With an allocation of Rs 150 crore, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to further spur Indian entrepreneurship

To push creativity in the country, the government had proposed to start a network of academic and scientific institutions that will also inculcate innovation in the young minds of the country. The scheme, named the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), will provide funds to these institutions for innovation-led research work to push economic growth and create jobs.

The setting up of AIM was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in the 2015-16 Union Budget, with an allocation of Rs 150 crore. AIM is being set up to act as an Innovation Promotion Platform that will also involve academic, entrepreneurs and researchers. The network will draw upon domestic and international experiences to cultivate innovation, R&D in India. The other objective of the mission is to also provide inputs to central ministries on innovation and develop mechanisms for funding result-oriented research.




To ensure faster implementation of the AIM scheme, all state Chief Ministers have been reached out to for participation and sharing views on the Startup India initiative. The various CMs will be updated on the progress made by the Atal Innovation Mission while Niti Aayog initiates the process of setting up ‘tinkering labs’ in schools in addition to incubation centres across the country – to boost innovation.

So far, NITI Aayog has selected 457 tinkering labs, 350 tinkering labs have been sanctioned an amount of INR 12 lakh for setting up tinkering labs. The think-tank, established by the Narendra Modi government to replace the Planning Commission, will provide a grant of Rs. 10 lakh for each laboratory to get 3D printers, DIY kits, etc. In addition to this, for a period of five years an additional Rs 10 lakh will be provided for operational and maintenance requirements.

While the tinkering labs are being setup in schools, they will also allow students that are not necessarily of that institute. All the children will get access to tools to help them learn and understand the concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).