Important Indian Scheme · Innovation
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
NITI Aayog’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across India.
Overview
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is the flagship initiative of the Government of India set up under NITI Aayog in 2016 to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the mission works at both school and entrepreneurial levels. At the school level, it establishes Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) to foster creativity and scientific temper among students, while at the entrepreneurial level it supports startups through Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) and other programmes. AIM aims to create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide.
Quick Snapshot
Launched2016
UnderNITI Aayog
Schools ArmAtal Tinkering Labs
Startup ArmAtal Incubation Centres
Key Features & Objectives
1
Establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools to nurture creativity and innovation among students.
2
Setting up of Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) to support and scale up startups.
3
Atal New India Challenges and Atal Grand Challenges to encourage product innovation.
4
Mentor India programme to provide mentorship to young innovators and startups.
5
Promotes the overall innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem under NITI Aayog.
Key Facts at a Glance
Exam Focus: Remember AIM is under NITI Aayog (2016), with Atal Tinkering Labs for schools and Atal Incubation Centres for startups.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) functions under which body?
A. Ministry of Education
B. NITI Aayog ✔
C. RBI
D. UGC
Q2. Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) under AIM are set up in:
A. Schools ✔
B. Banks
C. Hospitals
D. Ports
Q3. In which year was the Atal Innovation Mission launched?
A. 2014
B. 2015
C. 2016 ✔
D. 2017
Q4. Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) primarily support:
A. Farmers
B. Startups ✔
C. Pensioners
D. Exporters only
Q5. The Atal Innovation Mission is named after which leader?
A. Atal Bihari Vajpayee ✔
B. Lal Bahadur Shastri
C. Deendayal Upadhyaya
D. Sardar Patel