Category business

New Delhi, March 18: Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan has called for a long-term strategic roadmap for India’s food processing and nutraceutical sectors, stressing that the industry must align its growth with the country’s broader goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Speaking at “NutriBharat 2026: National Conference on the Role of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Strengthening Nutrition Security,” organised by ASSOCHAM on March 17, the minister urged stakeholders to set clear milestones for the short, medium and long term while working closely with policymakers and regulators.

Paswan emphasised the need for a structured roadmap for the next one year, five years and ten years, highlighting that collaborative efforts between industry, government and regulatory bodies will be essential to unlock the sector’s full potential.

 

“India has successfully moved from food scarcity to food security. The next frontier is nutrition security, ensuring that our future generations are healthy and free from malnutrition,” he said.

The minister noted that the food processing industry will play a critical role in strengthening the country’s nutrition ecosystem by ensuring the availability of safe, nutritious and high-quality food products. With rising consumer awareness around health and wellness, sectors such as nutraceuticals and functional foods are expected to emerge as key drivers of India’s food economy.

Paswan also stressed the importance of maintaining global standards and stringent quality control to safeguard India’s credibility in international markets. He warned that even a single rejected export consignment at a foreign port could undermine the reputation that Indian food exporters have built over decades.

Calling for higher industry accountability, he urged companies to prioritise quality assurance, innovation, and responsible manufacturing practices, while strengthening collaboration with regulatory authorities and research institutions.

Industry experts attending the conference highlighted that nutraceuticals and functional foods are increasingly becoming important tools for addressing malnutrition, lifestyle diseases, and micronutrient deficiencies. With India aiming to improve public health outcomes, the integration of food processing, nutrition science and regulatory frameworks is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the country’s long-term nutrition security goals.

The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and nutrition experts to discuss strategies for strengthening the nutraceutical ecosystem and advancing India’s food processing sector in line with national development priorities.

New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India has supported the establishment of a state-of-the-art fisheries training centre in Himachal Pradesh to strengthen aquaculture capacity and improve skill development in the fisheries sector.

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying approved a proposal from the Government of Himachal Pradesh during 2022–23 for the establishment of a State-of-the-Art Fisheries Training Centre at Gagret. The project was sanctioned at a total cost of ₹5.17 crore, with the project cost restricted to ₹5 crore for interest subvention under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), one of the designated nodal loaning entities under FIDF, sanctioned ₹5 crore to the Himachal Pradesh government for the project and has already disbursed the full sanctioned amount to facilitate its implementation.

The fisheries department is implementing several schemes nationwide aimed at holistic development of the fisheries sector across all states and union territories, including Himachal Pradesh. Key initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), being implemented from 2020–21 to 2025–26, the FIDF scheme covering the period 2018–19 to 2025–26, and the central sector sub-scheme of PMMSY, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), which runs from 2023–24 to 2026–27.

These programmes aim to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity by strengthening infrastructure, promoting technological adoption, improving post-harvest management systems, and modernising fisheries value chains. The schemes also focus on improving fishers’ livelihoods and enhancing welfare measures across the sector.

The government has also extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers since 2018–19, enabling them to meet working capital requirements and improve access to institutional credit for fisheries-related activities.

Data provided by the Himachal Pradesh government shows steady growth in fish production in key districts such as Kangra and Chamba over the past three years. Fish production in Kangra increased from 4,871.09 tonnes in 2022–23 to 5,480.62 tonnes in 2024–25, while Chamba recorded growth from 1,075.36 tonnes to 1,379.48 tonnes during the same period.

Overall fish production in Himachal Pradesh has also risen significantly in recent years. According to official figures, the state’s fish output increased from 13,745 tonnes in 2019–20 to 16,250 tonnes in 2025–26, reflecting steady expansion in aquaculture and fisheries activities.

Within this growth, Kangra district contributed around 2,850 tonnes of fish production, while Chamba district accounted for about 1,920 tonnes, highlighting the expanding aquaculture base in these regions.

The government believes that improved infrastructure, enhanced training facilities, and better access to institutional credit will further strengthen the fisheries ecosystem and support sustainable growth in fish production across the hill state.

This information was provided by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India has implemented a series of policy measures aimed at expanding institutional credit to the agriculture sector, with particular emphasis on underserved segments such as small and marginal farmers and allied activities including dairy, fisheries, and animal husbandry.

The initiatives are designed to improve access to affordable credit, strengthen rural financial institutions, and enhance agricultural productivity through increased financial inclusion in rural areas.

According to information shared in the Rajya Sabha by Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, the government sets annual Ground Level Credit (GLC) targets for agriculture and allied sectors, which banks are required to meet during each financial year.

These credit targets are allocated region-wise and agency-wise across institutions such as Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, and rural cooperative banks. Since the financial year 2021–22, the government has also introduced dedicated credit targets for allied agricultural activities to ensure focused financial support for sectors like dairy farming, fisheries, and animal husbandry.

The credit expansion strategy is also supported by regulatory norms under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) issued by the Reserve Bank of India. Under these guidelines, commercial banks—including Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks and primary urban cooperative banks—must allocate at least 18% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or credit equivalent of off-balance sheet exposures to agriculture.

Within this mandate, a sub-target of 10% has been earmarked specifically for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs), who account for a significant majority of India’s agricultural community. The PSL framework also includes incentive mechanisms to encourage higher credit flow to districts with lower lending levels while discouraging excessive concentration of credit in already well-served districts.

A key instrument supporting farmers’ access to credit is the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, which provides timely and affordable credit to farmers for purchasing agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, as well as meeting working capital needs. Since 2019, the scheme has also been expanded to cover working capital requirements related to animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries.

To further reduce borrowing costs for farmers, the government operates the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), under which farmers can access short-term crop loans at a concessional interest rate of 7% through Kisan Credit Cards. Farmers who repay their loans on time are eligible for an additional 3% incentive, effectively reducing the interest rate to 4%.

In another move to improve credit access, the collateral-free loan limit for short-term agricultural loans has been raised from ₹1.60 lakh to ₹2 lakh per borrower, effective January 1, 2025. The increase is expected to particularly benefit small and marginal farmers, who constitute over 86% of India’s farming community, by enabling easier access to formal credit without the need for collateral.

The government has also been strengthening rural infrastructure and financial ecosystems through institutional support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Funds allocated under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) are used to support infrastructure projects in rural areas, which in turn enhance credit absorption capacity in agriculture and allied sectors.

As part of the Union Budget 2025–26, the government also announced the launch of the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY). One of the key objectives of the scheme is to improve the availability of both long-term and short-term agricultural credit in districts where credit disbursement to the sector remains low.

Efforts are also underway to strengthen rural financial institutions such as cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks through technology upgrades and institutional reforms to improve their operational efficiency and outreach.

NABARD continues to play a central role in boosting credit flow to the agriculture sector. Under the RBI’s Lead Bank Scheme, NABARD prepares Potential Linked Credit Plans (PLPs) for each district every year to estimate the credit potential under priority sectors. These district-level plans are aggregated at the state level and used as the basis for setting annual credit targets for agriculture.

To support banks in meeting these targets, NABARD provides refinance assistance for both short-term and long-term agricultural lending. Short-term refinance is extended to institutions such as State Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks, and Small Finance Banks for crop loans and other agricultural lending activities.

Long-term refinance support is also provided to rural financial institutions, scheduled commercial banks, small finance banks, and non-banking financial companies to strengthen lending for agriculture and allied sectors.

In addition, NABARD offers concessional refinance under various specialised schemes supporting sectors such as micro food processing, animal husbandry infrastructure development, solar rooftop installations, aspirational districts, and initiatives like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission.

The government believes these coordinated policy interventions will strengthen the rural credit ecosystem, improve farmers’ access to affordable finance, and support sustainable agricultural growth across the country.

New Delhi, March 18: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has strengthened its regulatory oversight of digital lending platforms as part of broader efforts by the government and financial regulators to curb the proliferation of illegal mobile loan applications and enhance consumer protection in India’s fast-growing digital lending ecosystem.

The central bank had earlier constituted a working group to examine issues related to digital lending, including loans offered through online platforms and mobile applications. Based on the recommendations of the panel, RBI introduced comprehensive regulatory guidelines aimed at strengthening the framework governing digital lending activities and safeguarding borrowers.

Under the framework, all regulated entities (REs), including banks and non-banking financial companies, are required to comply with the digital lending guidelines issued by the RBI. Compliance with these rules is periodically assessed during supervisory evaluations, and any deviations identified are required to be rectified. In cases of serious non-compliance, the RBI may initiate supervisory or enforcement actions.

In parallel, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been empowered to block fraudulent digital loan applications under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, following due procedures outlined in the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.

Authorities have intensified coordinated efforts across ministries and agencies to prevent citizens from being exploited by unauthorised lending platforms, many of which operate through offshore entities or disguise themselves as legitimate financial service providers.

One of the key steps taken by the RBI includes the launch of a directory of Digital Lending Apps (DLAs) on its official website from July 1, 2025. The directory lists apps deployed by RBI-regulated entities and is intended to help customers verify whether a digital lending application is legitimately linked to a regulated financial institution.

The regulator has also been actively engaging with major internet intermediaries and messaging platforms to monitor the activities of unauthorised loan apps. Technology-driven vetting mechanisms and real-time enforcement systems have been introduced to detect and prevent the advertisement and circulation of fraudulent loan apps, particularly those originating from overseas operators.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has also been analysing digital lending applications to identify cybercrime patterns. To facilitate public reporting of such incidents, the government has launched the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and a dedicated cybercrime helpline number 1930.

Meanwhile, banks have been supporting public grievance mechanisms through platforms such as the SACHET portal, which enables citizens to lodge complaints against entities involved in illegal deposit-taking or unauthorised financial activities. State-level coordination committees among financial regulators further assist in monitoring and addressing such cases.

The RBI and banks have also intensified public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the risks associated with fraudulent lending apps. These campaigns include SMS alerts, radio outreach programmes, and digital banking awareness initiatives such as the e-BAAT training programme, which focuses on cyber fraud prevention and risk mitigation.

However, enforcement against illegal mobile applications ultimately falls under the jurisdiction of state governments. Under India’s constitutional framework, “Police” and “Public Order” are state subjects, making state law enforcement agencies primarily responsible for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of such crimes.

The central government continues to support states and union territories through advisories and financial assistance for capacity building of law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and financial fraud.

This information was shared by Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on March 17.

Why This Guide Matters for Italian Employers

Italy is increasingly attractive to international talent — from software engineers and healthcare professionals to financial analysts and specialized consultants. Yet many Italian companies and foreign businesses with Italian subsidiaries still struggle to navigate the legal framework for hiring non-EU workers legally and efficiently. The risks of non-compliance are concrete: fines up to €10,000 per worker, permit revocations, and potential criminal liability for directors.

The reform introduced by Legislative Decree 152/2023 — which transposed EU Directive 2021/1883 — significantly updated the EU Blue Card regime in Italy, cutting bureaucratic timelines and expanding access for both employed and self-employed highly qualified non-EU nationals. Understanding the employer’s role in this process is not optional: it is the prerequisite for any successful hire.

This compliance guide is designed for HR managers, legal officers, and business owners who need a structured overview of the steps, obligations, and risks involved. For a comprehensive analysis of the EU Blue Card requirements and procedure in Italy — including salary thresholds, contract duration rules, family reunification rights, and self-employment access — we recommend consulting the guide published by Damiani & Damiani International Law Firm.

1. Who Qualifies as a ‘Highly Qualified Worker’ under Italian Law?

Before initiating any hiring procedure, the employer must verify that the candidate meets the eligibility criteria established by the reformed Blue Card regulation. Non-compliance at this stage invalidates the entire application.

Academic and Professional Requirements

• University degree (Bachelor’s or higher), including foreign qualifications if officially recognized in Italy
• Alternatively: at least 5 years of documented professional experience in a relevant sector
• For IT and regulated professions: sector-specific certifications may substitute or supplement formal degrees

Minimum Salary Thresholds (2026)

Category	Salary Multiplier	Approx. Annual Gross
Standard	1.5x national average	~€35,000
Shortage Sectors	1.2x national average	~€28,000

Shortage sectors — officially listed quarterly by the Ministry of Labour — currently include IT, healthcare, engineering, and specialised tourism. Bonuses, overtime, and benefits are excluded from the salary calculation. Only gross base pay counts toward the threshold.

⚠️ Compliance Alert The salary must be contractually guaranteed, not conditional. Variable or commission-based components that could fall below the threshold will result in application rejection.

2. The Employer’s Role in the Blue Card Application Process

Unlike other visa categories where the worker applies directly, the EU Blue Card application in Italy is employer-initiated. The hiring company is the primary applicant before the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (SUI) — the unified immigration desk at the prefecture level.

Step-by-Step Employer Obligations

• Step 1 — Prepare the offer: Draft a compliant employment contract specifying role, salary, and contract duration (minimum 6 months under the new regulation).
• Step 2 — Submit to SUI: File the application with certified documentation (employment contract, candidate’s qualifications, salary declaration, company registration).
• Step 3 — Await Nulla Osta: The SUI issues a ‘nothing prevents’ clearance within a maximum of 20 working days for document review, and 90 days total for full Blue Card release.
• Step 4 — Forward to candidate: Send the Nulla Osta to the worker abroad. It is valid for 6 months from issuance.
• Step 5 — Post-arrival compliance: Notify SUI within 8 days of the worker’s arrival. Accompany or support the worker in collecting the permit at the Police Headquarters (Questura).

Total Estimated Cost for the Employer

Approximately €200 for the Nulla Osta, plus €100 for stamp duty. The entry visa (~€300) is the worker’s responsibility. Total employer outlay: ~€300 per application.

3. Contractual Compliance: What the Employment Contract Must Contain

The employment contract submitted to the SUI is a legal document that will be scrutinised. The following elements are mandatory and must be consistent with the Blue Card application form:

• Role title and description corresponding to the worker’s declared qualifications. A mismatch (e.g., hiring a biomedical engineer as an administrative assistant) is grounds for immediate rejection and potential sanctions.
• Gross annual salary explicitly stated, meeting or exceeding the applicable threshold.
• Contract duration of at least 6 months. Open-ended contracts are accepted and preferred.
• Place of work (city and address), relevant for work permit registration.
• Employer’s full legal details and VAT number (Partita IVA).

📋 Documentation Checklist for Employers ✓ Signed employment contract (original or digitally signed) · ✓ Company registration extract (Visura Camerale) · ✓ Employer’s declaration of salary and duties · ✓ Certified copy of worker’s degree (with apostille if non-EU) · ✓ Worker’s valid passport copy · ✓ DURC (social security compliance certificate for the employer)

4. Managing Job Changes and EU Mobility After Hiring

One of the most operationally relevant aspects of the reformed Blue Card is the increased flexibility for both workers and employers regarding job changes and cross-border mobility within the EU.

Changing Employer — Obligations and Timelines

A Blue Card holder can change employers after 12 months with the first company. As the original employer, your obligations end at termination of the contract, but there are notification duties:

• The worker must notify SUI within 30 days of signing the new contract.
• The new employer must guarantee the same salary threshold compliance.
• The Blue Card remains valid during the transition period (up to 6 months of unemployment are allowed).

EU Intra-Company Mobility

After 12 months of regular residence in Italy, a Blue Card holder can relocate to another EU member state for up to 3 months without additional bureaucracy. For longer periods, the worker applies for that country’s Blue Card with an accelerated procedure. This is a significant advantage for multinational employers managing international talent pools.

5. Employer Sanctions: What Happens if You Get It Wrong

Italian immigration law imposes direct liability on employers for violations of the Blue Card framework. Ignorance of the rules is not a valid legal defence. Key sanctions include:

• Fines up to €10,000 per worker for employing a non-EU national without a valid permit or with a non-compliant contract.
• Blue Card revocation if the employer fails to maintain the minimum salary threshold after hiring.
• Criminal liability for systematic violations or exploitation of non-EU workers (Article 22, Legislative Decree 286/98).
• Exclusion from public procurement for up to 2 years following repeated violations.

⚖️ Legal Reminder If a worker loses their job through no fault of their own, they have 6 months to find new qualifying employment. During this period, the employer’s obligations cease — but any unjustified early termination designed to circumvent Blue Card obligations may be scrutinised by authorities.

6. Special Cases: Self-Employed Non-EU Workers and Startups

The 2023 reform introduced a significant novelty: qualified non-EU self-employed professionals can now access the EU Blue Card framework in Italy. This opens a new pathway for companies that work with international freelancers or consultants, and for non-EU founders who want to establish their business in Italy.

Requirements for Self-Employed Blue Card Applicants

• Degree or 5+ years of professional experience in the relevant field.
• An approved business plan validated by the local Chamber of Commerce (CCIAA).
• Demonstrated minimum annual turnover of ~€28,000 (1.2x the national gross average).
• VAT number (Partita IVA) must be activated within 30 days of arrival in Italy.

Advantage for Innovative Startups

Founders under 40 who apply under the startup or innovative SME framework benefit from a 30% reduction in bureaucratic fees. Companies certified as ‘innovative startups’ by the Italian Business Register have access to simplified hiring channels for non-EU technical and scientific talent.

Frequently Asked Questions (Employer Edition)

Can a company of any size apply for the EU Blue Card?

Yes. There is no minimum company size requirement. A one-person SRL can sponsor a Blue Card application as long as it can demonstrate financial capacity to pay the required salary.

Does the worker need to be abroad when applying?

Yes. The Blue Card process requires the worker to obtain an entry visa from the Italian embassy in their country of residence, using the Nulla Osta issued to the employer. Applications cannot be converted from within Italy (with limited exceptions for existing permit holders).

What if our offer is in a ‘shortage sector’? How do we prove it?

The Ministry of Labour publishes a quarterly list of shortage occupations. To qualify for the reduced 1.2x salary threshold, the job offer must correspond to a role on that list. The employer must reference the relevant occupation code in the application.

Is an official translation of the worker’s degree required?

Yes. Foreign degrees must be accompanied by a certified Italian translation and, for non-EU documents, an apostille or consular legalization. The employer is not legally required to bear this cost, but it is advisable to include this in the onboarding support offered to the candidate.

Conclusion: Compliance as a Competitive Advantage

The reformed EU Blue Card framework represents a genuine opportunity for Italian companies to access international talent faster and more reliably than ever before. With bureaucratic timelines capped at 90 days and simplified salary thresholds for strategic sectors, the barriers to hiring qualified non-EU professionals have materially decreased.

However, the complexity of the application process — from document certification to SUI notification obligations and post-hiring compliance — means that legal guidance remains strongly advisable, particularly for first-time sponsors or companies managing multiple international hires simultaneously.

For detailed information on the full regulatory framework — including salary requirements, contract duration rules, family reunification rights, and the self-employment pathway — consult the complete guide on EU Blue Card requirements and procedure in Italy by Damiani & Damiani, an international law firm specialised in Italian immigration law with offices in Palermo, Turin, Athens, and Barcelona.

Regulatory References

• Legislative Decree No. 152 of 2023 (Blue Card Reform)
• EU Directive 2021/1883 on conditions of entry and residence for highly qualified third-country nationals
• Consolidated Immigration Law — Legislative Decree 286/1998 (as amended)
• Ministry of Labour quarterly shortage occupation list (www.lavoro.gov.it)

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Italian immigration lawyer.

New Delhi, March 17: The Union Cabinet has approved a centrally sponsored scheme titled Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses aimed at increasing domestic production of pulses and achieving self-sufficiency in the sector. The mission will be implemented over a six-year period from 2025–26 to 2030–31 with a total financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore.

The mission focuses on strengthening the pulses value chain by expanding cultivation, promoting improved seed distribution, and developing post-harvest infrastructure across the country.

Processing Units to Strengthen Post-Harvest Infrastructure

Under the post-harvest infrastructure component of the mission, the government has approved the establishment of 1,000 processing units (dal mills) during the mission period. In the first phase, a target of 528 processing units has been allocated to various states and Union Territories.

Among the states, Uttar Pradesh has received the highest allocation with 56 units, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 55, Bihar with 37, Maharashtra with 34, and Karnataka and Rajasthan with 30 units each. Other states such as Gujarat, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh have also been allotted processing units to strengthen local processing capacity.

Free Seed Kits to Expand Pulses Cultivation

To expand pulses cultivation, particularly in rice fallow areas and other diversifiable agricultural regions, the mission provides support through the distribution of free seed kits to farmers.

Under the programme, a total of 87.5 lakh seed kits are targeted for distribution over the six-year period based on the Annual Action Plans submitted by states and Union Territories. For the Rabi season of 2025–26, around 10.36 lakh seed kits have been allocated to states.

The tentative targets for seed kit distribution in the coming years include:

• 2026–27: 15 lakh kits

• 2027–28: 16.25 lakh kits

• 2028–29: 17.50 lakh kits

• 2029–30: 13.75 lakh kits

• 2030–31: 12.5 lakh kits

Focus Districts Identified for Pulses Clusters

To accelerate the mission’s implementation, 489 districts across the country have been identified as focused districts for developing pulses clusters. The list of districts may be modified in the future based on local requirements and evolving agricultural conditions.

Area Under Pulses to Expand by 35 Lakh Hectares

As part of the mission’s long-term strategy, the area under pulses cultivation is projected to increase by 35 lakh hectares by 2030–31. This includes 24.5 lakh hectares in traditional pulses-growing regions and 10.5 lakh hectares in non-traditional areas where pulses cultivation will be promoted.

The mission is expected to significantly enhance domestic pulses production, reduce dependence on imports, and improve farmers’ incomes through improved productivity and better post-harvest infrastructure.

New Delhi, March 17: A total of 2,12,283 entities have been recognised as startups under the Government of India’s flagship Startup India initiative as of January 31, 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem over the past decade.

Launched on January 16, 2016, the initiative aims to build a strong ecosystem that nurtures innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and encourages investment across sectors in the country.

According to data shared in Parliament, 1,02,054 recognised startups have at least one woman director or partner, indicating the growing participation of women in India’s startup ecosystem.

 

However, the government also noted that some startups have ceased operations. Data maintained by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) shows that 6,789 recognised startups have been categorised as closed (dissolved or struck-off). Among these, 2,950 startups had at least one woman director or partner.

The recognised startups are registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which oversees the Startup India initiative and maintains the recognition database.

Key Government Support Schemes

To support startups at different stages of their growth cycle, the government is implementing several flagship schemes under Startup India.

One of the major initiatives is the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), which aims to catalyse venture capital investment in Indian startups. The scheme is operationalised by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) that subsequently invest in startups.

As of January 31, 2026, AIFs supported under the scheme have invested around ₹25,859 crore in startups, including ₹2,995 crore in women-led startups since 2020.

Another major initiative is the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), which provides financial assistance to early-stage startups through incubators. Implemented from April 1, 2021, the scheme has approved around ₹592 crore in funding to selected startups, of which ₹294 crore has been allocated to women-led startups.

The government has also introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to facilitate debt financing for startups through eligible financial institutions. Operational since April 1, 2023, the scheme has guaranteed loans worth around ₹925 crore to startup borrowers, including ₹39 crore to women-led startups.

Startups Supported and Closure Data

Under the Fund of Funds for Startups, 1,382 startups have been selected for support, of which 17 are currently categorised as closed. Under the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, 3,311 startups have been supported, with 26 reported as closed. Meanwhile, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups has supported 281 startups, with one startup recorded as closed.

State-wise data also shows significant participation of women entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem across major states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

The information was shared by Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.