ATL Sarthi, Mentor India Academy Launched in Telangana to Boost School-to-Startup Innovation

Such initiatives are critical in shaping a generation that is confident, capable, and future-ready and Atal Innovation Mission is making it happen”: Hon’ble Governor of Telangana

In line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, today launched the ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing innovation from the school level. The initiative will extend structured mentorship and institutional support to 379 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), enabling young innovators to translate ideas into solutions that contribute to India’s development journey and position Telangana as a key node in India’s expanding grassroots innovation ecosystem.

The launch was graced by His Excellency Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, and Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal and Mines, in the presence of senior officials from AIM and the Government of Telangana, underscoring a shared commitment to nurturing future-ready innovators.

ATL Sarthi and Mentor India represents a focused effort to deepen the impact of ATLs by moving from access to sustained engagement. The initiative clusters ATLs regionally and connects them with leading local institutions to ensure continuous mentorship, teacher training, and pathways for incubation and startup support. Under this model, 379 ATLs in Telangana will be organized into clusters, each anchored by a nodal institution. Vardhaman College of Engineering has been onboarded as the nodal institution for the state, bringing its expertise in technical education, innovation, and entrepreneurship to support ATL schools and strengthen the local innovation ecosystem.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana, said, “The ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy initiative strengthens the foundation of innovation in our schools by creating meaningful linkages between young learners and institutions of excellence. It will empower students to think creatively, solve real-world problems, and contribute to nation-building. Such initiatives are critical in shaping a generation that is confident, capable, and future-ready and AIM is making it happen.”

The ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy initiative is designed to empower students with hands-on exposure to emerging technologies, structured problem-solving approaches, and opportunities to scale their innovations. By strengthening teacher capacity and providing institutional support, the programme ensures that innovation becomes a continuous and evolving process within schools.

Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission Shri Deepak Bagla, said, “Guided by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy are important steps we have taken towards building a culture where innovation begins early and is nurtured consistently. Our focus is on enabling every young innovator to move from ideation to impact. By creating strong linkages between schools, institutions, and the innovation ecosystem, we are building a robust pipeline of talent that will drive India’s growth, competitiveness, and self-reliance in the years to come.”

The rollout of ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana builds on AIM’s broader national mission of establishing one of the world’s largest innovation ecosystems for students, with over 10,000 ATLs operational across the country. By leveraging local institutional partnerships and fostering collaboration between government, academia, and industry, the initiative ensures that innovation is not only introduced but continuously nurtured and scaled.

With strong institutional support and leadership, ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy is expected to enhance innovation outcomes from ATLs, foster regional innovation hubs, and create a pipeline of young innovators and entrepreneurs who will contribute meaningfully to India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.