What Is NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission?

What Is NITI Aayog?

NITI Aayog stands for the National Institution for Transforming India. It designs and suggests the Indian government on policy and welfare programs. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015 and overtook responsibilities like formulating policies, evaluating the performance of those policies, building a knowledge and innovation hub, etc. 

Key Objectives of NITI Aayog:

• Set national development priorities and strategies with active participation from states.
• Promote cooperative federalism by continuously supporting states, recognizing that strong states build a strong nation.
• Plan from the village level up, ensuring local needs shape national policies.
• Integrate national security concerns into economic policies when required.
• Ensure inclusive growth, focusing on vulnerable sections of society.
• Create strategic, long-term policies, monitor their progress, and improve them through feedback.
• Encourage partnerships with stakeholders, think tanks, and research institutions globally.
• Build a strong ecosystem for knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship with expert collaboration.
• Resolve inter-sectoral and inter-departmental issues to speed up development projects.
• Serve as a knowledge hub, sharing best practices in sustainable development and governance.
• Monitor and evaluate programs to ensure efficiency and resource optimization.
• Upgrade technology and build capacity to enhance program implementation.
• Undertake additional tasks to achieve national development goals.

What Is Atal Innovation Mission?

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is the Government of India’s key initiative under NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship across India. AIM develops programs and policies to foster innovation, connects stakeholders, raises awareness, and oversees the country’s innovation ecosystem.

NITI Aayog seeks experienced Innovation Leads (Consultant Grade I) to drive and expand AIM initiatives and strengthen India’s innovation landscape.

Key Initiatives of AIM:

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs): 

Encourages problem-solving skills in schools through hands-on tinkering labs. Over 5,100 labs are already operational.

Atal Incubation Centers (AICs): 

Establishes world-class incubators to support startups and enhance India’s incubation model.

Atal New India Challenges (ANICs): 

Encourages product innovations aligned with the needs of various industries and government sectors.

Atal Community Innovation Centers (ACICs): 

Promote grassroots innovation in Tier 2 & 3 cities and underserved regions.

Applied Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE): 

Supports Make in India innovations in the MSME and startup sectors.

Mentors of Change: 

Build a nationwide mentor network involving corporates, institutions, and the public sector to support AIM initiatives.

AIM operates under NITI Aayog with direct government funding and oversight from the Mission High-Level Committee (MHLC), which includes leaders from the government, private sector, academia, and industry.

Atal Innovation Mission 2.0

On November 25, 2024, the Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, approved Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 (AIM 2.0) under NITI Aayog with a budget of ₹2,750 crore till March 31, 2028.

AIM 2.0 aims to strengthen India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by:

• Increasing participation – Encouraging more innovators and entrepreneurs.
• Boosting success rates – Supporting startups for better survival.
• Enhancing quality – Creating better jobs, products, and services.

This phase expands on AIM 1.0 initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and Atal Incubation Centers (AICs) while filling ecosystem gaps and scaling successful programs through government, industry, academia, and communities.

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs)

ATLs are innovation labs set up in schools (Grades 6-12) to nurture creativity and problem-solving skills. These labs provide 21st-century tools like IoT, 3D printing, robotics, and DIY kits to students.

So far, 10,000 ATLs have been established across 700+ districts in all Indian states and UTs. AIM and NITI Aayog are offering a ₹20-lakh ATL grant to 10,000 schools in 2025. Schools must meet the eligibility criteria for ATL. Click here to read a simpler version of the eligibility criteria for ATL.

Atal Innovation Mission’s Initiatives

SheSTEM 2024 Initiative:

The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy and Nordic partners, concluded SheSTEM 2024, celebrating women’s contributions in STEM. The initiative invited students from grades 6–12 across India to submit innovative ideas focused on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems. Over 1,000 submissions showcased the creativity and problem-solving skills of India’s youth, aiming to inspire the next generation of innovators. 

Youth Co:Lab 2025 Launch:

AIM and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Citi Foundation, launched the seventh edition of the Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge for 2024-2025. This year’s challenge focuses on empowering young entrepreneurs, including those with disabilities, to develop solutions enhancing access and well-being for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). In collaboration with the AssisTech Foundation (ATF), the initiative seeks to foster social entrepreneurship and drive sustainable development.

Final Words

Schools all over India are working with AIM to build a future-ready generation. NITI Aayog’s mission and vision are all set to take India ahead on a global level. ATALUP is an Atal Lifecycle Management System offering comprehensive solutions to schools.

ATALUP is offering end-to-end support to secure the grant, build a strong strategy to set up the lab, automate operations, train teachers, and track compliance. Contact us to get FREE guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions