Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 16, 2026, addressed a mega event in New Delhi marking a decade of the Startup India initiative, which was officially launched on January 16, 2016. He lauded the program as a 'revolution' and highlighted the significant contributions of India's youth and entrepreneurs in addressing real-world challenges. Modi stated that India has emerged as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, growing from a nascent stage to now boasting over 200,000 recognized startups and more than 125 active unicorns. The Prime Minister emphasized a cultural shift where risk-taking is embraced, particularly by youth in tier-2, tier-3 cities, and even rural areas who are setting up their ventures. He also noted the increasing inclusivity, with 45% of recognized startups having at least one woman director or partner. The event served as a platform to celebrate the collective efforts of entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers who have fostered a thriving innovation ecosystem in India. Separately, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that 80% of Indian startups are now AI-led, underscoring a strong focus on advanced technologies within the ecosystem.