- The Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge (MANAK) programme was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) in 2017.
- It emphasises on the power of ideas in young minds to create a pipeline of innovative students who can recognise problems and find solutions to them.
- Aiming to harness the power of bright minds spread across 6 Lakhs School in the country, DST invites students from government and private schools to send original and innovative ideas having potential to solve common problems.
- These ideas go through a tough screening and mentoring process at the school level, district, and state level to be selected for the National level competitions.
- Meritorious ideas are rewarded with the award money of Rs 10,000 with option of showcasing it to district, state, and national level exhibition along with mentoring support.
- As India rises rapidly in the global innovation index, government efforts are rapidly promoting a culture of innovation among young people who are daring to experiment with their ideas.
- The movement that has been sparked is fast spreading to the remote parts of India’s with dreams for a bright future for the country.
