New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday launched the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-Atal New India Challenges programme to support MSMEs and start-ups for making India innovative, resilient, tech-driven, and research and development (R&D)-oriented. The Niti Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), in collaboration with ISRO and four ministries, will focus on challenges in 15 sectors through the programme.
“This support for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and start-ups in product development would make India innovative, resilient, tech-driven and R&D-oriented,” Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said at the launch of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-Atal New India Challenges programme.
He added that the programme provides a great opportunity for the government to become the first buyer of indigenous Made in India technology solutions.
Kant also expressed hope that the Atal Innovation Mission, through the ARISE-Atal New India Challenges, will help in breaking new ground and this will be a path-breaking approach for driving India in the field of innovation.
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He explained that each challenge will have two winners, each eligible for a grant of up to INR 50 lakh, which will be given in three tranches. Only projects which are in advanced stages of research and development or have an initial prototype will be selected.
Here’s the full list of challenges put out for startups and MSMEs to address in the ARISE Atal New India Challenges:
ISRO
Propulsion: Green propellants, electric propulsion and advanced air-breathing.
Geo spatial information: Using ML/AI useful in crop monitoring, weather forecasting, and program evaluations.
Robotics/AR/VR: To support space exploration and outer space monitoring.
Ministry of Defence
AI-based predictive models: AI-based predictive maintenance of plant machinery.
Auto stabiliser system: Design and development of latest technology auto stabiliser system as form, fit & function (FFF) replacement of existing auto stabiliser system.
Communication modems: Wide band HD data communication modem with 4G automatic link establishment data throughputs of the order of 120 kbps.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Waste to wealth: Effective utilisation of commercial food processing industry waste streams.
Alternative food packaging materials: Against the use of single use plastic — materials from food waste to bio-sources.
Machines for indigenous food products: Optimised processing conditions and machinery for bulk production of native Indian products.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health data analytics: Use of data analytics to identify early breakout of epidemics based on the historic curve and data.
AI solutions: AI-based solutions for antimicrobials resistance (AMR) surveillance.
Health care monitoring: Monitoring the logistics of cold chains in immunisation program.
Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs
Project water: Water pressure sensing systems to monitor leakage, illegal activity and help manage planned pressure in water supply lines.
Project clean air: Development of smart technology to reduce pollution through construction dust by at least 25%.
Project move: Development of usable smart technology to create a real-time mobility decision support system for Indian cities.
Also, speaking at the event, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said this is a red-letter day for the country, as the Atal Innovation Mission”s ARISE-Atal New India Challenges brings together some of the brightest scientific minds of India to work together for the prosperity of the country”s MSME sector.
Besides ISRO and Niti Aayog, representatives from ministries of defence, health and family welfare, housing and urban affairs, and food processing industries also participated at the event.
A grant-in-aid of up to Rs 50 lakh for 9-12 months have been earmarked for start-ups to develop a minimum usable prototype.
The AIM is a flagship initiative of the Niti Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country, based on detailed study and deliberations on innovation and entrepreneurial needs of India in the years ahead.
Speaking at the event, MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari urged the Niti Aayog to formulate a digitised system where the decision making process related to the programme can be completed in 15-20 days.
“We need to remove speed breaker in government programmes. We have to stop corrupt people in the system and encourage good people in the system,” Gadkari said.
He also noted that government officials are not willing to adopt new technologies because they fear if something goes wrong, they will be held accountable and punished.
“If you do something new, you are bound to commit mistakes. Therefore, the Niti Aayog should formulate a system where those who commit bonafide mistakes are pardoned and only those making malafide mistakes are held accountable,” the minister said.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan said the flagship programme will promote innovations and entrepreneurship across the length and breath of our country.
MSME Reporter is an initiative to support MSME sector units. Use www.msmereporter.com for important announcements such as policy changes, schemes, tenders, notifications, norms, circulars, opportunities etc. relevant for Entrepreneurs. Feel free to share our updates with your connects to strengthen the MSME fraternity.
