NEWS – The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog, with an enhanced scope and a budget of Rs. 2,750 crore until March 31, 2028. AIM 2.0 aims to further strengthen India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

KEY OBJECTIVES OF AIM 2.0

1. Foster Innovation & Entrepreneurship
   • Strengthen and deepen India’s existing innovation ecosystem.
   • Boost India’s global competitiveness by enhancing its rank in the Global Innovation Index.
   • Contribute to job creation, innovative products, and impactful services across sectors.
2. Enhanced Scope of Work
   • Building on AIM 1.0’s accomplishments such as Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and Atal Incubation Centers (AIC).
   • Introduce new initiatives to fill gaps in the ecosystem and scale successes.

AIM 2.0: STRATEGIC APPROACH

AIM 2.0 aims to strengthen India’s ecosystem by focusing on:

1. Increasing Input: Attract more innovators and entrepreneurs.
2. Improving Throughput: Increase startup success rates.
3. Enhancing Output: Produce better jobs, products, and services.

PROGRAMS TARGETING INCREASED INPUT

1. Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI)
   • Develop innovation ecosystems in 22 scheduled languages to lower barriers for non-English speakers.
   • 30 Vernacular Innovation Centers to be established in existing incubators.
2. The Frontier Program
   • Create tailored innovation ecosystems in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, North Eastern States, and Aspirational Districts.
   • 2500 new ATLs will be created to support regional innovation development.

PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THROUGHPUT

1. Human Capital Development Program
   • Build a system to train 5,500 professionals (managers, teachers, trainers) for innovation ecosystem support.
2. Deeptech Reactor
   • Create a research sandbox to commercialize deep-tech startups, with 1 pilot Deeptech Reactor
3. State Innovation Mission (SIM)
   • Assist states/UTs in building strong innovation ecosystems focused on regional strengths.
   • SIM will be integrated into NITI Aayog’s State Support Mission.
4. International Innovation Collaborations Program
   • Strengthen India’s innovation outreach internationally:
     • Annual Global Tinkering Olympiad
     • 10 Bilateral & Multilateral engagements with advanced nations
     • Collaborate with WIPO to spread AIM’s models globally
     • Lead the Startup20 Engagement Group of the G20.

PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE OUTPUT QUALITY

1. Industrial Accelerator Program
   • Engage industry to help scale advanced startups.
   • 10 Industry Accelerators in critical sectors will be set up through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
2. Atal Sectoral Innovation Launchpads (ASIL)
   • Build iDEX-like platforms within central ministries to integrate startups in key sectors.
   • 10 launchpads will be established across various ministries.