• Sonali Agarwal

The Digital India initiative, launched in 2015, has played a transformative role in India’s startup ecosystem by enhancing digital infrastructure, fostering e-governance, and promoting digital entrepreneurship. This paper examines how Digital India has contributed to the rapid growth of startups, enabling them to scale efficiently through initiatives such as UPI, IndiaStack, BharatNet, and Skill India. With over 85,000 registered startups as of 2024, India now boasts the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. The initiative has facilitated financial inclusion, regulatory reforms, and digital literacy, creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurial success. Key sectors benefiting from Digital India include FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, and AgriTech, where startups have leveraged digital tools to innovate and expand. The availability of high-speed broadband and digital payment solutions has enabled companies like Paytm, PhonePe, Byju’s, and Zerodha to thrive. Government-backed policies such as the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme have further lowered entry barriers, providing crucial funding support for early-stage ventures. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including the digital divide in rural areas, cybersecurity concerns, and regulatory bottlenecks. This paper also discusses how domestic venture capital has evolved, playing a crucial role in funding Indian startups and fostering long-term sustainability

Digital India, Startup, Artificial Intelligence, Unicorn

"The contribution of the Digital India initiative to India's startup ecosystem", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no.b544-b550, February-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502153.pdf

"The contribution of the Digital India initiative to India's startup ecosystem", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no. ppb544-b550, February-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502153.pdf