Atal Tinkering Lab

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are innovative workspaces set up in schools under the Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog (Government of India) to foster STEM education and creativity. Launched in 2016 by the Prime Minister, the vision of ATL is to “cultivate one million children in India as neoteric innovators”. An ATL provides students (grades 6–12) with a hands-on “do-it-yourself” learning environment to tinker with technology – encouraging design thinking, computational skills, and problem-solving. In an ATL, students get to work with tools and equipment in science, electronics, robotics, and computing, giving “young minds a chance to work with tools and equipment to understand the concepts of STEM”.

Objectives

ATL’s main objectives are to:

• Provide skills for innovation: Create flexible workspaces where students can sculpt their ideas through hands-on activities, learn through making, and collaborate to work.
• Develop 21st-century competencies: Equipping young people with creativity, critical and design thinking, adaptive learning, teamwork, and entrepreneurship.
• Solve real-world problems: Encourage students to find innovative solutions to India’s problems, thus helping India grow as a knowledge economy.

These goals are in line with building a culture of scientific curiosity and making students “producers of products… rather than consumers”.

Importance to Schools

ATLs are significant to schools because they transform learning through the integration of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) with creativity.

• Encourage active learning: Students learn by doing-building models, programming microcontrollers, or 3D-printing prototypes-which deepens understandings of concepts.
• Improve curriculum: Schools that implement ATL regularly make curricular modifications in schools to accommodate tinkering and project work, relating theoretical lessons to practical innovation.
• Develop future-ready skills: Exposure to robotics, electronics, coding and design thinking prepares students for high-tech careers and global challenges.
• Promote scientific temperament: With a dedicated lab and mentorship, the ATLs create curiosity and develop confidence among students to bridge the gap between school-level learning and research.

Government reports indicate that ATL graduates exhibit enhanced interest in STEM, creative self-confidence, and problem-solving skills.

Facilities & Equipment

Every ATL should be a well-dedicated laboratory space; minimum area required is approximately 1,500 sq ft, or 1,000 sq ft in hilly/island regions, equipped with specialized equipment. The common facilities and core infrastructures are as follows:

• Electronics & Robotics kits: Arduino/Raspberry Pi boards, microcontroller kits, sensors – ultrasonic, IR, etc., LED modules, breadboards, wires, and robotics platforms.
• 3D Printers and Prototype Tools: This includes a 3D printer, laser cutter, CNC machine, or modeling supplies for rapid prototyping.
• Mechanical & Electrical Tools: Hand tools include screwdrivers, drills and pliers; multimeters; power supplies; DC motors; gears; and safety gear, such as goggles and gloves.
• Computing & Networking: Computers/laptops with internet, software for coding/CAD, and video-conferencing to connect with mentors.
• Science & DIY Kits: STEM kits (physics, chemistry, biology experiment kits), telescopes, microscopes, etc. (as listed in official ATL equipment lists).

The AIM provides a mandatory Equipment List for a batch of approximately 60 students, categorized into four packages:

• P1: Electronics, IoT, and Sensors-microcontrollers, robotics kits among others
• P2 – Rapid Prototyping Tools (3D printers, modeling tools)
• P3 – Mechanical/Electrical tools and measuring instruments (screwdrivers, drills, multimeters)
• P4 – Power Supplies, accessories and safety equipment

Schools shall procure the required ATL equipment from approved vendors as per guidelines.

Key Features

ATLs are characterized by: – Hands-on learning: Emphasis on learning by making (design, build, test) rather than passive lectures.
Open-access workshops: Laboratories are available to students outside of normal class times (often early mornings or weekends) to tinker and work on extracurricular projects.
– Mentorship & community: Volunteer mentors include both industry professionals and alumni, as well as “Mentors of Change”, who guide the student projects.
Competitions and Challenges: Events at the national level, such as the ATL Marathon or Tinkerpreneur competition, provide an avenue for students to present their innovations, and further encourage them to learn entrepreneurship skills.
Together, these features create an ecosystem where curiosity, experimentation, and innovation are part of everyday school life.

Eligibility

Schools that want to set up an ATL must meet the following AIM criteria (ref. ATL Guidelines:
School Type: Any recognized school running grades 6–12, Govt, aided or private, with a valid UDISE code.

• Infrastructure: at least 1,500 sq ft of usable space for the laboratory – 1,000 in hilly/island areas; computer lab with internet; steady electricity; science laboratory; library and playground.
• Faculty: Committed and competent personnel in mathematics and sciences to supervise the lab.
• Student Body: A minimum of about 400 students in grades 6–10, preferably with good attendance records (250 students in the hill areas).
• Governance: Forming an Advisory Committee involving the principal, ATL-in-charge, mentors, and parents; the Advisory Committee overseas’ the lab operations.

Schools also promise to implement ATL activities within their course structure and share resources with neighboring communities. In short, a school must have enough space, a dedicated team, and a supportive administrative plan to be eligible.

How to Apply (Setting up an ATL)

Schools apply online on the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) portal during open application windows. The usual process is:

1. Verify eligibility: Check all criteria as above, that is, grades, UDISE code, space, labs, staff.
2. Online registration:The use of the school’s official email and UDISE code will be required for registrations on the AIM’s ATL portal, according to the guidelines at AIM.
3. Submit Application: Fill in school profile, infrastructure, vision for ATL, teacher training, etc., and upload documents, if required (e.g., principal’s letter of commitment).
4. Screening & Selection: AIM screens the applications and selects schools competitively. It initially invited applications for batches of ~ 500–2,000 labs; for example, 500 schools were selected in the year 2016. Selected schools are informed and must adhere to further guidelines.
5. Disbursement of grant: Once selected, AIM grants a grant-in-aid to set up the lab, and the school follows procedures for compliance, as described below.
6. ATL Setup: The school purchases required equipment and equips the lab. Teacher trainings are also commonly provided by AIM or its partners.
7. Operation: The school operates the ATL, integrating activities – competitions, innovation clubs – and reports the progress on to AIM’s monitoring system.

The steps below are explained through guidance documents found on the website: ATL Orientation Brochure, Guidebook, and FAQ. Essentially, an eligible school applies for membership in writing when applications are opened through the AIM/ATL portal.

Core Components and Infrastructure

The ATL infrastructure is designed to be multidisciplinary and scalable. Core components include: – Physical Space: A large flexible lab area with workbenches, tool racks and storage. It must be safe and accessible.

• Power and Connectivity: Adequate availability of electrical sockets, backup for electricity, internet/Wi-Fi connectivity for research/learning purposes.
• Furniture & Collaboration Areas: Tables, chairs, display boards, and sometimes a meeting room or video-conference setup to interact with mentors and other schools.
• Innovation Tools: As outlined above – electronics stations, prototype machines (3D printer/CNC), mechanical tools, science apparatus.
• Safety Systems: Fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, safety signage, and necessary personal protective equipment.

AIM has been encouraging the networking of ATLs with local industries and higher-education Institution’s Innovation Councils. For instance, the AIM–AICTE partnership has matched 7,200-plus ATLs with 2,500-plus IICs in colleges to allow students to access advanced labs and mentoring. Such initiatives become part of the ATL ecosystem, which extends its reach and resources.

Examples of Implementation

• Jammu & Kashmir: AIM allied with the J&K government to create 500 new ATLs in the region. The Mission Director of AIM claimed that “hundreds” of ATL labs were already up and running across J&K, and they now intend to take the innovation movement to every school.
• Central Govt Adoptions: Several public sector organizations have “adopted” ATLs as a part of mentorship. For example, ISRO recently declared to adopt 100 ATLs to inculcate various aspects of space science among students and CSIR plans to adopt 295 ATLs.
• Academic Partnerships: In 2021 AIM and AICTE linked thousands of ATLs with engineering college innovation cells, enabling joint projects, visits, and virtual mentoring.
These are examples of widespread support: ATL is one of the flagship AIM initiatives by the Government of India, now spanning 10,000+ operational labs across 35+ states/UTs. National programs such as the “Mega Tinkering Day” have so far aligned thousands of ATLs through simultaneous innovation activities. In 2025 alone, 473,350 students in 9,467 ATL schools came together to build DIY vacuum cleaners, creating a Guinness-scale record.

Support & Maintenance

Once set up, the ATLs are maintained through a collaboration between the school and the support ecosystem of AIM: Funding & Budget: The Government- NITI Aayog-provides a one-time capital grant of ₹10 lakh per lab and ₹10 lakh for operating costs over 5 years[16]. The school deposits the funds in a separate bank account and utilizes the same according to the Financial Guidelines provided by AIM and reports the expenditure and interest earned.
Advisory Committee: Each ATL has an internal advisory body (Principal, ATL in-charge, community/industry reps, parents) that meets periodically to guide the lab activities and accountability.
Teacher Training and Mentors: Teachers-in-charge are given specialist ATL training (sometimes through online courses). AIM’s Mentors of Change (engineers, entrepreneurs, alumni) volunteer to mentor ATL teachers and students on projects. More than 6,200 Mentors are engaged in the ATL network.
Operational Oversight: AIM tracks ATL progress via compliance portals and periodic reports from the schools. Schools are to submit usage details, innovation project outcomes and the inventory data in order to get further tranches of funding
Multi-stakeholder support ensures that ATLs are continuously functional and innovative. Regular events like “Community Day” and national challenges, such as Tinkerpreneur, further motivate students and schools to keep the laboratories operational and updated.

Impact & Reach

ATLs have established a national innovation ecosystem in schools. As of late 2025: – 10,000+ ATLs are operational in 35 states and 722 districts.
– These labs reach out to engage over 1.1 crore students (11 million), with 16+ lakh innovation projects already generated.
The majority of over 60% of ATLs are located in Government or Government-aided schools, and 96% of those schools are co-ed or girls’ sections, thus offering broad public-school penetration.
Students in ATLs get early exposure to technologies such as 3D printing, IoT, robotics, etc., which create an interest in STEM careers. In AIM’s words, ATLs “prepare them to be the innovators of tomorrow” by building up problem-solving and design-thinking skills.
These results are indicative of the fact that ATLs are already bringing change in STEM education in India. For instance, some independent studies have noted the positive impact of ATL on creative self-efficacy and problem-solving confidence of students. This “record-breaking” Mega Tinkering Day event itself, with the participation of 473,350 students, is a testament to the unprecedented scale of ATL as a grassroots innovation movement.
Overall, ATLs mark a systemic shift: schools now provide openended learning spaces, and students across the country collaborate on tangible innovations. Government reports and the media continue to refer to ATLs as a model to inculcate scientific temper and 21st-century skills among school students.

FAQ

How much is the cost involved in setting up an ATL?
An ATL is sanctioned a one-time grant-in-aid of ₹10 lakh for capital equipment and infrastructure costs. Moreover, AIM provides ₹10 lakh for operational expenses over 5 years (₹2 lakh per year)[16]. Thus, approximately ₹20 lakh per lab is provided by the central government. The school can further add to this from its own or other sources.

What is the budget of Atal Tinkering Labs?
The Union Budget 2025 announced an expansion of ATL: 50,000 new ATLs in government schools over 5 years. However, specific budget outlays for ATL are within NITI Aayog’s allocations and the grants per lab — ₹20 lakh each — as above. There is no single “ATL budget” line-item; funding is dispensed via AIM programs and schemes.

Who initiated the Atal Tinkering Lab?
ATLs are a part of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), an initiative of NITI Aayog. The AIM was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016 to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. The ATL is the AIM flagship school program and is named after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

What is the use of an ATL lab?
An ATL is used to spark student innovation and STEM learning. It provides tools and mentors so students can design and prototype projects – robots, science experiments, smart devices, etc. – on their own. By “tinkering,” students learn concepts of science and engineering practically. An ATL lab turns passive learners into active problem-solvers in effect: “students get a chance to work with tools…to understand concepts of STEM,” thereby enhancing their creativity along with their technical skills.

Are Atal Tinkering Labs successful? Yes. Success indicators include the sheer scale and student engagement. Over 10,000 ATLs have been set up, involving more than 1 crore students. The labs have produced thousands of student innovations and have won national/ international hackathons. AIM reports that ATL is rated among the world’s largest grassroots innovation movements. Independent surveys also find that ATL participation boosts students’ interest in STEM and innovative thinking.

What is the funding of an ATL lab?
Funding is provided by the Government of India via NITI Aayog’s AIM and the host school. As indicated above, AIM provides a grant of ₹10 lakh for setup and ₹ 10 lakh for operation expenses over 5 years[16]. State governments or private donors may provide additional funds or matching grants. Schools should maintain a separate account for such funds and adhere to the AIM grant utilization guidelines.

What are the benefits of Atal Tinkering Labs?
Benefits include hands-on STEM education, development of 21st-century skills, including creative problem solving and teamwork. Early exposure to technology, such as robotics, coding, and 3D printing, is also provided. ATL empowers young students to “dream big and solve real-world challenges” through practical applications of classroom learning. They also encourage inclusivity-many ATLs in girls’ schools, community engagement-neighboring schools can use the lab-and bridge gaps from school to higher education through mentorships and industry ties.

How to join Atal Tinkering Lab?  
If you are a school, you “join” by applying to AIM’s ATL program as described above. Use the school’s official email and UDISE code to register and submit the application on the AIM portal. If you are a student or teacher in a school with an ATL, you join by enrolling in the ATL club or projects offered. Many ATLs have volunteer programs, evening workshops or competitions (e.g. ATL Marathon) that students can participate in. Students can also stay engaged via AIM’s online platforms like the ATL Unbox teacher portal, and through its annual innovation challenges.