It is the “highest number of startups” recognised in a single year since the launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement.
The initiative was launched on January 16, 2016, with an action plan comprising schemes and incentives aimed at creating an ecosystem for nurturing innovation, encouraging private investments, and supporting startups across the country.
So far, the number of recognised startups has crossed 2.23 lakh as of March 31.
These firms have generated more than 23.36 lakh direct jobs, the ministry said.
“The government has recognised more than 55,200 startups during 2025-26, marking the highest number of startups recognised in a single year since the launch of the Startup India initiative,” it said.
The government continues to support startups through flagship schemes, including the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), providing financial support at various stages.
Under FFS, more than Rs 7,000 crore has been disbursed to over 135 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) by the end of 2025-26, which have further invested more than Rs 26,900 crore in over 1,420 startups.
Building on this, the government has notified Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore.
The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups has been expanded in 2025-26 to enhance capital mobilisation by increasing the guarantee cover per borrower from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore, enhancing the extent of guarantee cover, and reducing the annual guarantee fee for lenders in identified sectors.
By the end of 2025-26, more than 410 loans amounting to over Rs 1,250 crore have been guaranteed.
The ministry said that under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, 219 incubators have been selected, and the entire corpus of Rs 945 crore has been committed.
These incubators have approved funding of over Rs 605 crore to more than 3,400 startups.
The scheme has been extended to enable continued disbursement and completion of approved activities, it said, adding that over 19,400 patent applications were filed by startups.
Patent filings increased from over 2,850 in 2024-25 to more than 4,480 in 2025-26.