Source The Hindu
NEW DELHI — Marking the 10th anniversary of the Startup India initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today that India has achieved a historic milestone with nearly 44,000 new startups registered in 2025. This figure represents the highest annual addition since the flagship program’s inception in 2016, signaling a powerful acceleration in the nation’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Addressing a gathering of entrepreneurs and innovators at Bharat Mandapam on National Startup Day, the Prime Minister highlighted that India’s startup ecosystem has evolved from a government scheme into a “nationwide revolution.”
A Decade of Exponential Growth
PM Modi contrasted the current landscape with the situation a decade ago to underscore the scale of transformation.
Growth in Numbers: From fewer than 500 startups in 2014, India now boasts over 2,00,000 DPIIT-recognized startups.
Unicorn Surge: The number of active unicorns has jumped from just 4 in 2014 to nearly 125 today.
Job Creation: The ecosystem has become a primary driver of employment, creating over 21 lakh jobs to date.
“Startup India is not just a scheme; it is a rainbow vision connecting different sectors with new opportunities,” the Prime Minister stated. “Today, our startups are becoming unicorns, our unicorns are launching IPOs, and they are collectively shaping the future of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).”
Democratizing Innovation
A key highlight of the Prime Minister’s address was the democratization of entrepreneurship. He noted that the culture of “starting up” is no longer restricted to elite families or major metropolitan hubs like Bengaluru and Delhi.
Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities: Nearly 50% of India’s recognized startups now emerge from smaller towns and even rural villages.
Women-Led Innovation: India now ranks second globally in women-led startup funding, with over 45% of Indian startups featuring at least one woman director or founder.
Cultural Shift: The PM remarked that “risk-taking has become mainstream,” with society now respecting those who choose to innovate over traditional “fixed-salary” paths.
Focus on the Future: Deep Tech and Manufacturing
While celebrating past achievements, PM Modi urged the next generation of founders to pivot toward “strategic autonomy” and global leadership in emerging domains.
Key Priority Sector Government Support Initiative
Deep Tech & AI ₹1 Lakh Crore Research & Innovation Scheme
Defense & Space iDEX and Space-tech procurement pathways
Manufacturing Shift from services to world-class product development
Green Energy Support for Green Hydrogen and Sustainability ventures
The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing that the next decade will be defined by Indian talent solving global problems using indigenous technology. He assured entrepreneurs of continued regulatory ease, citing the decriminalization of over 180 provisions under the Jan Vishwas Act to ensure that innovators spend more time on R&D than in litigation.
