Why is it in the news?
→ Marked 10 years of Startup India on National Startup Day (16 January 2026).
→ PM highlighted India’s rise as one of the world’s largest startup ecosystems aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
Category: Economy
Important Points
- Startup India Initiative launched on 16 January 2016.
- Implemented by DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade).
- India has over 2 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups (as of Dec 2025).
- More than 120 unicorns with combined valuation exceeding USD 350 billion.
- Nearly 50% of new startups originate from Tier II and Tier III cities.
- Nearly 44,000 startups registered in 2025 alone – highest annual addition.
- Fund of Funds for Startups: ₹10,000 crore corpus managed by SIDBI to support SEBI-registered AIFs.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: ₹945 crore for proof of concept, prototyping and market entry.
- Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups enables collateral-free loans via NCGTC.
- States’ Startup Ranking Framework classifies States/UTs as Best Performers, Top Performers, Leaders, Aspiring Leaders, Emerging Ecosystems.
- MAARG Portal and Startup India Investor Connect support mentorship and funding access.
- Atal Innovation Mission implemented by NITI Aayog; AIM 2.0 focuses on scaling innovation and deep-tech.
- GENESIS (MeitY) supports deep-tech startups, especially in Tier II/III cities.
- TIDE 2.0 supports ICT and emerging tech (AI, IoT, blockchain, robotics, clean tech, healthcare).
- NIDHI (DST) supports incubators and seed funding.
- SVEP under DAY-NRLM promotes rural entrepreneurship.
- ASPIRE Scheme (MSME) promotes innovation and skilling in rural areas.
- PMEGP provides margin money subsidy: 25% rural & 15% urban (General); 35% rural & 25% urban (Special Categories).
- India’s R&D intensity remains ~0.64% of GDP.
- Over 5,000 startup closures reported amid funding slowdown; seed funding fell 25% and D2C funding declined 18% in 2024.