Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is Government of India’s flagship initiative to create and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of our country. AIM’s objective is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platforms and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, and create an umbrella structure to oversee the innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystem of the country. Read More about AIM

The major objectives of establishing ATL include the following:
a. To create workspaces where young minds can learn innovation skills, sculpt ideas through hands-on
activities, work and learn in a flexible environment.
b. To empower our youth with the 21 century skills of creativity, innovation, critical thinking, design
thinking, social and cross-cultural collaboration, ethical leadership and so on.
c. To help build innovative solutions for India’s unique problems and thereby support India’s efforts to grow as a knowledge economy.

GUIDELINES FOR SETTING UP OF ATAL TINKERING LABORATORIES (ATL)
1.0 Background
The Government of India has setup the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) at NITI Aayog. Realising the need to create scientific temper and cultivate the spirit of curiosity and innovation among young minds, AIM proposes to support establishment of a network of Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) in India. ATL is a work space where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands on do-it-yourself mode and learn / develop innovation skills. The vision is to ‘Cultivate 1 Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’.

2.0 Objectives
The objective of this scheme is to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds and inculcate skills such as design mind-set, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing, rapid calculations, measurements etc. Young children will get a chance to work with tools and equipment to understand what, how and why aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

3.0 Features of Scheme
ATLs can be established in schools (minimum Grade VI – X) managed by State/ Central Government, Local body (Municipality / Nagar Nigam), Private trusts/society or Tribal/Social welfare department etc.

4.0 Funding Support
4.1. The applicant schools would be provided financial support in the form of Grant-in-aid for a maximum period of 5 years.
4.2. Key aspects of funding ATLs in schools:
a) One time establishment charge of up to Rs. 10.00 lakh would be provided for each ATL in the first year for instruments, prototyping equipment like do-it-yourself kits, 3D printer, electronic tools, etc. An illustrative list of equipment and kits is at Annexure V. A checklist of mandatory equipment and other infrastructure would be communicated to selected schools. The schools will procure equipment and kits at their end, however the AIM will provide support for the same.
b) An amount of Rs. 10.00 lakh would be provided for each ATL over a maximum period of 5 years for operation of ATLs, maintenance of equipment, purchase of consumables, organising popular science lecture series, innovation events and other scientific activities, competitions and payment of honorariums to the faculty and mentors involved.
4.3. Contributions from philanthropic and other institutions and under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) would be encouraged for financing / upgrading ATLs. Local Industry / Institution will be encouraged to support the initiative by creating subject/domain specific exhibits/tinkering laboratory facilities.

5.0 Infrastructure
The applicant school would have to provide at least 1,500 Sq. Ft. of built up space. Applicant schools from hilly / Himalayan and island states, UTs would have to provide atleast 1,000 Sq. Ft. of built up space. The existing facilities for meeting rooms and video conferencing among others can be used to supplement the laboratory space.

6.0 Application
Applicant schools intending to establish ATLs may visit http://www.niti.gov.in and submit their application online to the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. The prescribed application format is at Annexure III. Additionally, a declaration form on the school letterhead will have to be uploaded online by the school, the format is at Annexure
IV. It can also be downloaded from the application form.
The applications would be screened based on the screening criteria. Shortlisted applicants will then be evaluated based on Selection Criteria (Annexure II).
Selected Schools will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (Annexure VI) and Bond (Annexure VII) with AIM. The schools managed by Government (Central / States) or local body (Municipality / Nagar Nigam) are exempted from executing the Bond.
The above Scheme and guidelines are subject to periodic review/revision in consultation
with MHLC of Atal Innovation Mission.

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The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, aims to combine the physical and digital world across all disciplines and industries. Emerging breakthrough technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Internet of Things, Robotics, etc. are the core of the fourth industrial revolution.

Developing a Comprehensive Plan
Failing to plan is planning to fail
Before getting your hands on establishing the Atal Tinkering Lab, it is essential that you plan for the entire process – draw up a plan, create an organisational structure along with a reference document which has all the details. By developing a plan, you will be making a note of all the steps on a piece of paper which can be executed in the future by you and your team and will be a guiding document throughout. A fullfledged plan in hand will allow you to take the necessary actions to set up the lab, monitor its performance and also administer the workflow of the lab. A properly detailed plan will increase your work efficiency and
help you achieve the desired results.
The key elements of your plan should include–
• Functional Areas – Physical space and other physical resources – Design should be such that the lab can function both as a workstation and as a classroom
• Human Resources – Extremely important to allocate/appoint the right kind of people to manage the lab and conduct activities that will/can encourage students to innovate
• Content to be used in the lab – It will be as specified by AIM. In order to ensure that there is constant innovation and optimum use of technology, the delivery of the content has to be in a manner that engages and appeals / attracts the target audience – students/ teachers and community
• Tools & Materials – Technical resources – All tools and materials should be in sync with content that
will be used and should be procured accordingly – phase-wise on need basis
• Time Management – Session in Tinkering Labs should be given equal importance as for any
other subject in the school. The goal should be to include tinkering as a part of the syllabus and have
sessions where children are free to think, create and play using various instruments in the lab.

Your guide to what events should be conducted in the ATL for 2021-22 is here.