India’s youth focused on solving real problems: PM

New Delhi, Jan 16: On the occasion of National Startup Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday addressed the programme marking a decade of the Startup India initiative at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister remarked that today everyone has gathered on a very special occasion, the celebration of National Startup Day, and in the presence of startup founders and innovators, who are the future of a new and developing India. He highlighted that just a short while ago he interacted with some of the participants working in agriculture, fintech, mobility, health, and sustainability, and stated that while their ideas impressed him, he was even more impressed by their confidence and ambitions.
Recalling that Startup India was started 10 years ago, Modi expressed satisfaction with the growth of the initiative and was happy to meet the youth. Emphasising that the most important aspect is the focus of India’s youth on solving real problems, Modi appreciated the young innovators who have shown the courage to dream new dreams.
The Prime Minister underlined that today marks the milestone of ten years of Startup India, and this journey is not merely the success story of a government scheme but the journey of millions of dreams and the realization of countless imaginations. He recalled that ten years ago there was little scope for individual efforts and innovation, but those circumstances were challenged and the Startup India program was launched, giving youth an open sky, and today the results are before the nation. “In just 10 years, the Startup India Mission has become a revolution. Today, India is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem”, exclaimed Modi.
He pointed out that ten years ago there were fewer than 500 startups in the country, while today the number has risen to more than 2 lakh. He noted that in 2014 India had only four unicorns, whereas today there are nearly 125 active unicorns, and the world is watching this success story with amazement. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that in the times ahead, when India’s startup journey is discussed, many of the young people present in the hall will themselves become bright case studies.
He further highlighted that the momentum of Startup India continues to accelerate, with today’s startups becoming unicorns, launching IPOs, and creating more and more jobs. He stated that in the year 2025 alone, nearly 44,000 new startups were registered, the largest increase in any single year since the beginning of Startup India, and these figures testify to how India’s startups are driving employment, innovation, and growth.
Expressing happiness that Startup India has given birth to a new culture in the country, Modi remarked that earlier, new businesses and ventures were largely initiated by children of big industrial families, as they alone had easy access to funding and support, while most middle-class and poor children could only dream of jobs. He highlighted that the Startup India program has changed this mindset, and now youth from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, even villages, are opening their own startups, attempting to solve the most pressing grassroots problems. He emphasized that this spirit of doing something for society and the nation holds immense value for him.
The Prime Minister noted that daughters of the country have played a major role in this transformation, with more than 45 percent of recognized startups having at least one woman director or partner. He emphasised on India becoming the world’s second-largest ecosystem in women-led startup funding, underlining that this inclusive momentum is further strengthening India’s potential.
Modi pointed out that today the nation sees its future in the startup revolution, and if asked why startups matter so much, there would be many answers: India is the world’s youngest country, India is the fastest-growing major economy, India is building world-class infrastructure, and new sectors are emerging—each of these facts being true. Yet, he stressed that what touches his heart most is the startup spirit, where India’s youth are unwilling to spend their lives in comfort zones or follow beaten paths, but instead want to carve out new routes for themselves, seeking new destinations and new milestones. He remarked that such new destinations are achieved only through the pinnacle of hard work, recalling a saying meaning that tasks are accomplished through enterprise, not merely by wishes.
Modi emphasized that courage is the first condition for enterprise, acknowledging the immense courage and risks the youth have taken to reach this stage. He noted that earlier risk-taking was discouraged in the country, but today it has become mainstream, and those who think beyond monthly salaries are not only accepted but respected. He stated that ideas once considered fringe are now becoming fashionable.
Emphasising his strong focus on risk-taking, Modi noted that it has long been his own habit. He remarked that the tasks which no one was willing to undertake, the issues avoided by governments for decades out of fear of losing elections or power, and those labeled as carrying high political risk, he has always considered his responsibility to accomplish. He stated that, like the innovators, he too believes that if something is necessary for the nation, someone must take the risk, and while any loss would be his, the benefit would reach millions of families.
The Prime Minister highlighted that in the past ten years, the country has built an ecosystem that promotes innovation. He added that Atal Tinkering Labs was established in schools to awaken the spirit of innovation among children, hackathons launched to encourage youth to solve national problems, and incubation centers created to ensure ideas do not die due to lack of resources.
Recalling that complex compliances, long approval cycles, and the fear of inspector raj were once the biggest hurdles to innovation, Modi added that which is why his government created an environment of trust and transparency. He noted that under the Jan Vishwas Act, more than 180 provisions have been decriminalized, saving valuable time for innovators to focus on their work rather than litigation. He added that startups now benefit from self-certification in many laws, and mergers and exits have been made easier.
“Startup India is not just a scheme, it is a rainbow vision connecting diverse sectors with new opportunities”, emphasised Modi. He pointed out that in defense manufacturing, startups could not even imagine competing with established players earlier, but through iDEX, new procurement pathways have been opened in strategic sectors. He remarked that the space sector, once closed to private participation, has now been opened, with nearly 200 startups working in this field and gaining global recognition. Similarly, the Prime Minister highlighted the drone sector, where outdated rules had long held India back, but reforms and trust in innovators have changed the landscape. He further stated that in public procurement, the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has expanded market access, with nearly 35,000 startups and small businesses onboarded, receiving around 5 lakh orders worth approximately Rs 50,000 crore. He added that startups, through their success, are opening new growth avenues across every sector.
The Prime Minister remarked that without capital, even the best ideas cannot reach the market, which is why their government has focused on ensuring access to finance for innovators. He highlighted that through the Fund of Funds for Startups, investments of more than Rs 25,000 crore have been made, while schemes such as the Startup India Seed Fund, IN-SPACe Seed Fund, and NIDHI Seed Support Programme are providing seed funding to startups. Shri Modi stated that to improve credit access, a Credit Guarantee Scheme has been launched so that lack of collateral does not become an obstacle to creativity.
Emphasising that today’s research becomes tomorrow’s intellectual property, Modi said to promote this, a Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme has been initiated, along with a deep tech fund of funds to support long-term investment in sunrise sectors.
The Prime Minister underlined the need to prepare for the future by working on new ideas in emerging domains that will play a crucial role in economic security and strategic autonomy, citing AI as a prime example. He noted that nations leading in the AI revolution will have greater advantage, and for India this responsibility lies with its startups. Mentioning that India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, Modi remarked that it was a great opportunity for the youth. He acknowledged challenges such as high computing costs, but stated that solutions are being provided through the India AI Mission, with more than 38,000 GPUs onboarded to make big technology accessible to small startups, while ensuring indigenous AI is developed by Indian talent on Indian servers. He added that similar efforts are underway in semiconductors, data centres, green hydrogen, and other sectors.
“India’s ambition should not be limited to participation but must aim for global leadership, urging startups to work on new ideas, solve problems”, stressed the Prime Minister. He remarked that in the past decades, India had its achievements in digital startups and service sectors and it was now time for startups to focus on the manufacturing sector. He called for the creation of new products of world-class quality and unique technological ideas to lead the future.
Modi assured that the government stands firmly with startups in every effort, expressing deep faith in their courage, confidence, and innovation, which are shaping India’s future. The Prime Minister concluded by remarking that the past ten years have proven the nation’s capabilities, and the goal for the next decade must be for India to lead the world in new startup trends and technologies.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal was present among other dignitaries at the event. (PIB)