Over 1 lakh of 2.12 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry told Parliament on 17 March 2026 that 1,02,054 of the 2,12,283 startups recognised by DPIIT as on 31 January 2026 have at least one woman director or partner.
Summary
DPIIT-recognised startups numbered 2,12,283 as on 31 January 2026, and 1,02,054 of them have at least one woman director or partner, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 17 March 2026. Of the recognised startups, 6,789 are listed as closed (dissolved or struck off) by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Under the Fund of Funds for Startups, run by SIDBI, supported Alternative Investment Funds have invested about ₹25,859 crore in startups, including about ₹2,995 crore in women-led startups since 2020. The Startup India initiative was launched on 16 January 2016.
Key facts
- Recognised startups
- 2,12,283 (as on 31 January 2026)
- With a woman director/partner
- 1,02,054
- Closed
- 6,789
- FFS investment
- About ₹25,859 crore; ₹2,995 crore in women-led startups
- FFS operated by
- SIDBI
- Startup India launched
- 16 January 2016
Practice MCQs 2 questions
As on 31 January 2026, how many entities had been recognised as startups by DPIIT?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2,12,283
A total of 2,12,283 entities had been recognised as startups by DPIIT as on 31 January 2026; 1,02,054 of them have at least one woman director or partner.
The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) under Startup India is operationalised by:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — SIDBI
FFS is operationalised by SIDBI, which provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds that invest in startups.