Over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs driving school-level innovation under NEP 2020: Govt

new delhi: the centre on friday said that more than 10,000 atal tinkering labs (atls) have been set up across the country to promote innovation and scientific temper among school students under the national education policy (nep) 2020.according to official data, over 1.1 crore students from classes 6 to 12 are currently engaged in atl activities, and more than 16 lakh innovation projects have been created so far. the government has also announced the rollout of 50,000 additional atls in government schools during 2025-26 to further expand the programme's reach.the atls function under the atal innovation mission (aim) of niti aayog and provide hands-on access to emerging technologies such as robotics, 3d printing, sensors, artificial intelligence and internet of things. students also take part in national innovation challenges, hackathons and entrepreneurship programmes.the government said the initiative aligns with nep 2020's focus on experiential, enquiry-based and play-driven learning, replacing rote education with creativity, problem-solving and design thinking.apart from atls, initiatives such as school innovation councils, school innovation ambassador training programme and inspire awards-manak are strengthening innovation ecosystems at the school level, especially in rural and aspirational districts, the statement said.