India has a storied legacy of scientific achievement—think of luminaries like C.V. Raman or Homi J. Bhabha—yet, for decades, the nation struggled to translate that heritage into a thriving modern scientific ecosystem. Enter the Modi government, which, since 2014, has rolled out an ambitious slate of programmes aimed at igniting curiosity, fostering innovation, and building a pipeline of scientific talent from schoolrooms to research labs.

With initiatives like the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the INSPIRE programme, and scholarships for science students, the government is betting big on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to power India’s future. But how effective are these efforts, and what’s the long-term vision? Let’s dive in.

At the heart of the Modi government’s push is the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), launched in 2015 under NITI Aayog. Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, AIM is designed to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship starting at the school level. Its flagship component, Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), brings hands-on learning to students as young as sixth graders. These labs—equipped with tools like 3D printers, robotics kits, and sensors—aim to “cultivate one million children in India as neoteric innovators," as the mission boldly declares.

By 2025, over 10,000 ATLs have been established across India, reaching students in both urban centres and remote districts. The idea is simple but powerful: give kids a space to tinker, experiment, and dream. Speaking at the India International Science Festival in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised this ethos: “There are no failures in science; there are only efforts, experiments, and success." For Modi, curiosity is the spark that drives discovery, and ATLs are the kindling.

But does it work? Early signs are promising. Students from ATLs have developed prototypes tackling local problems—like solar-powered irrigation systems or low-cost water purifiers—showcasing........

© News18