Hyderabad, April 4 (RAHNUMA): Telangana’s first ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy, an initiative of the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog, was launched at Vardhaman College of Engineering on Saturday with the objective of strengthening the school-to-startup innovation ecosystem across the State.
The initiative will provide structured mentorship and institutional support to 379 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in Telangana through regional clusters linked to nodal institutions. The programme is aimed at enabling school students to transform ideas into practical solutions and entrepreneurial ventures in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The launch was attended by Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla as the chief guest and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said the initiative would strengthen the foundation of innovation in schools by creating linkages between students and institutions of excellence.
“ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy 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,” he said.
Under the programme, the 379 ATLs in Telangana will be grouped into clusters, each supported by a nodal institution. Vardhaman College of Engineering has been designated as the nodal institution for the State and will provide technical guidance, mentorship, teacher training and support for incubation and entrepreneurship.
Special Chief Secretary to the Governor M. Dana Kishore said India’s emergence as a global innovation leader depended on harnessing the potential of young people.
“Through Atal Innovation Mission, students across regions can access mentorship, develop practical skills and convert their ideas into impactful solutions. The programme creates a continuum from school education to entrepreneurship and ensures inclusive participation in India’s growth story,” he said.
Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission Deepak Bagla said the initiative was intended to foster a culture in which innovation begins early and is nurtured consistently.
“Our focus is on enabling every young innovator to move from ideation to impact. By building stronger linkages between schools, institutions and the wider innovation ecosystem, we are creating a pipeline of talent that will contribute to India’s growth, competitiveness and self-reliance,” he said.
The ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy seeks to provide students with exposure to emerging technologies, structured problem-solving approaches and opportunities to scale their innovations. It also envisages strengthening teacher capacity and ensuring sustained institutional support within schools.
The Telangana rollout forms part of the wider national programme of the Atal Innovation Mission, under which more than 15,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established across the country. Through partnerships between government, educational institutions and industry, the initiative aims to build regional innovation hubs and create a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
