India Marks 10 Years of Startup India, Emerging as Third-Largest Global Ecosystem

India marked the 10th anniversary of the Startup India initiative on January 16, 2026, celebrating its growth into the world's third-largest startup ecosystem with over 200,000 recognised startups and 125 active unicorns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the youth's innovation, risk-taking, and focus on solving real problems, urging startups to lead in emerging domains like AI and manufacturing. The government emphasized policy reforms, increased funding, and expanded participation from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, with notable contributions from women entrepreneurs. Industry leaders acknowledged challenges but expressed optimism about India's evolving startup landscape and its role in economic growth and job creation.