Vikasith Bharat—Startup Ecosystem in India

The "Start-up India, Stand Up India" program, launched by the Indian government in 2016, is integral to achieving Vikasit Bharat, aimed at transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. The initiative focuses on inclusivity, innovation, job creation, and easing compliance requirements. It promotes innovation via hackathons, incubators, and partnerships while improving access to finance through tax incentives and venture capital. With 159,000 recognized companies and over 112 unicorns, India has the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, following the US and China, covering sectors like fintech, edtech, agritech, healthtech, and artificial intelligence. However, Indian startups encounter challenges that affect their sustainability and global competitiveness. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges within the Indian startup ecosystem