Government recognizes more than 55,200 startups during FY 2025-26, highest ever in a single year since launch of Startup India initiative

• Startup India is the flagship ecosystem initiative under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, launched 16 January 2016 to foster innovation, private investment and entrepreneurship.
• FY 2025-26 saw the highest-ever annual recognition of 55,200+ startups, taking cumulative DPIIT-recognised startups past 2.23 lakh and direct jobs past 23.36 lakh.
• Relevant for GS-III (economy, employment, S&T, growth) and GS-II (government schemes).