Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Led by NITI Ayog

The NITI Aayog-led Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was established in 2016 as the administration of India’s flagship opportunity to improve an entrepreneurial and innovative culture. AIM has undertaken a multi-pronged strategy to achieve this goal, assuring the formation of a problem-solving, inventive attitude in institutions and developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem in universities, research institutes, the commercial hub, and the MSME business. AIM’s efforts are routinely tracked and assessed using real-time MIS systems and customisable dashboards. Third-party organisations are now examining AIM’s initiatives to guarantee continual development. Its strategy is to create new programs and laws to encourage innovation across various industries.

Atal Innovation Mission

It is an innovation promotion program where there has been entrepreneurship, and the two make a tremendous force in moulding a country’s economy. It creates employment, goods, and processes by encouraging collaboration, innovation, vision, and passion. India has a sizable population, and the government of India has started the Atal Innovation Mission, which aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation promotion throughout the nation.

The Atal Innovation Mission’s Goals

• Because creativity is encouraged, strategies and plans for numerous industries will be focused on that philosophy.
• Creates chances for collaboration by providing a forum for many participants.
• Act as an umbrella organisation that monitors and incorporates the country’s technology infrastructure.

The AIM Framework

The NITI Aayog Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has undertaken several key initiatives to promote its goal of enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship.

Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL)

• To instil new concepts and new initiatives in the brains of youngsters.
• The advancement of technology is available to students as early as 12 years old.
• The ideas of technology, science, engineering, and maths are taught utilising many equipment and instruments.

Atal Incubation Centres (AIC)

• Actively supports creative entrepreneurs in their efforts to become even more accessible, long-term, and sustainable.
• Long-term companies and world-class startups will be formed in 110 smart cities and each state’s top 5 educational establishments to impact productivity.
• Innovations now have the infrastructure required and connection to startup funds and mentors in their respective professions. 

New India Atal Challenge

• Encourage the development of cutting-edge technology-based innovative goods.
• The following areas of attention are crucial for the country: 

1. storage applications
2. climate-smart accuracy agriculture
3. global drinking water
4. Railroads
5. Rolling stock condition monitoring 
6. Electric and autonomous mobility 
7. Waste disposal, regeneration, and repurposing.

Change Mentoring Program

• Youngsters at ATLs and AICs around the globe will be guided and mentored to improve and develop thinking skills, creating, and innovation capabilities.
• Instructors must work in these laboratories for at least two hours each week.

Community Innovation Centre at Atal

• The primary goal is encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and innovation in India’s unserved regions.
• The technical assistance institutes are built in places lacking infrastructural development, making it difficult for people to be creative and imaginative.

Atal Research and Innovation for Small Businesses (ARISE)

• To boost the performance of Indian startups and small companies, notably Micro, Small, and Medium Entities, through encouraging research and technology initiatives.
• The primary objective is to deliver a consistent stream of new goods, with the first possible clients being Central Government Ministries/Departments.
• This initiative is being driven by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and four departments: 

1. Ministry of Food Processing Organisations
2. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs
3. Ministry of Health & Social Welfare
4. Ministry of Defence.

• Encourages and promotes innovative startups to become more scalable, sustainable, and stable.
• Long-term businesses and world-class startups will be established in 110 smart cities and the top 5 educational universities in each state to impact productivity.
• Innovators will have the required infrastructure and access to startup capital and expertise as industry mentors.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) Achievements

• To improve the country’s technology infrastructure, more than 350 tie-ups have been developed.
• Atal Tinkering Research facilities have almost 5000 sites throughout India, servicing over 2.5 million kids in 660 districts.
• Over 10,000 advisors have joined up, with at least half having actual knowledge of ATLs and startups.
• The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has released an Artificially Intelligent instructional package for school-age students in conjunction with the AIM.
• One of India’s most extensive training organisations, Tutor India, was founded by AIM.

India has a massive human resource base that can be utilised efficiently and safely with the right equipment and instruction in engineering and innovation promotion, opening the door for significant advancements in innovation promotion. AIM supports India in assuring that assets are correctly utilised, eventually converting the nation into a technical and inventive powerhouse.

Conclusion

AIM has taken a comprehensive approach to future problem-solving, the innovative mindset in schools, and developing an entrepreneurship ecosystem in universities, research institutions, and the private and MSME sectors. Third-party agencies are currently reviewing AIM’s programs to ensure continuous improvement.

AIM aims to develop new programs and policies to foster innovation promotion in various economic sectors, provide a platform and collaboration opportunities for multiple stakeholders, raise awareness, and create an umbrella structure to oversee the country’s innovation ecosystem.