India now hosts over 2 lakh government-recognised startups, with more than 44,000 new entities recognised this year alone—the highest annual growth since the launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Friday. These startups are eligible for government incentives such as income tax relief and other support measures.

Highlighting the inclusivity of the ecosystem, Goyal noted that nearly 48% of the recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner. “These startups have collectively generated over 21 lakh direct jobs, contributing significantly to India’s employment and economic growth,” he said in a social media post.

The government has supported startups through multiple financial schemes. Under the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) initiative, Alternative Investment Funds have invested over Rs 25,320 crore in more than 1,350 startups. Additionally, Rs 775 crore has been sanctioned under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups to ease access to funding for new ventures.

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Further support has been provided through the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, with over Rs 585 crore approved for more than 3,200 startup applications by incubators. This initiative aims to help early-stage startups scale operations and bring innovative solutions to market efficiently.

Innovation and intellectual property creation remain a key focus for India’s startup ecosystem. So far this year, startups have filed over 16,400 patent applications, reflecting a growing emphasis on research, development, and technology-driven entrepreneurship.

With these measures, the Startup India initiative continues to strengthen the entrepreneurial landscape, promoting innovation, inclusivity, and economic resilience. Officials believe sustained support and funding will help India emerge as a global hub for startups in the coming years.

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