Startup India: Indian youth focused on solving real problems, says PM Modi

January 16, 2026

New Delhi: The Indian youth is focused on solving real problems, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while celebrating the milestone of 10 years of the Startup India mission on Friday. Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, PM Modi lauded the country’s startup founders and innovators who charted a path for themselves and boosted India’s image globally.

“India’s youth are focused on solving real problems. Driven by innovation and enterprise, India’s startups are shaping a self-reliant and resilient economy,” the Prime Minister said.

India now world’s third-largest startup ecosystem

“In just 10 years, the Startup India Mission has become a revolution. Today, India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem,” he added. He noted that a decade ago, there were fewer than 500 startups in the country.

“Today, that number has soared to over 2,00,000. In 2014, India was home to just four unicorns, but now it boasts more than 125 active unicorns. This remarkable growth has captured the world’s attention,” the Prime Minister said.

Startups driving innovation across sectors

These startups work in over 50 areas, including deep tech, space tech, drone tech, quantum tech, agritech, and AI/ML, among others. He said startups are now becoming unicorns, and existing unicorns are launching IPOs and creating several jobs in the country.

“I see before me the future of a new and emerging India,” he said, while appreciating those who showed the courage to dream.

From limited opportunity to an open sky

Recalling the situation a decade ago, PM Modi said there was little scope for individual effort and innovation. “We challenged those circumstances, we launched Startup India, and we gave the youth an open sky, and today the result is in front of us,” he said.

“This 10-year journey is not just the story of a government initiative’s success; it is the journey of thousands and lakhs of dreams like yours. It is the journey of countless dreams coming to life,” he added.

Inclusive growth beyond big cities

The Prime Minister said that earlier startups were often seen as a path to failure and were largely limited to children from affluent families. However, the Startup India programme enabled youth in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, as well as villages, to dream and build enterprises, leading to inclusive growth.

Women play key role in Startup India

“Women are major contributors to the Startup India mission. In about 45 per cent of recognised startups, there is one woman director or partner. India now has the second-largest global ecosystem for women-led startup funding,” he said.

Focus on manufacturing and world-class products

“Over the past decades, we have done quite remarkable work in digital startups and the service sector. Now is the time for our startups to focus even more on manufacturing. We will have to create new products. We will have to create products of the world’s best quality,” PM Modi said.

“In technology, too, we will have to take the lead by working on unique ideas. The future belongs to this. I assure you, the government stands with you in every effort of yours,” he added.