Startup India Marks a Decade: PM Modi Calls It a Youth-Led Economic Revolution

New Delhi | January 16, 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that India’s youth and entrepreneurs are no longer chasing comfort but are focused on solving real-world problems, turning the Startup India initiative into a full-fledged revolution. Addressing a mega event in New Delhi to mark 10 years of the flagship Startup India programme, the Prime Minister highlighted the dramatic transformation of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem over the past decade. Recalling the programme’s humble beginnings in 2014, Mr. Modi said India had just four startups at the time, while today the country boasts more than two lakh registered startups and over 125 active unicorns. He noted that India has emerged as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, driven by innovation, ambition, and confidence among young founders. The Prime Minister said the momentum of Startup India is now accelerating, with several unicorns launching initial public offerings and generating large-scale employment. He underlined that startups are playing a key role in building a self-reliant and resilient Indian economy, aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Highlighting social change within the ecosystem, Mr. Modi said entrepreneurship is no longer limited to metro cities. Youth from tier-2, tier-3 cities and even rural areas are launching their own ventures. He also pointed out that nearly 45% of startups today have at least one woman director or partner, reflecting growing inclusivity. Risk-taking, once discouraged, has now become mainstream, he said, adding that India’s youth is driven by bold ideas and refuses to operate within comfort zones. From Risk to Revolution: PM Modi Hails India’s Youth-Led Startup Surge Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India’s young innovators and entrepreneurs are driven by the goal of solving real-life challenges, transforming the Startup India initiative into a nationwide movement. Speaking at an event celebrating 10 years of Startup India, he described the journey as a shift from hesitation to bold experimentation. Highlighting India’s rapid rise, the Prime Minister said the country is now the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with the number of startups crossing two lakh. What began with just a handful of ventures in 2014 has today grown into a powerful engine of innovation, with more than 125 unicorns leading growth across sectors. Mr. Modi noted that the startup wave is no longer limited to big cities. Young entrepreneurs from tier-2, tier-3 towns and rural areas are launching businesses, creating jobs and strengthening the economy. He also underlined that nearly 45 per cent of startups now have women in leadership roles, marking a significant social change. He added that risk-taking, once seen as unconventional, has become the new norm for India’s youth. Confident, ambitious and unwilling to settle for comfort zones, startup founders are shaping a self-reliant and resilient India, he said.