GovtSchemesRegister EN | हिंदी

File No. CS-SCI-005 · Central Scheme · NITI Aayog

Atal Innovation Mission — Atal Tinkering Labs

A ₹20 lakh grant for schools to build a hands-on STEM innovation workspace — robotics, 3D printing, electronics — for students from Class 6 to 12.

Note: this grant is awarded to schools, not individual students or families — a school applies on behalf of its students. This page explains what the grant covers and how a school's management can apply.

What this scheme offers

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are innovation workspaces set up in schools under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog's flagship innovation-and-entrepreneurship initiative launched in 2016. Selected schools receive a total grant of ₹20 lakh over 5 years — ₹10 lakh for one-time capital equipment (3D printers, robotics kits, microcontrollers, sensors and similar tools) and ₹10 lakh for operational expenses spread across the grant period. Students use the lab to learn STEM concepts hands-on: design thinking, computational thinking, physical computing and prototyping. The 2025 Budget expanded the target to 50,000 ATLs across India over five years, adding to the 10,000+ labs already operating in 35 states and UTs, reaching students who would otherwise have no access to this kind of equipment before university.

Which schools are eligible

  • Government, government-aided, or private schools recognised by a State or Central education board, with a valid U-DISE code.
  • Must run classes from at least Class 6 through Class 10 (many labs extend to Class 12).
  • Must have at least 1,000-1,500 sq. ft. of dedicated, safe, permanently usable space for the lab (some guidance now cites up to 4,000 sq. ft. net carpet area — confirm the current requirement when applying).
  • Must commit a teacher or staff member as the designated ATL in-charge, and commit to operating the lab at least 2 hours a week on a structured timetable, for a minimum of 5 years.

Documents required (for the school's application)

  • School recognition certificate from the relevant education board
  • U-DISE code
  • Proof of available space (floor plan or ownership/lease document)
  • Bank account details (a dedicated "School – ATL" savings account) and PFMS registration
  • Board resolution or commitment letter for any required matching contribution

How a school applies

  1. Confirm your school meets the eligibility criteria — grade range, dedicated space, and a committed ATL in-charge.
  2. Register your school on the Atal Innovation Mission portal (aim.gov.in), submitting institutional, contact and infrastructure details.
  3. Submit the ATL application along with your supporting documents.
  4. If selected, funds are released in stages; the lab must be set up within roughly 3 months of the first disbursement.
  5. Schools must submit monthly mentoring/activity reports on the ATL Dashboard and support at least 10 student teams participating in innovation marathons or competitions each year to continue receiving annual operational funding.

Related schemes