‘Proof of PM Modi's pathbreaking initiative is the over 2 lakh startups generating over 21 lakh job opportunities,' says Piyush Goyal

Minister Piyush Goyal said that India’s Startup India initiative has completed a decade, with more than 2 lakh startups recognised so far and over 21 lakh jobs generated across the country. 

Piyush Goyal describes Startup India as a “pathbreaking initiative” of PM Modi

In a post on X, Goyal described Startup India as a “pathbreaking initiative” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that enabled India to “dream big and act bigger”.

He said the success of the programme did not just reflect in numbers but also in its wider social impact. 

“What makes this success sweeter is that it has unlocked the spirit of enterprise in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and empowered our youth and women,” Goyal said. 

Marking National Startup Day, the Union Commerce Minister said the 10-year journey of Startup India showcased “consistency, inclusivity and growth”, while also promising a bright future for India’s startup ecosystem.

He added that over 50 startups are recognised in the country every day. Piyush Goyal further claimed that the initiative has helped innovators turn ideas into enterprises through timely and agile policy interventions aimed at making the ecosystem robust and business-friendly.

He said the government has been encouraging innovation to help startups scale, for opening global trade partnerships and to expand internationally and create global impact. 

It is a decade to the @StartupIndia revolution.

A bold step that enabled India to DREAM BIG & ACT BIGGER!

The proof of the stellar success of PM @NarendraModi ji's pathbreaking initiative is the over 2 lakh @DPIITGoI recognised startups in the country that have generated over… pic.twitter.com/8nOcRRp7W9

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 16, 2026

What is Startup India?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a programme on Friday to mark a decade of the Startup India initiative and interact with members of India’s startup ecosystem.

Select startup founders will share insights from their entrepreneurial journeys, and PM Modi will address the gathering, an official statement said. 

The event, scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam at 1 pm, will bring together startup founders, innovators, and key stakeholders from the country's rapidly expanding startup ecosystem. 

Startup India was launched on January 16, 2016, as a national programme to nurture innovation, promote entrepreneurship and enable investment-driven growth, to make India a nation of job creators rather than job seekers. 

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