India, Dec. 16 -- Taking cues from some of the most dramatic conundrums, meltdowns and discords of the recent past, Inc42's 2025 Year In Review would be incomplete if it skipped the commotion that has defined the year so far.

What unfolded during the year wasn't just a series of isolated controversies, but a pattern of moments that exposed where India's startup ecosystem continues to stumble.

Unlike 2023, which grappled with governance issues, or 2024, a year dominated by FIRs, heists, courtroom drama and founder-investor brawls, 2025 has been the year of full-blown public meltdowns and regulatory flashpoints. Founders, regulators, platforms and the public collided in real time.

What makes 2025 distinct is the speed and scale at which ...