ENA Sectors 2026-02-04 14:59:27 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Feb 4 (KNN)</strong> Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science &amp; Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday linked the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) with the Modi governments thrust on innovation-led growth and scalable startups, highlighting the Union Budget 2026 27s focus on ease of doing business.<br /> <br /> <strong>Budget Push for Startups and Innovation</strong><br /> <br /> Addressing the Annual Atal Innovation Incubator Conclave AIM SUMVAAD in New Delhi, the Minister said the Union Budget 2026 27 provides a strong impetus to Indias startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem, with emphasis on incubation, innovation and women-led economic participation. <br /> <br /> He noted that new enabling frameworks for startups, biomanufacturing and Self-Help Entrepreneurs (SHE) reflect an evolving approach towards inclusive and sustainable growth.<br /> <br /> <strong>National Platform for Incubation Ecosystem</strong><br /> <br /> AIM SUMVAAD, held at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre, is the flagship annual conclave of the Atal Innovation Mission, bringing together over 150 Atal Incubation Centres and Atal Community Innovation Centres, along with policymakers, industry leaders, CSR heads, mentors and ecosystem stakeholders.<br /> <br /> Tracing the evolution of Indias innovation ecosystem, Dr Singh said structured innovation received decisive political backing after 2014, enabling initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and startup-focused policy interventions. <br /> <br /> He said nearly 50,000 ATLs are now operational across the country, expanding access to innovation infrastructure in districts, smaller towns and rural areas.<br /> <br /> <strong>Startup Growth and Employment Generation</strong><br /> <br /> The Minister said Indias startup ecosystem has expanded from a few hundred startups a decade ago to over two lakh startups, generating large-scale employment and offering viable alternatives to traditional salaried jobs. He added that entrepreneurship has increasingly emerged as a credible and aspirational career option for young Indians.<br /> <br /> <strong>Biomanufacturing and Emerging Innovation Areas</strong><br /> <br /> Referring to Budget 2026 27 initiatives, Dr Singh highlighted the Biomanufacturing Shakti Mission, stating that it aligns with Indias strengths in biotechnology, biopharma, natural resources and human capital. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He said emerging focus areas such as the ocean economy, deep-sea resources and Himalayan bio-resources further broaden Indias innovation landscape.<br /> <br /> The Minister also highlighted the National Incubator Assessment Framework, describing it as a centralised digital platform for performance benchmarking and data integration of incubators nationwide. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He said the framework will support collaboration, transparency and capacity building across public, private and non-government incubation ecosystems.<br /> <br /> Dr Singh said the integration of startups, incubation and women-centric initiatives, ranging from Self-Help Groups and Lakhpati Didi to Self-Help Entrepreneurs (SHE), underscores the governments commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, with women playing a central role in Indias innovation-led growth journey.<br /> <br /> <em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span><br /> </p> 45032 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/aim-aligned-with-govts-innovation-led-growth-push-jitendra-singh 2026-02-04 14:59:27 knnindia.co.in