Startups registration surged by over 200% in Nagaland: PM Modi

Women entrepreneurs lead the way

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 19 

The registration of Startups in Nagaland increased by more than 200% last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Sunday, while commending the growth of the ecosystem in India.

Addressing the nation in the 114th episode—and the first for 2025—of his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme, he noted that just a few days ago, Startup India Initiative completed nine years. 

He highlighted that the Startup culture is no longer confined to major cities, with over half of the startups in India now emerging from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Furthermore, he emphasised that more than half of these startups in smaller cities are led by women. Cities such as Ambala, Hisar, Kangra, Chengalpattu, Bilaspur, Gwalior, and Washim are becoming centres of startup activity, which, he said fills one’s heart with joy.
The Prime Minister highlighted that sectors like Waste Management, Non-Renewable Energy, Biotechnology, and Logistics are witnessing the highest number of startups.

These are not conventional sectors, he observed, adding that young entrepreneurs are thinking beyond traditional areas, which is leading to their success.

“In a state like Nagaland, the registration of Startups increased by more than 200% last year,” PM Modi said.

Nagaland’s status 

While the Prime Minister did not elaborate on the over 200% surge in registrations in Nagaland, data available elsewhere shows a significant rise in entities recognised as ‘startups’ in the State by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in the last two years.

A written reply from the Ministry of Commerce in the Rajya Sabha on February 2, 2024, stated that the number of Startups recognised in Nagaland increased from 2 to 7 between 2019 and 2021, but surged to 22 by 2023.

Additionally, the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 26, 2024, informed that out of 1,40,803 entities recognised as startups by DPIIT as of June 30, 2024, a total of 66 were from Nagaland.

This marked an exact 200% increase between December 31, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

According to data on startupindia.gov.in, accessed on January 19, 2025, the number has since increased to 83, confirming an over 200% rise from 2023, as cited by the Prime Minister. 

Out of these 83 entities, 47 are women-led startups or women entrepreneurs, while the key sector listed as ‘organic agriculture.’
With the objective of positioning Nagaland as a model startup leader in the region, among others, the state launched the dedicated Startup Nagaland website (https://www.startupnagaland.in/) on August 16, 2019.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Industries & Commerce as the Nodal Agency, aimed to facilitate the growth of "at least 500 startups in the next five years" while focusing on innovative ‘Made in Nagaland’ products and services.

As of January 19, 2025, the website indicates that over 327 startups have been registered under the initiative—falling short of the five-year target. However, the reliability of this data is questionable, as the ‘latest’ notification on the portal is dated January 24, 2024, suggesting the possibility of outdated information.

Nine years of Startup India

Meanwhile, on January 16, 2025, India celebrated nine years of the Startup India Initiative, which was launched to support entrepreneurs, build a robust startup ecosystem, and transform India into a nation of job creators rather than job seekers.

An official statement from the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry on the occasion informed that over 1.59 lakh startups have been recognised by DPIIT as of January 15, 2025.

India has firmly established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, the statement noted, adding that major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR have led this transformation. Simultaneously, smaller cities are increasingly contributing to the nation’s entrepreneurial momentum.

Among other topics, PM Modi's first Mann Ki Baat of 2025 also touched on the special 75th anniversary of the Indian Republic, BR Ambedkar, the Indian Constitution, the Election Commission and National Voters’ Day on January 25, the Maha Kumbh, achievements in the field of space, 'Haathi Bandhu' in Assam, Deepak Nabam’s spirit of service in Arunachal Pradesh, and the GI tagging of virgin coconut oil in the Nicobar district.
 



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