NITI Aayog launches ATL Sarthi, Mentor India Academy in Telangana

NITI Aayog, through the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), has launched ATL Sarthi and the Mentor India Academy in Telangana to deliver structured mentorship and institutional support to 379 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the state. The rollout strengthens AIM’s mission of nurturing one of the world’s largest student-led innovation ecosystems.

A focused push for sustained innovation in schools

The initiative is designed to move ATLs from basic access to tools and technologies toward sustained engagement, problem-solving, and real-world impact. By clustering ATLs regionally and linking them with local institutions, the program aims to ensure continuous mentorship, teacher development, and clear pathways for incubation and startup support.

Key elements of ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy

• Structured mentorship: Regular guidance from trained mentors, including experts from academia, industry, and the startup ecosystem.
• Teacher capacity building: Targeted training modules to help educators lead innovation programs, integrate hands-on learning, and guide student teams effectively.
• Regional clustering: Grouping ATLs to share resources, conduct joint sessions, and accelerate peer learning across schools.
• Institutional linkages: Partnerships with local colleges and innovation hubs to provide labs, expertise, and avenues for advancement beyond the classroom.
• Incubation pathways: Support for promising student innovations to scale through incubation, prototyping assistance, and exposure to entrepreneurship.

Nodal institution for Telangana

Vardhaman College of Engineering has been onboarded as the nodal institution for Telangana. Leveraging its strengths in technical education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the college will support ATL schools with mentorship programs, teacher training, and access to resources that strengthen the state’s grassroots innovation ecosystem.

Empowering young innovators

ATL Sarthi and the Mentor India Academy will give students meaningful exposure to emerging technologies and structured problem-solving approaches. The intent is to help young learners transform ideas into tangible solutions that address local and national challenges—while building confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills essential for the future of work.

“The 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,” said Shiv Pratap Shukla. He added that such efforts are vital for shaping a generation that is confident, capable, and future-ready.

Strengthening the continuum of innovation

By investing in teacher development and institutional support, the program ensures innovation is not a one-time activity but a continuous, evolving process within schools. Regular engagements, project-based learning, and pathways to incubation will help students carry their ideas from conception to real-world application.

Part of a nationwide innovation mission

This rollout in Telangana aligns with AIM’s broader national agenda of building a robust student innovation ecosystem. With more than 10,000 ATLs already operational across India, the focus now is on deepening impact—turning access into outcomes, and nurturing a pipeline of young problem-solvers ready to contribute to India’s development journey.

As the program expands, ATLs across Telangana are expected to see stronger collaboration with local institutions, improved teacher readiness, and a clearer path for students to convert prototypes into viable solutions—laying the groundwork for a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven future.