New Delhi, Dec. 2 -- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday said that the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had recognised 1,97,692 entities as startups under the Startup India initiative as of October 2025.

Of these, 4,147 startups have received eligibility certificates under Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act, allowing a three-year tax deduction on profits from eligible business activities.

According to government data, recognised startups have collectively reported the creation of over 21.11 lakh direct jobs nationwide, with Maharashtra accounting for 34,444 entities generating more than 3.76 lakh jobs.

Nearly half (48 per cent) of all startups have...