Key Points
- Over 55,200 startups recognised in FY 2025-26, a 51.6 per cent increase year-on-year
- Recognised startups have created more than 23.36 lakh direct jobs since 2016
- Nearly 48 per cent of recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner
India recognised more than 55,200 startups during Financial Year 2025-26, the highest annual figure since the Startup India initiative began in January 2016. The recognition programme, which offers tax benefits and regulatory support to eligible ventures, saw a 51.6 per cent increase in registrations compared to the previous financial year, according to government data.
The surge in recognitions has translated into significant employment growth, said the government. Startups recognised during FY 2025-26 alone created more than 4.99 lakh direct jobs, a 36.1 per cent increase from the 3.66 lakh jobs created in FY 2024-25. Since the programme’s inception, the cumulative job creation figure has crossed 23.36 lakh.
A notable trend in the data is the participation of women in startup leadership. More than 1.07 lakh recognised startups now have at least one woman serving as director or partner, accounting for approximately 48 per cent of all recognised ventures.
The cumulative count of recognised startups under the initiative has now crossed 2.23 lakh as of 31 March 2026. The Startup India programme, launched on 16 January 2016, offers benefits including tax exemptions for three consecutive years, self-certification for labour and environmental compliance, and access to government funding schemes.
Startups are now present across all 36 States and Union Territories. Five regions account for the largest share of recognised ventures and employment generation.
Maharashtra leads with more than 38,660 recognised startups that have created over 4.13 lakh direct jobs. Karnataka follows with 22,600 startups and 2.46 lakh jobs. Uttar Pradesh has 21,960 recognised ventures with 2.11 lakh jobs, while Delhi accounts for 21,120 startups and 2.36 lakh jobs. Gujarat rounds out the top five with 19,270 startups and 2.14 lakh jobs.
Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Haryana, Kerala and Rajasthan form the next tier, each hosting between 8,100 and 14,830 recognised startups.
Startup funding support exceeds ₹7,000 crore
The Centre operates three flagship schemes to provide financial support at different stages of a startup’s growth cycle.
The Fund of Funds for Startups, which channels government money through professionally managed investment funds rather than investing directly in companies, has disbursed more than ₹7,000 crore to over 135 Alternative Investment Funds by the end of FY 2025-26. These funds, in turn, have invested more than ₹26,900 crore in over 1,420 startups. The government has now notified a second phase of the programme, called Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, with a corpus of ₹10,000 crore.
During FY 2025-26, disbursements under the original Fund of Funds exceeded ₹1,039 crore, compared to more than ₹980 crore in FY 2024-25.
The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups, which reduces lending risk for banks by guaranteeing a portion of loans made to startups, was expanded during FY 2025-26. The maximum guarantee cover per borrower increased from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore. The extent of guarantee cover was also enhanced, and the annual fee charged to lenders was reduced for identified sectors.
By the end of FY 2025-26, more than 410 loans amounting to over ₹1,250 crore had been guaranteed under the scheme. Of these, 135 loans worth more than ₹600 crore were guaranteed during FY 2025-26 alone, compared to 130 loans worth ₹305 crore in the previous year.
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, which provides early-stage capital through selected incubators, has committed its entire corpus of ₹945 crore. A total of 219 incubators have been selected under the programme, and they have approved funding of over ₹605 crore to more than 3,400 startups. The scheme has been extended to allow continued disbursement and completion of approved activities.
Patent filings rise sharply
Intellectual property creation by startups has also accelerated. More than 19,400 patent applications have been filed by recognised startups since the programme began.
Patent filings increased from over 2,850 in FY 2024-25 to more than 4,480 in FY 2025-26, a rise of approximately 57 per cent.
The government data does not specify how many of these applications have been granted patents or the sectors in which filings are concentrated.
Your Questions, Answered
How many startups has India recognised under Startup India?
India has recognised more than 2.23 lakh startups under the Startup India initiative as of 31 March 2026. In FY 2025-26 alone, over 55,200 startups were recognised, the highest in any single year.
How many jobs have recognised startups created in India?
Recognised startups have created more than 23.36 lakh direct jobs since the Startup India programme began in January 2016. In FY 2025-26, startups created over 4.99 lakh jobs.
What is the Fund of Funds for Startups?
The Fund of Funds for Startups is a government scheme that invests in professionally managed investment funds, which then invest in startups. Over ₹7,000 crore has been disbursed to 135 funds, which have invested ₹26,900 crore in 1,420 startups.
Which states have the most recognised startups in India?
Maharashtra leads with over 38,660 recognised startups, followed by Karnataka with 22,600, Uttar Pradesh with 21,960, Delhi with 21,120 and Gujarat with 19,270 as of March 2026.
