Recently, NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has collaborated with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) to launch ‘ATL Space Challenge 2021’. This announcement follows the Union cabinet’s decision in June 2020 to open up the space sector for private participation. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was also created to encourage private companies to utilise India’s space infrastructure.
Goal of the ATL Space Challenge
The scheme is designed to foster innovation among students from classes 6 to 12 by offering them an open platform to resolve issues related to space technology in the digital age. Students from both Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and non-ATL schools can participate in this challenge with support from school teachers, ATL In-charges, and mentors.
Benefits of Atal Tinkering Labs Initiative
Under the ATL initiative, schools receive funding to establish these labs, thereby encouraging learners to shape their ideas and perform innovative experiments independently in these laboratories. The initiative corresponds with World Space Week – held every year from the 4th to 10th of October – to celebrate the contributions of space science and technology.
India’s Push Towards Global Innovation
The introduction of the ATL Space Challenge 2021 is part of India’s strategy to climb the Global Innovation Index (GII), which is released by the World Intellectual Property Organization.
About Atal Innovation Mission
The AIM is the Government of India’s leading initiative to nurture a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. It strives to develop new programmes and policies that foster innovation across various sectors of the economy. AIM also aims to provide collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, raise awareness, and create an overarching structure to monitor the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Major Initiatives of Atal Innovation Mission
The AIM includes several major initiatives:
1.
Atal Tinkering Labs
: These labs are set up in schools across India to promote a problem-solving mindset.
2.
Atal Incubation Centers
: These centers are designed to foster world-class startups and add a fresh perspective to the incubator model.
3.
Atal New India Challenges
: This challenge encourages product innovations and aligns them with the needs of various sectors/ministries.
4.
Mentor India Campaign
: A robust national mentor network has been established in collaboration with the public sector, corporations, and institutions, to support all AIM initiatives.
5.
Atal Community Innovation Center
: This center is aimed at stimulating community-centric innovation and ideas in unserved /underserved regions of the country, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
6.
Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE)
: This initiative stimulates innovation and research within the MSME industry.
