• The country has crossed the milestone of 200,000 startups officially recognized under the Startup India initiative, reflecting rapid growth in entrepreneurship nationwide.
• Over 44,000 new startups were recognized this year alone, marking the highest annual addition since the program began in 2016.
• Government incentives, credit guarantees, and funding schemes have helped startups create millions of jobs and attract significant investment across sectors.

India has crossed a major milestone in its startup journey, with more than 200,000 government-recognized startups now operating across the country, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. The achievement marks a strong year for entrepreneurship, with over 44,000 startups recognized in 2025 alone, the highest annual addition since the Startup India program began.

Launched in 2016, the Startup India initiative offers eligible startups several benefits, including income tax exemptions, easier compliance norms, and access to funding support. Goyal said the growing numbers reflect the success of sustained policy efforts to build a strong startup ecosystem.

One of the standout trends is the rise of women-led ventures. Nearly 48% of recognized startups now have at least one woman director or partner. Together, these startups have created more than 21 lakh direct jobs, highlighting their role as a key driver of employment.

Government-backed funding has also played a major role. According to Goyal, over Rs 25,320 crore has been invested in more than 1,350 startups through the Fund of Funds for Startups, which is managed via Alternative Investment Funds. In addition, Rs 775 crore has been disbursed under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups, improving access to loans and reducing risk for lenders.

Early-stage founders have also benefited from seed funding support. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme has approved over Rs 585 crore for more than 3,200 startup applications through incubators across the country. This funding helps young companies move from idea to market-ready products.

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Innovation activity continues to rise alongside funding. So far this year, startups have filed over 16,400 patent applications, pointing to stronger focus on research, technology, and intellectual property.

Goyal said the milestone reflects India’s growing confidence as a global startup hub, driven by inclusive growth, innovation-led policies, and increasing participation from women and young entrepreneurs.

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