Atal Innovation Mission: Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in India

The Government of India, aiming to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, launched the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) through NITI Aayog with an initial funding of ₹150 crore. AIM supports SMEs and MSMEs by offering resources and opportunities to drive innovation and research. Additionally, it provides access to business loans and machinery loans, empowering entrepreneurs to scale their ventures and enhance their capabilities.

By leveraging national and international experiences, AIM develops a culture of scientific research, R&D, and innovation to meet the country’s future needs. AIM creates an ecosystem of scientific prowess across various sectors, including MSMEs, SMEs, NGOs, higher secondary schools, corporates, and science and engineering institutions.

Functions of Atal Innovation Mission

1. Promoting and Encouraging Entrepreneurship:

Atal Innovation Mission plays a crucial role in nurturing entrepreneurial skills by providing support and guidance to innovators. This assistance helps them transform their ideas into successful business ventures. Through various programmes and initiatives, AIM ensures that entrepreneurs receive the necessary resources, mentorship, and funding to grow their businesses. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, AIM contributes to job creation and economic growth, helping innovators become successful entrepreneurs who can compete in the global market.

2. Providing an Innovation Platform:

Atal Innovation Mission offers a robust platform for new ideas to take shape. This platform connects researchers, academics, and entrepreneurs, enabling them to collaborate and develop innovative solutions. AIM supports the entire innovation lifecycle, from ideation to commercialisation, by providing access to state-of-the-art facilities, expert mentorship, and funding opportunities. By creating an ecosystem that encourages experimentation and risk-taking, AIM helps bring groundbreaking ideas to life, driving technological advancement and addressing societal challenges.

Activities of Atal Innovation Mission

AIM activities focus on five key areas:

• Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs)
• Atal Incubation Centres (AICs)
• Atal New India Challenges (ANIC)
• Mentor India Campaign
• Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACIC)

Achievements of Atal Innovation Mission

• Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs): Established ATLs in schools nationwide to foster hands-on STEM learning and innovative thinking.
• Atal Incubation Centers (AICs): Created AICs offering infrastructure, mentorship, and support for startups and entrepreneurs, including MSME loans.
• Startup Support: Provided grants, mentorship, and resources to startups, with options for MSME loans to boost innovation and business growth.
• National and Regional Challenges: Organized innovation challenges to drive solutions for real-world problems and showcase innovations.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Partnered with institutions and industry leaders to enhance innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Skill Development Programs: Launched programs to upgrade skills in emerging technologies, supporting talent for innovative ventures.
• Promotion of Research and Development: Supported research projects and technological advancements, aiding innovators with MSME loans and funding opportunities.

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs)

Atal Tinkering Labs instills creativity and imagination in young minds. Atal Innovation Mission establishes ATLs in schools across all districts. These labs enhance children’s skills in design, physical computing, computational thinking, and adaptive learning. Equipped with modern tools like computers, 3D printers, robotics, sensors, and IoT devices, ATLs help students grasp the latest science and technology concepts.

The government provides a ₹20 lakh grant to set up ATLs in schools. This funding enables children to explore the latest technology, fostering problem-solving and creative thinking from an early age. The ATL programme encourages students and teachers to identify local community issues and use technology for innovative solutions. Tinkering challenges and monthly AIM challenges ensure active student engagement.

ATLs are established in higher secondary schools (Classes 6 to 10) managed by government bodies, societies, private trusts, and local organisations. AIM’s financial grant of ₹20 lakh includes ₹10 lakh for establishment costs and another ₹10 lakh for operational costs over five years. The aim is to ensure every school has access to at least one ATL, with expansion supported by state governments and other stakeholders.

Atal Incubation Centres (AICs)

Atal Innovation Mission promotes entrepreneurial skills in universities and industries by establishing state-of-the-art Atal Incubation Centres (AICs). These incubators help universities, SMEs, NGOs, and the corporate sector develop sustainable and scalable new ventures. New startups create job opportunities and provide social and commercial models applicable globally.

AIM supports existing incubators to scale up their operations, offering grants of up to ₹ ten crores to successful applicants. Preference is given to women entrepreneurs. The vision behind AICs is to promote top industrial institutions in every state to set up incubators, helping youth establish new startups. In the long term, these business models should align with other ministries, state, or public sector organisations to scale up operations and generate jobs.

Atal New India Challenges (ANIC)

Atal New India Challenges (ANIC) focus on technology-driven innovations impacting social and commercial spheres. These challenges address national interest areas such as water, energy, hygiene, housing, and health. ANIC incentivises research and promotes the creation of products required for social causes. Focus areas include:

• Alternate fuel-based transportation
• Cleaning sewage and septic tanks
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Digital solutions for grey-water management
• Anti-fog systems for road and rail transportation
• Garbage composition systems
• Quick portable water testing kits
• Waste management
• Electric mobility

Successful ANIC applicants receive grants of up to ₹1 crore, with provisions for significant grants of up to ₹30 crores under Atal Grand Challenges. AIM collaborates with the private sector and various institutions to develop new products and solutions for social good.

Mentor India Campaign

The Mentor India Campaign is a significant initiative under the Atal Innovation Mission aimed at fostering a robust research and development (R&D) ecosystem in India. This initiative promotes coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders, including government entities, industry leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academicians, scientists, and individuals passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship.

Objectives of Mentor India Campaign

1. Stimulating R&D Ecosystem: By bringing together diverse expertise from various sectors, the campaign aims to create a vibrant and dynamic R&D ecosystem in the country.
2. Providing Guidance and Mentorship: Experienced professionals from different industries and academic backgrounds volunteer as mentors to guide and support young innovators, students, and entrepreneurs.
3. Encouraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship: By fostering a culture of mentorship, the campaign helps budding innovators transform their ideas into viable products and businesses.

Key Features

1. Large Network of Mentors: The Mentor India network boasts over 10,000 registered mentors. Out of these, approximately 5,000 mentors are actively working with Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) nationwide, providing guidance to young students and helping them develop their innovative ideas.
2. Corporate and Industry Support: Leading industry players and corporate entities support the initiative by adopting ATLs and Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) in their vicinity. This support includes providing resources, expertise, and mentorship to nurture and develop innovative projects.
3. International Collaboration: AIM has forged partnerships with several countries, including the USA, UK, Singapore, and Germany. These international collaborations enable cross-border exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions, enriching the local R&D ecosystem.
4. Mentorship in ATLs and AICs: Mentors work closely with ATLs to help students engage in hands-on learning and innovative thinking. In AICs, mentors support startups and entrepreneurs by offering expert advice, helping them navigate challenges, and providing strategic insights to scale their ventures.

Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACIC)

ACIC aims to spur growth through community innovation in the most backward or underserved areas of the country. The objective is to promote innovation and generate jobs in these areas. Focus areas include:

• Underserved areas of tier-1/metro cities
• Tier-2 and tier-3 cities
• Smart cities
• Aspirational districts
• Northeastern states
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Tribal and rural areas

The purpose is to incentivise unique solutions that encourage students, academicians, researchers, or any organisation/group to design novel solutions.

Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE)

ARISE (Atal Research & Innovation for Startup Ecosystems) aims to spur research, innovation, and competitive spirit among startups, micro, small, and medium entities. The objective is to facilitate research, innovation, and sustainable solutions for various sectoral programs. The initiative, supported by GOI ministries/departments, helps procure solutions developed under the ARISE program.

This multi-stakeholder, multi-phase, and multi-sector program identifies, funds, mentors, and procures solutions from Indian enterprises. Objectives include:

• Import substitution
• Enhancing exports
• Indigenous solutions to local problems

Focus Areas under ANIC

• Agriculture and related sectors
• Health sciences
• Education sector
• Railways modernisation
• Water and sanitation solutions
• Green energy
• Green transportation solutions
• Food processing sector
• Affordable housing
• Power and energy

Conclusion

India is stepping up efforts to be at the centre stage of the knowledge-based revolution sweeping the world today. AIM was conceived and launched to overcome the deficit of a holistic innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Its objective is to stimulate, inspire, and support innovations at schools and colleges. By leveraging advanced technologies at AICs and ATLs, young minds are supported and mentored to realise their dreams for the collective good of society.

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FAQs

Q1: Why is a Trade License Compulsory?

Ans: A trade license is compulsory to ensure that businesses comply with local government regulations and operate safely. It helps maintain a standard of business practices and prevents any illegal or unethical business activities.

Q2: Who Issues a Trade License?

Ans: Local municipal authorities or corporations issue trade licenses where the business is located. Each municipality has its own set of rules and guidelines for issuing trade licenses.

Q3: Are You Eligible for a Trade License?

Ans: To be eligible for a trade license, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have no criminal record.
• Meet the specific requirements set by the local municipal authority for the type of business you intend to operate.

Q4: How Long is a Trade License Valid?

Ans: A trade license is valid for one year. You must renew it annually between January 1st and March 31st.

Q5: How to Renew a Trade License?

Ans: To renew a trade license, submit the renewal application at least thirty days before the expiry date. Required documents for renewal include:

• Original copy of the trade license
• Challans from the previous year
• Receipts of regular property tax payments

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