About the Mission

• The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of the country. It was setup in 2016.
• Towards this end, AIM has taken a holistic approach to ensure creation of a problem-solving innovative mindset in schools and creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship in universities, research institutions, private and MSME sector. 

Initiatives under Atal Innovation Mission

Atal Tinkering Labs – at School Level

• AIM has launched the establishment of thousands of Atal Tinkering Labs enabling students from grade 6 to grade 12 to have access to and tinker with innovative tools and technologies like 3D printers, robotics, miniaturised electronics do-it-yourself kits, thus stimulating a problem solving innovative mindset to solve problems in the community they are in. 

Atal Incubators at Universities, Institutions, Industry Level

• To promote creation of a supporting ecosystem for start-ups and entrepreneurs, AIM has been establishing world-class incubators called Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) in universities, institutions, corporates, etc. that would foster innovative start-ups and become scalable and sustainable enterprises. 

Atal Community Innovation Centres

• To promote the benefits of technology led innovation to the unserved/ underserved regions of India including Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, aspirational districts, tribal, hilly and coastal areas, AIM is setting up Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs) with a unique partnership driven model wherein AIM would grant up to Rs. 2.5 crore to an ACIC subject to a partner proving equal or greater matching funding. 

Atal New India Challenges

• To create product and service innovations having national socio-economic impact, AIM has launched Atal New India Challenges in partnership with five different ministries and departments of the central government.  

Applied Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE) 

• To promote innovation in a phased manner in the MSME/Start-up sector, AIM launched ARISE along with partner Ministries so that great research ideas are converted to viable innovative prototypes followed by product development and commercial deployment.

Mentorship and Partnerships 

• To enable all the initiatives to succeed, AIM has launched the “Mentor India – The Mentors of Change” programme, in collaboration with the public sector, corporates and institutions, to support all the initiatives of the mission.

Why in News?

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog and will operate with an expanded scope and  budget until March 31, 2028.