Government Recognised Startups Exceed 180,000 Mark: MoS for Commerce and Industry

As of June 30, 2025, a total of 1,80,683 entities have been recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada told Parliament that the figure has grown from about 500 in 2016. 

Recognition under this initiative allows startups to access certain fiscal benefits, including income tax exemptions announced under the Startup India action plan.

Government Support Framework

The government runs 3 key schemes for startups, the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS). These are for providing funding support across various stages of business operations.

Under the FFS, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) receive government contributions which are then invested in startups. By June 30, 2025, AIFs supported through the scheme had invested ₹23,679 crore in 1,282 startups.

Seed Funding Allocations

Through the SISFS, seed-stage startups can get financial assistance via incubators. As of the same date, 2,942 startups had been selected for approved funding totalling ₹522.42 crore. The funds are meant for early-stage needs such as product development and initial market entry.

Read more: Government Launches ₹2.3 Crore Startup Scheme to Boost Rooftop Solar Installations!

Loan Guarantees for Startups

The CGSS provides guarantees for loans taken by startups to make borrowing easier. By June 30, 289 loans amounting to ₹667.85 crore had been guaranteed under this scheme.

In another update, Prasada said 697 products had been granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags as of August 1, 2025. This includes 658 products from India and 39 from abroad. There are 659 GI applications pending with the registry.

Conclusion

India’s official startup count has crossed 1.8 lakh, supported by funding, loan guarantees, and other measures under government schemes, alongside continued recognition of GI-tagged products.

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