Startups add 1.66 mn jobs from 2016 to October 2024

Recognised startups created over 16.6 lakh direct jobs, significantly contributing to employment generation from 2016 to October 31, 2024, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said Wednesday.

The IT services industry leads with 2.04 lakh jobs, followed by healthcare & lifesciences with 1.47 lakh jobs, and professional & commercial Services with around 94,000 jobs, it said ahead of the StartUp India programme completing nine years on January 16.

With more than 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the DPIIT as of January 15, 2025, India is the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world with over 100 unicorns.


"By 2024, ₹11,148 crore was committed, catalyzing investments of ₹21,221.36 crore in 1,165 startups," the DPIIT said regarding the Fund of Funds for Startups Scheme.

The department said it has entered into a strategic partnership with ITC Ltd to help startups in the manufacturing sector.