The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog, extending its scope with an allocated budget of Rs 2,750 crore until March 2028.
AIM 2.0 builds on the accomplishments of its predecessor, which established initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and Atal Incubation Centres (AICs). While AIM 1.0 focused on creating foundational infrastructure for a nascent ecosystem, AIM 2.0 takes a more strategic approach, aiming to address systemic gaps, strengthen existing frameworks, and scale successful models. This next phase reflects India’s vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India), where innovation becomes the driving force behind economic growth and societal development.
The programme is designed to enhance innovation by increasing participation, improving success rates, and delivering high-quality outcomes. New initiatives, including the Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI), aim to make innovation more accessible by establishing 30 Vernacular Innovation Centres for innovators across India’s 22 scheduled languages. The Frontier Program, another significant development, will focus on creating tailored ecosystems for regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, the North East, and aspirational districts, ensuring that innovation reaches the most underserved areas of the country.
In addition to increasing participation, AIM 2.0 seeks to improve the throughput of the innovation ecosystem. A Human Capital Development Programme will train 5,500 professionals to operate and sustain the ecosystem, while the Deeptech Reactor initiative will support research-intensive startups requiring longer timelines and larger investments. The State Innovation Mission (SIM) will assist states and union territories in leveraging their unique strengths to foster innovation, while international collaborations will expand India’s global footprint, including initiatives like the Annual Global Tinkering Olympiad and bilateral partnerships with advanced nations.
AIM 2.0 also aims to improve the quality of innovation outputs. The Industrial Accelerator Programme will create at least ten sector-specific accelerators through public-private partnerships, enabling startups to scale in critical industries. Similarly, the Atal Sectoral Innovation Launchpads (ASIL) will establish platforms within central ministries to facilitate the integration of innovative solutions from startups into key government initiatives.
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Currently ranked 39th on the Global Innovation Index and hosting the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, India stands to strengthen its global competitiveness through AIM 2.0. The programme’s continuation aligns with the government’s vision of a knowledge-driven economy, creating better jobs, innovative products, and impactful services.
Union officials have highlighted that AIM 2.0 represents a pivotal step in India’s innovation journey, with its focus on collaboration between government, industry, academia, and communities.
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