Previous Year Question
Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the
Department of Science and Technology
Ministry of Labour and Employment
NITI Aayog
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was established in 2016 as a flagship initiative of NITI Aayog. Its purpose is to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the country.
AIM operates at different levels of the innovation ecosystem.
Atal Tinkering Labs are established in schools to give students practical exposure to robotics, electronics, 3D printing, the Internet of Things and other emerging technologies. They seek to develop scientific temper, design thinking and problem-solving abilities among students.
A selected school may receive a grant of up to ₹20 lakh—₹10 lakh for establishing the laboratory and ₹10 lakh towards operational expenditure over five years.
Atal Incubation Centres support start-ups and new enterprises through workspace, mentoring, technical assistance, business advice and access to investors. Subject to the prescribed conditions, an eligible incubation centre may receive assistance of up to ₹10 crore.
Other AIM initiatives have included Atal Community Innovation Centres, Mentor India, Atal New India Challenges and ARISE.
Options (a), (b) and (d) are departments or ministries of the Union Government, but AIM was not established under them. It is a flagship mission administered under NITI Aayog.