India has 785 districts and the government has ambitious plans for each. The government aims to have at least one startup registered in each district by 2025. Data shows that only 20-25 districts do not have a single startup. So, this target looks promising. This initiative is led by Department of Promotion of Indian Industry and Trade (DPIIT) and is expected to be a game changer for the economic landscape of India.
Till March 31, 2023, there were over 100 districts which did not have any DPIIT-certified startups. Thanks to persistent efforts of various stakeholders, today the number has come down significantly. The remaining districts are in remote parts of North-Eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Sikkim. Certain Left-wing extremism-plagued districts in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana also have no startups.
Startups are business entities that act as catalysts for economic growth and innovation. The Startup India Centre scheme aims to foster entrepreneurship by identifying over 100,000 startups. The scheme also aims to create employment opportunities. Startups encourage local innovation, increase employment and contribute to the local economy.
It must be noted that reaching the last mile is always difficult. It is tough in the North-eastern states and areas affected by left-wing extremism. The challenges stem from security concerns and geopolitical issues. Locals also face lack of awareness. Moreover, creation of new districts further complicates the task. The number of districts in Rajasthan has surged from 33 to more than 50. This has added another target to the effort.
To this end, DPIIT is now partnering with academic institutions, state and district administrations to accelerate existing startups, which is essential in a region where entrepreneurship is less well known.
