India's start-up base has grown from ~350 to 2.3 lakh ventures, creating nearly 25 lakh jobs

Speaking at the RISE Conclave in Bengaluru, the S&T minister said the decade-old 'Startup India' push has made India the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem, with over half of new ventures from Tier-2/3 cities.

What happened

• Addressing the RISE Conclave 2026 in Bengaluru (theme: 'Innovation & Entrepreneurship Driven Growth for Viksit Bharat 2047'), Union MoS (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said India's start-up movement has become a major driver of employment.
• It has created nearly 24-25 lakh jobs over the last decade.
• The ecosystem, which had only around 350-400 start-ups about ten years ago, has expanded to nearly 2.3 lakh ventures today — making India the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem and reflecting its transition to an innovation economy.
• Notably, more than 50% of Indian start-ups now emerge from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, signalling the spread of entrepreneurship beyond metros.
• He credited the Prime Minister's 'Startup India' call in 2015 and subsequent reforms; RISE 2026 brought together over 125 start-ups, signalling India's growing strength in deep-tech innovation.

For Prelims

• Startup India: A flagship initiative launched on 16 January 2016 to build a strong start-up ecosystem — offering tax benefits, easier compliance, funding support (Fund of Funds for Startups) and a single-window. Implemented by DPIIT.
• DPIIT-recognised start-ups: A start-up must be DPIIT-recognised to access Startup India benefits; India has crossed ~2.1 lakh recognised start-ups (as on early 2026). Recognition criteria include age (<10 years), turnover (<₹100 cr) and innovation/scalability.
• 'Unicorn': A privately held start-up valued at over $1 billion; India has the third-largest number of unicorns globally (after the US and China) — consistent with the 'third-largest ecosystem' claim.
• Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS): A government fund (operated via SIDBI) that invests in SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds, which in turn fund start-ups — catalysing venture capital.
• Deep-tech: Start-ups based on substantial scientific/engineering advances (AI, space, biotech, semiconductors) — the government has a National Deep Tech Startup Policy in the works.
• Tier-2/3 spread: Over half of recognised start-ups now come from smaller cities — a marker of inclusive, geographically broad entrepreneurship.
• Don't confuse: 'Startup India' (DPIIT initiative, 2016) is distinct from Stand-Up India (2016, bank loans for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs) and from the Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) — all part of the innovation stack.

For Mains

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