Chandigarh 22 January 2026:
Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora informed that Punjab has once again been recognised as a “Top Performer State” in Category A in the 5th edition of the State Startup Ranking conducted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India. This marks the second consecutive time the State has achieved this distinction, underscoring Punjab’s sustained progress in building a robust and dynamic startup ecosystem.
He further said that the State Startup Ranking exercise, undertaken by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, aims to encourage States and Union Territories to adopt proactive reforms to strengthen startup ecosystems. In the current edition, 34 out of 36 States and UTs participated, reflecting India’s growing national focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. The ranking framework categorises States and UTs into five groups—Best Performer, Top Performer, Leader, Aspiring Leader, and Emerging State. The assessment period covered 1 January 2023 to 31 October 2024, evaluating performance across six key reform areas critical to startup ecosystem growth.
Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the dynamic guidance of Industries and Commerce Minister Sanjeev Arora, Punjab has prioritised a progressive and enabling policy environment for startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Through Startup Punjab, the State Nodal Agency for Startups headed by Ms. Surabhi Malik, IAS, Director Industries and Commerce and State Startup Nodal Officer, Punjab has consistently participated in the DPIIT ranking exercise and demonstrated steady advancement over successive editions. Sh. K.K. Yadav, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Department of Industries & Commerce and Investment Promotion, congratulated the Startup Punjab team on this prestigious achievement.
Punjab’s performance across DPIIT State Startup Ranking editions:
Edition -State Startup Ranking Framework (SRF) – Category Achieved
1st Edition-SRF 2018- Emerging Startup Ecosystem
2nd Edition-SRF 2019- Aspiring Leader State
3rd Edition-SRF 2020- Leader State
4th Edition-SRF 2022- Top Performer State
5th Edition-SRF 2024- Top Performer State
This consistent upward trajectory reflects Punjab’s long-term commitment to startup development, policy continuity, and ecosystem strengthening. Key areas contributing to Punjab’s strong performance include infrastructure support, enhanced funding opportunities, and a clear focus on innovation and sustainability, he added.
Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora highlighted that the State, through Startup Punjab, provides substantial financial incentives to startups, including a seed grant of ₹3 lakh, interest subsidy on loans, and lease rental reimbursement. During the ranking consideration period, over 200 starups have been funded, significantly strengthening entrepreneurial activity across sectors. At present, more than 2,000 startups from Punjab are registered with DPIIT, reflecting growing confidence in the State’s startup-friendly ecosystem.
The Certificate of Appreciation was presented by the Director, Startup India to the Startup Punjab team. This recognition highlights the proactive policies, effective implementation, and strong collaborative approach adopted by the Government of Punjab.
He said that the achievement is the result of collective efforts by Startup Punjab and the wider startup ecosystem, including incubators, accelerators, academic institutions, industry bodies, investors, mentors, and partner organisations. The Government of Punjab reiterated its commitment to further strengthening the ecosystem through continued policy support, infrastructure development, funding facilitation, and mentorship initiatives, with the objective of positioning Punjab as a leading hub for startups and innovation in India.
