New Delhi, July 29 - The central government has approved a programme called Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (Inspire) to promote science and attract talent for pursuing career in research, Minister of State for Science and Technology Prithviraj Chavan said Wednesday.

Chavan, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, said the scheme was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in December last year with an objective to attract talent and motivate them for studying science from an early age and pursuing career in research.

'The scheme will help to build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science and Technology and Research and Development base in the country.