The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog with an expanded scope and a budget allocation of ₹2,750 crore, extending its implementation until March 31, 2028. AIM 2.0, envisioned as a step toward “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), seeks to build on the achievements of AIM 1.0 by strengthening India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. With India ranked 39th on the Global Innovation Index and recognized as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, AIM 2.0 aims to enhance global competitiveness by creating better jobs, innovative products, and impactful services across sectors.
While AIM 1.0 focused on establishing foundational infrastructure, such as Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and Atal Incubation Centers (AIC), AIM 2.0 introduces a strategic shift by addressing gaps in the ecosystem and scaling successful initiatives through collaboration with central and state governments, industry, academia, and local communities. The mission is designed to achieve three core objectives: increasing input by encouraging more innovators and entrepreneurs, improving throughput by enhancing startup success rates, and improving output by generating better-quality jobs, products, and services.
To increase input, AIM 2.0 will introduce the Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI) to reduce barriers for non-English speakers by creating ecosystems in India’s 22 scheduled languages. This includes the establishment of 30 Vernacular Innovation Centers within existing incubators. Additionally, the Frontier Program will focus on tailored support for Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, North Eastern states, and Aspirational Districts, with plans to create 2,500 new ATLs for region-specific innovation templates.
For improving throughput, AIM 2.0 will launch the Human Capital Development Program to train 5,500 professionals in managing India’s innovation ecosystem and the Deeptech Reactor to commercialize research-based startups that require longer incubation and higher investment. The State Innovation Mission (SIM) will assist states and Union Territories in building innovation ecosystems aligned with their strengths, while the International Innovation Collaborations Program will position India as a global innovation leader through initiatives such as a Global Tinkering Olympiad, bilateral partnerships, collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and leadership of the Startup20 Engagement Group under the G20.
To enhance output quality, AIM 2.0 will implement the Industrial Accelerator Program to establish 10 industry-focused accelerators in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode and the Atal Sectoral Innovation Launchpads (ASIL) to develop iDEX-like platforms in central ministries for integrating startups into key sectors. Together, these initiatives underline the government’s commitment to fostering a robust innovation ecosystem, ensuring India’s continued leadership in entrepreneurship and global competitiveness.
