India, Dec. 2 -- India's startup ecosystem continues to expand at a rapid pace, with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognising 1,97,692 startups under the Startup India initiative as of October 2025.

As per a written reply tabled in the Lok Sabha by commerce minister Piyush Goyal, the world's third largest startup ecosystem has created over 21.11 Lakh direct jobs so far.

In this, Maharashtra continues to lead on this front with 34,444 DPIIT-recognised startups in the state having generated more than 3.76 Lakh direct jobs.

As of October 2025, 4,147 startups have received certificates of eligibility under Section 80-IAC, which allows them to claim deduction for three consecutive assessment years. The...