The number of registered startups has reached 1.76 lakh in the last 11 years, with 118 unicorns (startups with $1 billion valuation and above), thus fueling youth entrepreneurship, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.
In a post on social media platform X, the Finance Minister said that "youth in India are building startups and creating jobs".
This is "a glimpse of the work done for the youth in the last 11 years under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi", she posted.
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said in a separate X post that in the last 11 years, seven new IITs have been opened, along with eight new IIMs and 16 new AIIMS.
"1.6 crore+ youth trained under PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana) and 17.6 lakh+ direct jobs created from 1.6 lakh startups. Nearly 30,000 vocational education schools established, with more than 30 lakh students enrolled," the minister said.
In the last 11 years, "52.5+ crore collateral free Mudra loans disbursed to small businesses and up to Rs 33 crore loans worth Rs 1 lakh+ crore given. Under the PM Internship Scheme, internship opportunities were provided to 1 crore youth in the top 500 companies. About 490 new universities were established to spread higher education in every corner of the country", Puri mentioned.
Last month, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, notified the expansion of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), which increases the ceiling on guarantee cover per borrower from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore.
According to the government, the extent of guarantee cover provided has also been increased to 85 per cent of the amount in default for loan amounts up to Rs 10 crore and 75 per cent of the amount in default for loan amounts exceeding Rs 10 crore.
In line with PM Modi's vision for transforming India into an innovation-driven self-reliant economy, the notified expansions aim to address the financing needs of innovation-driven startups. The expanded scheme will further reduce the perceived risks associated with lending to startups in established financial institutions, enabling greater financial flow and runway for startups to undertake research and development experimentation, and create cutting-edge innovation and technologies.
CWG 2026: Preeti, Jaismine, Sakshi, Sachin win as India rule boxing ring with seven gold
Indian boxing scripted history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on Saturday by bagging seven gold medals — the highest-ever gold haul for the country in the competition.
Five NE states record below-normal monsoon rainfall in June-July despite widespread floods
Even as several Northeastern states were battered by heavy rains, floods and landslides during July, five of the region's eight states recorded below-normal monsoon rainfall so far due to weak rain-bearing systems over the Bay of Bengal, the absence of active monsoon troughs and the influence of El Nino, India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said on Saturday.
Blood donation movement witnessing a renaissance in Tripura: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that there is currently a renaissance in the blood donation movement in the state. Along with creating a sense of spirituality through blood donation, a sweet bond is developed between the blood donor and the recipient.
Residents allege irregularities in Dharmanagar–Kailashahar road repair work, seek official inquiry
Allegations of irregularities have surfaced in the ongoing maintenance work on the Dharmanagar–Kailashahar road, with local residents claiming that the project is not being executed in accordance with the approved work order. They have urged the authorities to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.
Sports Minister inspects construction of youth hostel in Kailashahar
Tripura Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy on Saturday inspected the ongoing construction of a 200-bed Youth Hostel at Ward No. 14 of the Kailashahar Municipal Council in Unakoti district. Senior officials of the concerned department accompanied the minister during the visit.
Infant found dead in well in North district
A pall of grief and shock has descended on North Gopalpur village in North Tripura district after the body of a 12-day-old baby girl was recovered from a well early on Saturday morning.
Ahmedabad to officially receive Commonwealth Games Flag, Host Baton at Glasgow closing ceremony
Ahmedabad's preparations to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games will formally begin on Sunday when the city receives the Commonwealth Games flag and the Host Baton during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
AGMC to be top medical, research centre in NE: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday said the state government is working relentlessly to transform the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital into one of the best medical education, research and super-speciality healthcare institutions in Northeast India, while strengthening the state’s overall healthcare ecosystem.