Atal Innovation Mission and IFCCI Partner to Expand Atal Tinkering Labs Nationwide

In a landmark move to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and promote hands-on STEM education, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, and the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI)have signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to expand the reach and impact of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country.

The SoI was signed during the 3rd Edition of IFCCI CSR Connect Day 2025, hosted at the Embassy of France in New Delhi. The high-profile event took place in the presence of Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, and brought together more than 100 delegates, including Indian and French corporate leaders, diplomats, senior government officials, NGOs, and CSR professionals.

Themed “Collaborating for Scale—Cross-Sectoral Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” the event served as a platform for dialogue on strengthening corporate social responsibility initiatives and fostering partnerships that drive inclusive growth.

Indo-French Collaboration for Social and Technological Progress

During his address, Ambassador Thierry Mathou praised IFCCI’s commitment to strengthening Indo-French ties and enhancing cooperation in the social sector.

“The IFCCI CSR Connect Seminar at the Embassy of France has become a vital platform for deepening Indo-French cooperation in social impact. Looking ahead, 2026 will mark an important milestone, with the Prime Minister of India and the President of France declaring it the India-France Year of Innovation. This vision embraces social progress as a key dimension of our bilateral relationship. I encourage French and Indian businesses to view CSR as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and community impact,” he said.

The newly signed partnership aims to leverage CSR support from IFCCI’s network of member companies to bolster the ATL infrastructure, strengthen innovation-based learning, and promote digital literacy in schools across India. The initiative also focuses on creating deeper industry-education linkages that will expose students to emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem-solving.

Empowering Students Through Innovation

Atal Tinkering Labs, an initiative under AIM, have become catalysts for nurturing creativity and innovation among young minds. These labs provide students with acc

ess to advanced tools such as 3D printers, robotics kits, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, helping them learn by doing and innovate solutions for local and global challenges.

Highlighting the transformative impact of the initiative, Deepak Bagla,Mission Director, AIM, NITI Aayog, said:

“From a small village school in the northernmost part of India to the southernmost tip, innovation is thriving in every district. AIM has already impacted over 11 million student entrepreneurs and is recognized among the world’s largest grassroots innovation programs. The partnership with IFCCI will further expand this innovation-driven learning to many more students and young entrepreneurs across India.”

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry

Payal S. Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving long-term social transformation.

“This partnership is a step forward in empowering India’s youth with 21st-century skills. Together with AIM, we aim to make innovation accessible to every student, especially in underserved regions,” she noted.

Since 2023, IFCCI’s CSR Department has implemented 86 projects, impacting more than 15,000 beneficiaries across India. These projects span key sectors such as education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, livelihood creation, and clean energy, reflecting IFCCI’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Building an Inclusive and Future-Ready Innovation Ecosystem

Under the AIM–IFCCI collaboration, the focus areas will include:

• Identifying and supporting schools for ATL implementation and upgradation.
• Training and mentoring teachers to foster creativity and innovation in classrooms.
• Organizing innovation challenges and exhibitions to showcase student-led solutions.
• Promoting industry-school linkages to enhance practical learning and employability.
• Encouraging CSR investments in technology-based education and innovation initiatives.

Through these efforts, the partnership seeks to create a sustainable innovation ecosystem that nurtures curiosity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking from a young age. The collaboration also underscores India’s growing emphasis on STEM learning, digital inclusion, and skill development as key drivers of the nation’s economic growth.

The AIM–IFCCI partnership reaffirms the shared vision of both organizations—to make India a global hub for innovation, technology, and social impact. By enabling access to modern learning tools and mentorship opportunities, the initiative will help students—especially in government and underserved schools—unlock their potential as the next generation of innovators and changemakers.