Lok Sabha Question No. 231 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Active Atal Tinkering Labs under Atal Innovation Mission
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 231

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2024

## ACTIVE ATAL TINKERING LABS UNDER ATAL INNOVATION MISSION

## 231 SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of active Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) established across the country under the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), particularly in Odisha;
- (b) whether any impact assessment has been conducted to evaluate the effect of ATLs on school children, including the benefits and outcomes of these labs on fostering innovation and curiosity;
- (c) the details of the measures taken by the Government to further boost the reach of ATLs, especially in rural and underserved areas, under AIM; and
- (d) the manner in which the ATLs are designed to generate curiosity and creativity among school students and the specific activities or approaches being implemented to achieve this?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

- (a) Atal  Innovation  Mission  (AIM),  NITI  Aayog  has  established  a  total  of  10,000  Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country, out of which 331 ATLs have been established in Odisha.
- (b) Yes Sir, AIM, NITI Aayog has conducted an independent third party impact assessment to evaluate  the  effect  of  ATLs  on  school  children.  The  assessment  report  is  available  on official  website  of  AIM  and  can  be  accessed  here  -  https://aim.gov.in/pdf/AssessmentReport-of-Atal-tinkering-Labs.pdf.

- (c) AIM has taken several  measures  to  ensure  that  the  exposure  of  ATL  reaches  rural  and underserved  areas  of  the  country.  Out  of  10,000  ATLs  established  by  AIM,  5,692 (56.92%) ATLs have been established in rural areas.

Further, out of 10,000 ATLs, 1022 (10.22%) ATLs have been established in Aspirational districts, while 375 (3.75%) ATLs have been established in Aspirational Blocks.

- (d) ATL is a dedicated workspace where young minds can give shape to their ideas through hands-on 'do-it-yourself' mode; and learn innovation skills. Young students get a chance to  work  with  tools  and  equipment  to  understand  the  concepts  of  STEM  (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).  ATL  also  contain  21 st century  kits  and  equipment such as- electronics, robotics, open-source microcontroller boards, sensors and 3D printers and computers.

AIM regularly organizes exhibitions, workshops, webinars, lecture series etc. to generate creativity and curiosity  amongst school students. AIM has  developed learning resources on 21 st century skills which are available to all students covering latest technologies.

Further, AIM  also  organizes  national  level competitions  &  challenges  to  provide necessary platform for students to showcase their innovative projects.

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