Startup India
Initiative launched in January 2016 to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups, providing tax exemptions, easier compliance, IPR fast-tracking, and the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) of ₹10,000 crore administered by SIDBI.
Why UPSC tests this
Common UPSC angles: definition of a 'startup' (DPIIT recognition criteria), the FFS structure (FFS does not invest directly in startups but in SEBI-registered AIFs that do), and tax benefits under Section 80-IAC.
Latest from PIB
8 on this page- 31 Oct 2025Ministry of Commerce & Industry
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade Recognises 1,97,692 Startups Under Startup India Initiative
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) reported that 1,97,692 entities are recognized as startups under the Startup India initiative as of October 2025. The initiative implements key schemes like FFS (Rs. 10,000 cr corpus), SISFS (Rs. 945 cr corpus, launched 2021), and CGSS, offering fundin…
- 30 Mar 2025Ministry of Textiles
REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE OF TEXTILE WASTE
The Ministry of Textiles is actively pursuing initiatives for textile waste management, building on the Prime Minister's address on the issue in his Mann ki Baat on March 30, 2025. Key efforts include a study to map textile waste, the constitution of an ESG Taskforce, and facilitating pilot projects for circularity. A…
- 30 Sept 2024Ministry of Statistics &
Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprise
The National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI conducted the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2023-24 to measure economic characteristics of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments. The survey, which covered manufacturing, trade, and services (excluding construction), estimated 7.34 c…
- 25 Jun 2024Ministry of Commerce and Indust
DPIIT signs MoU with Hero MotoCorp to Support and Scale Early-Stage Startups
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has signed an MoU with Hero MotoCorp. This partnership, part of the 'Startup India' initiative, aims to support early-stage startups focusing on future mobility, clean technology, and deep technology. Startup…
- 15 Jun 2024Department of Science and Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: RURAL AGRI-TECH STARTUPS AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
This PIB release details government initiatives supporting rural agri-tech startups and women entrepreneurs. Key programs include DST's NIDHI-PRAYAS, WEDP, and SUNIL, alongside DPIIT's Startup India scheme. These initiatives offer financial, mentoring, and ecosystem support to foster innovation and entrepreneurship at…
- 15 Jun 2024Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Strengthening DeepTech Ecosystem and Building an Innovation-Led Economy
Union Minister Piyush Goyal held a roundtable in Bengaluru with DeepTech startups and VCs to discuss strengthening India's innovation ecosystem. The discussions covered aligning DeepTech growth with Viksit Bharat @2047 goals, fostering domestic capital, and addressing policy issues such as extending Startup India benef…
- 7 Jun 2024Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Multiple initiatives taken by the Government to simplify and facilitate the registration of start-ups, including in small and medium cities
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs outlined government initiatives to simplify startup and company registration, responding to a question in Rajya Sabha. Measures include digitizing the Startup India recognition process via the Startup India portal and National Single Window System, simplifying documentation through sel…
- 28 May 2024Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
MNRE Launches ₹2.3 Crore Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge to Accelerate Rooftop Solar and Distributed Renewable Energy Innovations
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched an Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge for Rooftop Solar and Distributed Renewable Energy technologies. This national challenge aims to foster innovation in the green energy sector, offering a total prize pool of ₹2.3 crore and incubation support for selec…
Frequently asked
- What is the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)?
- A ₹10,000 crore fund managed by SIDBI that invests in SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn invest in startups. FFS does not invest directly in startups.
- What qualifies as a startup for DPIIT recognition?
- An entity incorporated as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Partnership Firm, up to 10 years old from incorporation, with annual turnover not exceeding ₹100 crore in any financial year, and working towards innovation, development or improvement of products/services.
- What is the tax benefit under Section 80-IAC?
- DPIIT-recognised eligible startups can claim a 100% deduction of profits and gains for any 3 consecutive financial years out of their first 10 years.
Related schemes
See all →Last updated 9 May 2026.