UPSC Prelims: CSIR, DSIR, science & technology institutions, government schemes.

UPSC Mains – GS Paper III: science & technology, R&D ecosystem, women in STEM.

RPSC / SSC: current affairs on research schemes, institutions, and their heads.

Mains Descriptive Question

(GS Paper III · 250 words · 15 marks) Schemes like CSIR-ASPIRE seek to strengthen women's participation in STEM research. Discuss the significance of such initiatives and the barriers women researchers face in India.

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