PM Modi to interact with India’s vibrant startup ecosystem as ‘Startup India’ completes 10 years
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a special event in the national capital on Friday to mark ten years of the ‘Startup India’ initiative. This information was shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday. The ‘Startup India’ programme was launched by Prime Minister Modi on January 16, 2016, with the aim of promoting innovation, encouraging entrepreneurship, and driving growth through investment so that India becomes a job-creating nation rather than a job-seeking one.
According to a PMO statement, the Prime Minister will interact with key stakeholders from India’s fast-growing and dynamic startup ecosystem during the event. Selected startup founders will share their entrepreneurial journeys and experiences. Prime Minister Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion.
Over the past decade, India’s startup sector has witnessed rapid expansion. More than 2 lakh startups have been officially recognised across the country. These startups have played a major role in job creation, technology-driven economic growth, and strengthening domestic supply chains across various sectors. The ‘Startup India’ initiative has now become a strong foundation for India’s economy and innovation ecosystem.
The statement added that the initiative has strengthened institutional support systems, improved access to funding and mentorship for startups, and created an environment that enables startups to grow both in India and globally. Last week, Prime Minister Modi had urged startups to use artificial intelligence (AI) for social good, stressing that AI should be affordable, accessible to all, and transparent.
According to government data, the number of startups in India continues to rise steadily. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognised 2,01,335 startups under the ‘Startup India’ initiative, which have generated over 2.1 million jobs nationwide. Additionally, patent applications filed by Indian innovators increased by 425 percent between 2014 and 2024. India’s ranking has also improved in the Global Innovation Index 2025, reaching the 38th position.