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Atal Innovation Mission (AIM 2.0)
Context:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog, with a budget allocation of Rs. 2,750 crore for the period until March 31, 2028.
More on News:
- AIM 2.0 builds on the achievements of AIM 1.0 but introduces a qualitative shift in focus.
- AIM 1.0 successfully established Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and Atal Incubation Centers (AICs), which helped build the foundational innovation infrastructure in India’s growing ecosystem.
Overview of AIM 2.0:
- It is a continuation of AIM 1.0 but introduces an enhanced approach to further increase India’s global competitiveness.
- India is currently ranked 39th on the Global Innovation Index and is home to the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem.
- Objective: AIM 2.0 is aimed at transforming India into a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by expanding, strengthening, and deepening the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- It will contribute to the creation of better jobs, innovative products, and high-impact services across various sectors.
- It will focus on piloting new initiatives to fill gaps in the ecosystem and scaling successes across central and state governments, industry, academia, and communities.
Key Programs:
- Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI): Building innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in India’s 22 scheduled languages to lower entry barriers for innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors who don’t speak English.
- This will include 30 Vernacular Innovation Centers in existing incubators.
- Frontier Program: Creating customised templates for the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the North Eastern states, Aspirational Districts, and Blocks where 15% of India’s citizens live. It plans to set up 2500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs).
- Human Capital Development Program: Plans to create 5500 professionals (managers, teachers, trainers) to build, operate, and maintain India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- Deeptech Reactor: Creating a research sandbox for testing ways of commercialising research-based deep tech startups.
- State Innovation Mission (SIM): Assisting states/UTs with building a strong innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
- International Innovation Collaborations: Enhancing India’s global competitiveness through international collaborations.
- Initiatives such as the Global Tinkering Olympiad, bilateral engagements with advanced nations, and a knowledge partnership with the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
- Industrial Accelerator Program: Focuses on increasing industry involvement in scaling up advanced startups. A minimum of 10 Industry Accelerators will be created in key sectors through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
- Atal Sectoral Innovation Launchpads (ASIL): Will build iDEX-like platforms in central ministries to integrate and procure from startups. At least 10 launchpads will be created across ministries.
Significance:
- AIM 2.0 will also play a significant role in India’s ongoing push to become a leader in global innovation and support the Start-up India Movement, as India continues to build upon its start-up success.
- The increased focus on deep-tech, regional innovation, and international partnerships is designed to ensure that India’s innovation ecosystem remains competitive, dynamic, and globally recognised.
