The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has become the first amongst States/UTs to establish an Atal Tinkering Lab in partnership with the government think tank NITI Aayog. NITI Aayog is keen to replicate the J&K model of Atal Tinkering Lab to rest of the country on 50:50 cost sharing basis. An Atal Tinkering Lab provides a space where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands on do-it-yourself mode and learn innovation skills. To foster entrepreneurship and innovation, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog has established over 10000 ATLs across the country so far enabling over 3 Million+ students between Grade VI to Grade XII acquire a problem solving, tinkering and innovative mindset. The aim is to encourage young minds in the field, and challenge students to become producers of products themselves instead of consumers those states who want to build such infrastructure and wish not to be dependent on central budgets may opt for the J&K model, said Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission.
Vaishnav said that an Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is establishing more 500 labs in J&K schools in next few years to promote innovative and creative mindset among J&K students. “We signed an agreement with 50:50 cost sharing basis to establish 500 ATL within two years. As per MoU signed between AIM and J&K UT both will provide rupees 10 lakh each to establish ATLs in UT. One ATL cost Rs 20 Lakh provided by AIM. For the first time in Jammu and Kashmir, that money is being cost is being shared by this Union Territory and the central government.” The Mission Director further said that it is entirely for the states that are willing to move quickly and build such ATL infrastructure for their schools. ATL was started with an aim to build 10,000 labs and the target has been achieved last month.