STARTUP INDIA @ 10 YEARS

NEWS: Highlights the evolution, achievements, and future direction of India’s start-up ecosystem as the Startup India Mission completes 10 years.

Background: Startup India Mission

• Launched: 16 January 2016
• Launched by: Narendra Modi
• Objective: Promote entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, enable investment-led economic growth

Key Announcement (2025 Data)

• 44,000 new start-ups registered in 2025
• Highest ever annual addition since 2016
• Total start-ups in India: < 500 in 2014, > 2,00,000 in 2025
• India is now the 3rd-largest start-up ecosystem globally -After USA and China

Government Support:

• Total investment so far: ₹25,000 crore
• Purpose: Government does not invest directly
• Invests via SEBI-registered Venture Capital Funds
• Acts as a catalyst, not a competitor to private capital

Deep Tech Focus

• Reduces import dependence
• Strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Enhances dual-use technologies (civil + defence)
• Supports India’s ambition in:
  • Semiconductor ecosystem
  • Space economy
  • Defence manufacturing

Governance & Economy Linkages

Start-ups contribute to:

• Employment generation
• Formalisation of economy
• Regional entrepreneurship
• Digital public infrastructure usage (UPI, Aadhaar, ONDC)