The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog, with an enhanced budget of Rs. 2,750 crore, marking the launch of AIM 2.0 to further strengthen India's innovation ecosystem until 2028.
What is AIM 2.0?
Building on the success of AIM, which introduced impactful initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and Atal Incubation Centers (AICs), AIM 2.0 aims to expand and deepen India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. It seeks to pilot new initiatives and scale up existing programs to foster a more inclusive and sustainable innovation environment.
India currently ranks 39th on the Global Innovation Index and boasts the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem. AIM 2.0 intends to further boost these rankings and enhance the nation’s position as a global leader in innovation.
Key Programs Under AIM 2.0:
- Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI):
- Establish vernacular innovation centers in 22 scheduled languages, ensuring that non-English-speaking innovators can access the resources they need to succeed.
- Frontier Program:
- Aim to create 2,500 new ATLs in underserved regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Northeastern states, and Aspirational Districts to ensure innovation reaches every corner of India.
- Programs to Strengthen the Innovation Ecosystem:
- Training Programs: Equip professionals—such as managers, teachers, and trainers—with the necessary skills for fostering innovation across the ecosystem.
- Research Sandbox: Create a dedicated space to support the commercialization of deep-tech startups that require longer investment cycles.
- State-Level Innovation Support: Strengthen state-level ecosystems through NITI Aayog’s State Support Mission.
- Global Expansion: Expand India’s innovation footprint globally through collaborations with advanced nations, the Global Tinkering Olympiad, and partnerships with global organizations like the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the G20.
- Programs to Improve Output Quality:
- Industrial Accelerator Program: Scale advanced startups in critical sectors by establishing 10 accelerators through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
- Atal Sectoral Innovation Launchpads (ASIL): Establish 10 iDEX-like platforms across various central ministries to foster integration and procurement from startups in key sectors of industry.
About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):Launched by
NITI Aayog in
2016,
AIM is focused on fostering a
problem-solving mindset among students and strengthening the
entrepreneurial ecosystem in universities and research institutions. The mission seeks to promote
innovation and
entrepreneurship across India, particularly in underserved and rural areas.Key Programs Under AIM:
- Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs): Set up in schools (grades 6-12) to spark creativity and innovation in students using tools like 3D printing, robotics, and sensors.
- Atal Incubation Centres (AICs): Provide business incubation for startups by offering mentorship, funding, and technical support to help scale their businesses.
- Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs): Focus on fostering innovation in underserved regions, including Tier 2/3 cities and tribal areas.
- Atal New India Challenges (ANIC): Supports technology-based innovations that address national challenges, providing funding, mentorship, and support for scaling.
- Mentor India: A network of over 6,200 mentors across various sectors, guiding and supporting entrepreneurs and innovators through AIM’s programs.
With AIM 2.0, the mission aims to propel India into the next phase of innovation, ensuring that the country not only strengthens its domestic innovation ecosystem but also enhances its global competitiveness in technology and entrepreneurship. The expansion of programs and initiatives under AIM 2.0 is designed to create an inclusive, sustainable, and globally connected innovation ecosystem that benefits every region of the country.
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