The number of enterprises registered as startups under the Startup India programme reached 1.61 lakh as of January 31, 2025, according to data shared by Jitin Prasada, Minister of State in the Commerce Ministry. In a written response in the Lok Sabha, he stated that these startups have collectively generated over 17.69 lakh direct jobs, with more than 14.11 lakh created in the past five years.
Maharashtra recorded the highest number of registered startups at 28,511, followed by Karnataka with 16,954 and Delhi with 16,356. In terms of employment generation, Maharashtra also led with 3.17 lakh jobs, compared to 1.96 lakh in Delhi and 1.95 lakh in Karnataka.
Launched in January 2016, the Startup India programme provides various benefits, including funding support, tax exemptions, patent filing assistance, public procurement opportunities, and simplified winding-up procedures. To qualify, startups must be operational for no more than 10 years and registered as a private limited company, partnership firm, or limited liability partnership. Additionally, their annual turnover should not exceed Rs 100 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
Among the total registered startups, some have ceased operations. According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, 5,063 startups, representing 3.3 percent of the 1.52 lakh registered as of December 10, 2024, were categorized as closed, dissolved, or struck-off. Maharashtra had the highest number of closures at 929, followed by Karnataka with 644, Delhi with 593, Uttar Pradesh with 487, and Telangana with 301.
To further support the startup ecosystem, the government is working on establishing a not-for-profit company that will lead initiatives in collaboration with both government and private sector stakeholders. This entity is expected to function similarly to Invest India, the country’s investment promotion and facilitation agency, which operates through a public-private partnership model with industry representatives on its board.
