New Delhi, Feb 14 (KNN) Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, said that over 2.07 lakh startups have been recognised under the government’s Startup India initiative as of December 31, 2025.
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), 2,07,135 startups across all States and Union Territories have been recognised since 2016, generating over 21.9 lakh direct jobs. The number of recognised startups has increased from 502 in 2016 to 49,429 in 2025. Self-reported job creation rose from 308 in 2016 to 4.67 lakh in 2025.
Funding Support Through Key Schemes
The government is supporting startups through three flagship schemes — the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS).
Under FFS, operationalised by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), supported Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have invested Rs 25,547.98 crore in 1,371 startups across 29 States and UTs, generating over 2 lakh jobs.
The Seed Fund Scheme has approved Rs 590.93 crore for 3,271 startups across 32 States and UTs, resulting in more than 22,600 jobs.
The Credit Guarantee Scheme, managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company, has guaranteed 334 loans worth Rs 808.18 crore across 20 States and UTs, supporting over 23,700 jobs.
Regulatory and Tax Reforms
The Minister also outlined measures aimed at easing compliance and providing tax relief. These include faster GST registration, simplified return filing for small businesses, waiver of penalties for certain past tax demands, and reduced pre-deposit requirements for appeals.
Startups are eligible for profit-linked tax deductions, deferred taxation on Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs), and compliance relaxations under the Companies Act.
(KNN Bureau)
