India, April 8 -- Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal's recent remarks at the Startup Mahakumbh offer a timely and necessary critique of India's startup ecosystem. While acknowledging and applauding the remarkable growth and innovation within the sector, Goyal urged startups to shift their focus from low-value ventures like food delivery and hyper-fast logistics to high-impact sectors such as semiconductors, robotics, and deep-tech.

This call for introspection is not only valid but essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of India's entrepreneurial landscape.

India's startup ecosystem has undeniably achieved significant milestones. In 2025, startups raised $2.5 billion in Q1 alone, marking a...