Which Indian states have the most startups?

DPIIT counts entities it has recognised as startups since Startup India began in January 2016. It does not say how many are still operating, and companies that never applied for recognition are not counted.

The figures side by side

How we got this number

1. Take DPIIT's State/UT-wise table of entities recognised as startups as on 30 June 2026, from its answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1446 (28 July 2026).
2. Rank states by count: Maharashtra 41,440, Karnataka 24,026, Uttar Pradesh 23,678, Delhi 22,336, Gujarat 21,019, Tamil Nadu 15,774.
3. Work out shares against the national 2,40,092: Maharashtra alone is about 17.3%, and the top six together about 62%.
4. Check the direction against DPIIT's earlier figure for 31 March 2026 (Maharashtra over 38,660; India over 2.23 lakh).

What this number does not tell you

• It is a count of recognitions since January 2016, not of startups still operating.
• Recognition is voluntary. Companies that never applied are not counted, and the count says nothing about size, revenue or funding.
• The reply gives the state as recorded by DPIIT; it does not say whether that is the registered office or where the team works.
• The total moves fast: from over 2.23 lakh on 31 March 2026 to 2,40,092 on 30 June 2026.

Sources

1. DPIIT, answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1446 (Startup India Initiative), 28th July, 2026LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1446. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 28TH JULY, 2026. … Startup India initiative was launched on 16th January 2016 … As on 30th June 2026, 2,40,092 entities have been recognised as startups by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). … a total of 24,026 entities have been recognized as startups by DPIIT from the State of Karnataka as on 30th June 2026. Such startups from the State of Karnataka have generated over 2.58 lakh direct jobs as on 30th June 2026. … The State/UT-wise details of entities recognized as startups by DPIIT as on 30th June 2026 are as under: … Delhi 22,336 … Gujarat 21,019 Haryana 12,482 … Karnataka 24,026 Kerala 9,092 … Maharashtra 41,440 … Tamil Nadu 15,774 Telangana 13,622 … Uttar Pradesh 23,678
2. DPIIT figures (commerce ministry statement) reported by Inc42, 18 Apr 2026 — the 31 March 2026 figures, for comparisonWith this, the total number of DPIIT-recognised startups in the country jumped to over 2.23 Lakh as of March 31, 2026 … Maharashtra led the list with over 38,660 recognised startups, followed by Karnataka with 22,600

Worked out by us: 17.3% (41,440 Maharashtra ÷ 2,40,092 India, 30 June 2026); 62% (41,440 + 24,026 + 23,678 + 22,336 + 21,019 + 15,774 = 1,48,273 for the top six states, ÷ 2,40,092).

Questions people ask

Which state has the most startups in India?

Maharashtra, with 41,440 DPIIT-recognised startups as on 30 June 2026, about 17.3% of India's 2,40,092.

How many startups are there in Karnataka?

24,026 DPIIT-recognised startups as on 30 June 2026, which DPIIT says have generated over 2.58 lakh direct jobs. The reply gives no city-wise count for Bengaluru.

How many startups are there in Delhi?

22,336 DPIIT-recognised startups as on 30 June 2026, fourth after Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.

How many startups are there in India in total?

2,40,092 entities had been recognised as startups by DPIIT as on 30 June 2026.

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This figure is from DPIIT's own release or a report quoting it. We recheck it quarterly. If you have a newer or better source, send it to us.