EconomyOn Track
Expand employment, self-employment and livelihood opportunities
Bharatiya Janata PartymediumOct 20260
Partially Donehigh confidenceEconomy
Expand the startup ecosystem and incubator network linked to higher-ed institutes
Bharatiya Janata Party · Lok Sabha General Election 2024
Last updated 8 Jul 2026
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Meaningful delivery has occurred, but the stated commitment is incomplete.
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Original manifesto wording
“We have successfully established Bharat among the top 3 Startup Ecosystems through various interventions ranging from Atal Tinkering Labs, Hackathon, Startup India and Start Up India Seed Fund Scheme. We will build upon this success and expand this ecosystem by making Bharat a preferred destination for startups, supported by robust investment, mentorship and a culture that celebrates entrepreneurial risk-taking. We will work with the private sector to expand the incubator network and link them with higher education institutes to promote entrepreneurship among our students.”
From the Bharatiya Janata Party manifestoView Manifesto
Our Assessment
The ecosystem has continued to expand strongly: DPIIT-recognised startups crossed 2.23 lakh by 31 March 2026, with 55,200+ added in FY2025-26 (the highest annual addition since Startup India launched in 2016), generating over 23 lakh direct jobs and spread across all states and UTs. Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 (continued to March 2028 with a Rs 2,750 crore outlay) deepens incubators (AICs), Atal Tinkering Labs and university/industry linkages, including industry accelerators and state innovation missions. The "preferred destination" and incubator-higher-ed linkage pledges are advancing but open-ended. Partial.
Sources & Evidence
Promise Timeline
31 Mar 2026
Recognised startups cross 2.23 lakh, with 55,200+ added in FY2025-26 (highest annual addition), generating over 23 lakh direct jobs.
View source25 Nov 2024
Union Cabinet approves continuation of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM 2.0) with a Rs 2,750 crore outlay till March 2028, expanding incubators and ecosystem support.
View sourceRelated Promises
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