Jammu & Kashmir to Get 500 New Atal Tinkering Labs, ATL Sarthi Initiative Launched to Boost Student Innovation in Frontier Regions
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog and the Government of India, launched a major initiative at the University of Kashmir to propel innovation in Jammu & Kashmir. As part of the Frontier Region Programme, 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) will be set up across the Union Territory, representing the largest share of 2,500 such labs sanctioned nationwide with a ₹100 crore investment.
The launch was graced by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and other dignitaries. This initiative is aimed at empowering school students across remote, tribal, and underserved areas by providing access to cutting-edge STEM tools including robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence. The ATL Sarthi program will also focus on mentorship, skill-building for teachers, and institutional linkages involving schools, universities, and incubators to nurture young innovators.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised the role of ATLs in transforming the innovation ecosystem at the school level across districts like Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Srinagar, and others. He emphasized that these labs not only enhance problem-solving skills but prepare youth for opportunities in agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, and disaster management—key local sectors needing innovative solutions.
Highlighting the broader vision, Dr. Jitendra Singh spoke of Jammu & Kashmir’s potential to be a torchbearer in India’s innovation-led growth story by 2047. He stressed inclusive innovation, public-private partnerships, and the importance of developing robust collaborations as exemplified by initiatives like India Space Research and biotechnology clusters.
The event included the release of a Coffee Table Book featuring student innovation success stories and commitments from corporate partners like Boeing India, Amazon, and Pi Jam Foundation to invest in strengthening school-level innovation ecosystems. Discussions among local incubators sought to create a unified roadmap for entrepreneurship, including forming a local incubator chapter.
The ATL Sarthi launch marks a transformational milestone for J&K’s youth and innovation landscape, highlighting the government’s commitment to democratizing STEM education and nurturing the aspirations of India’s next generation innovators in frontier regions.
