JAMMU, JANUARY 16: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said India’s startup ecosystem has undergone a remarkable transformation, propelling the country into the top three globally in terms of the number of startups. Addressing a startup camp organised by the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine in Jammu, the Minister said the growth reflects a decisive shift in how entrepreneurship is being nurtured across the country.
Highlighting the scale of change, Singh noted that India has moved from just 350–400 startups a few years ago to more than two lakh today. This rapid rise, he said, is evidence of the enabling environment created in recent years and the vast untapped potential among India’s youth. According to him, talent always existed but lacked the right direction and institutional support to flourish.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district as the birthplace of the Purple Revolution, the Minister said the initiative has become one of the most recognisable success stories under the Startup India movement. What began as a local innovation has now earned national recognition, with its impact being celebrated across the Himalayan belt. From Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Singh said, the Purple Revolution has emerged as a shared symbol of grassroots entrepreneurship.
The Minister emphasised that the region is steadily evolving into a new hub of entrepreneurship, particularly for youth, with agriculture playing a central role. He observed that startups are no longer limited to the information technology sector, as agriculture offers vast and largely unexplored opportunities. India’s long coastline and diverse agro-climatic zones, he added, further expand the scope for innovation-driven enterprises.
Tracing the turning point to the launch of Startup India and Standup India initiatives in 2014 under the leadership of Narendra Modi, Singh said these programmes removed long-standing confusion and hesitation around entrepreneurship. Once institutional backing, policy clarity and financial support were extended, aspiring innovators responded with confidence and speed.
Stressing inclusive growth, the Minister pointed out that nearly half of India’s startups now originate from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, effectively challenging the perception that innovation is confined to metropolitan centres like Bengaluru, Mumbai or Hyderabad. He also dispelled the notion that advanced academic qualifications are essential for entrepreneurship, noting that many successful startups are being run by individuals without formal degrees.
Citing the lavender initiative as a model of practical innovation, Singh explained that its success was anchored in on-the-spot distillation units, strong market linkages and access to markets as distant as Mumbai. He reiterated that the government is providing comprehensive support, including technology, finance and market access, to ensure sustainability of such ventures.
The Minister also highlighted the rising participation of women entrepreneurs, noting that between 60,000 and 65,000 of the country’s startups are women-led. The Purple Revolution, he said, has helped dismantle several stereotypes by demonstrating that leadership is not confined to scientists, men or metropolitan locations.
Calling for stronger mentorship and early guidance, Singh said the talent pool in small towns and rural areas is immense. With timely handholding and direction, he added, young innovators, particularly girls, can achieve remarkable success. He cited the Vigyan Jyoti scheme as an example of how early exposure and mentorship can shape future leaders in science and entrepreneurship.