India's Start-up Ecosystem Generates Nearly 25 Lakh Jobs; Start-ups Surge from ~350 to 2.3 Lakh

📌 Summary:

• Addressing the RISE Conclave 2026 in Bengaluru, Dr Jitendra Singh said India's start-up movement has created nearly 24–25 lakh jobs over the last decade
• Start-ups grew from ~350–400 (a decade ago) to nearly 2.3 lakh, making India the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem
• More than 50% of Indian start-ups now emerge from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
• The 2015 "Startup India" call laid the foundation; subsequent reforms opened strategic sectors to private participation
• RISE 2026 brought together over 125 start-ups and the four pillars — Research, Industry, Start-ups and Entrepreneurship — under the theme "Innovation & Entrepreneurship Driven Growth for Viksit Bharat 2047"

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Economy — innovation-led growth, employment generation, demographic dividend, and deep-tech entrepreneurship as drivers of a self-reliant economy.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• "Startup India" launched in 2015
• India is the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem (~2.3 lakh start-ups)

• 50% of start-ups emerge from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities; RISE Conclave 2026 held in Bengaluru

🔑 Key Term: Demographic dividend — economic growth potential from a rising share of working-age population, realised when matched with jobs and skills.