Questions :

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

• whether the number of incubation centres is rapidly increasing in the country;
• if so, the details of incubation centres started during last three years, state-wise;
• the number of youth who fetched employment in these incubation centres during last three years, state-wise and year-wise details thereof;
• whether any scheme is being run by Government to provide assistance for setting up incubation centre; and
• if so, the number of people who have benefitted from these schemes during last three years till date, the details thereof, State-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA)

• & (b): Yes, The number of incubation centres is increasing in the country. As per the information provided by NITI Aayog, Atal Incubation Centres (AIC), there has been a rise in the number of AIC from 13 in 2017 to 69 in 2022. Further, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is implementing MSME Innovative Scheme under MSME Champions Scheme for developing and nurturing innovative ideas which was launched in March 2022. 632 Host Institutes (HIs) have been recognized under Incubation component to act as Business Incubators since launch of the scheme.

During the last five years, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has established 56 Atal Incubation Centres (AIC) and 14 Atal Community Innovation Centres across the country. The list of Atal Incubation Centres established during the last five years is attached in Annexure-I.

(c) to (e):  As per AIM guidelines, every incubation centre (AIC) is mandated to operate with 5-6 team members to support startups with suitable physical infrastructure coupled with the availability of sectoral experts for mentoring start-ups. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), initiative established in 2016 to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. As part of the mission, AIM has been establishing world class incubators called Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) in universities, research institutions, corporates, etc. As per the information provided by NITI Aayog, since inception, 3052 startups have been incubated by the 69 AICs out of which 954 are women led startups. These startups have cumulatively generated 15,506 jobs across the country.

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Annexure- I Annexure referred to in reply to part (a)&(b) of the Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1223 for answer on 13.02.2023