BHASKAR Empowers Over 1.97 Lakh Startups Across India:

BHASKAR: India’s Ambitious Move to Map and Mobilize Its Startup Ecosystem

In a major leap towards building a digitally integrated, collaborative startup ecosystem, the Government of India has announced that 1,97,932 startups are now registered under the BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) initiative as of June 30, 2025. This was revealed by Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha query.

BHASKAR—currently in its pilot phase—is being positioned as a centralized digital registry and collaboration platform for startups and related entrepreneurial stakeholders across the country. With the ability to generate unique IDs for registered entities and offer microsites for startup schemes, the initiative is expected to unlock transformational value for India’s innovation economy.

What Is BHASKAR?

BHASKAR stands for Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry, and it is a digital platform under the Startup India initiative, designed to become a comprehensive repository and collaboration space for Indian startups, micro-entrepreneurs, incubators, academic partners, investors, and government agencies.

The platform has three primary goals:

1. Registry: Maintain an up-to-date and authenticated record of startups across States and Union Territories.

2. Integration: Serve as a central hub for scheme delivery, including financial and non-financial incentives.

3. Collaboration: Enable peer-to-peer interaction, partnerships, joint ventures, and mentorship among ecosystem participants.

1.97 Lakh Startups: A Diverse and Inclusive Spread

As per the official state-wise data released in Annexure-I, India’s startup ecosystem under BHASKAR is both widespread and rapidly evolving. Here are some highlights:

• Top Performing States by Registrations:

  • Maharashtra leads with 33,845 startups

  • Uttar Pradesh follows with 19,382

  • Delhi: 18,972

  • Gujarat: 17,370

  • Karnataka: 20,004

  • Tamil Nadu: 13,409

  • Telangana: 10,433

  • Haryana: 10,082

• Emerging Participation:

  • Kerala (7,634), West Bengal (6,607), and Rajasthan (7,226) demonstrate significant regional participation.

  • North-Eastern States, while smaller in numbers, are actively engaging—Assam (2,021), Manipur (236), and Meghalaya (95).

  • Even Union Territories like Andaman & Nicobar Islands (97), Chandigarh (678), and Puducherry (211) are contributing to the nation’s startup momentum.

This spread clearly illustrates India's pan-national entrepreneurial awakening, cutting across geography, size, and socio-economic landscapes.

Pilot Phase: Testing Key Capabilities for Long-Term Impact

While BHASKAR is still in its pilot implementation stage, the Ministry is actively testing several advanced features. These include:

• Unique Personalized IDs: These are assigned to stakeholders across categories like startups, incubators, accelerators, mentors, investors, etc.

• Microsite Integration: Each registered entity may soon have access to scheme-specific microsites, providing them a customized dashboard for central and state-level startup support schemes.

• Peer-to-Peer Collaboration Tools: The platform is being designed to foster real-time dialogue, partnership formations, knowledge sharing, and access to talent and technology.

• Scheme Management Engine: BHASKAR will help in the implementation, monitoring, and delivery of benefits under various Startup India schemes and other government programs.

Outreach Across India: Building Ecosystem Participation

To ensure inclusivity and relevance, the Government is conducting a series of outreach and awareness programs in collaboration with State Startup Nodal Agencies and other partners. These programs are designed to:

• Gather feedback from startups and micro-enterprises

• Onboard incubators, accelerators, and educational institutions

• Spread awareness through events, workshops, hackathons, and digital campaigns

• Enable digital registration assistance for first-time entrepreneurs, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities

This proactive outreach is crucial for onboarding early-stage, rural, and women-led startups, ensuring that BHASKAR doesn't become just a registry, but a living, breathing network of Indian entrepreneurship.

Why BHASKAR Matters to Indian MSMEs and Startups

India’s startup ecosystem has evolved rapidly—from just 400 startups in 2014 to over 1.97 lakh entities today registered under BHASKAR. However, many micro and small startups continue to face challenges such as:

• Limited access to funding and mentorship

• Lack of visibility and discoverability

• Fragmented access to schemes and support mechanisms

• Difficulty in cross-sector and cross-region collaboration

BHASKAR is designed to bridge these gaps by offering:

• Visibility: Startups can be discovered by investors, incubators, and corporates across sectors and geographies.

• Trust: Verified BHASKAR IDs can serve as digital reputational tools when applying for grants, credit, or partnerships.

• Access: One-stop access to Government of India and State-level schemes including financial support, tax benefits, and compliance guidance.

• Growth Linkages: Potential integration with global startup portals, export bodies, and trade networks to help startups go global.

Strategic Implications: More Than a Registry

BHASKAR’s emergence is not just a digital convenience—it carries strategic implications for India's economic roadmap.

1. Data-Driven Policymaking

By centralizing startup data, the government can identify:

• Sectoral gaps

• Funding bottlenecks

• Regional disparities

• Real-time impact assessment of startup schemes

2. Investor Intelligence

With clean, structured, and verified data, investors will have improved discovery tools and risk insights, thereby unlocking new funding opportunities for underserved segments.

3. Integration with India Stack

BHASKAR aligns with India Stack initiatives like Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and ONDC, paving the way for seamless digital interoperability for startups in areas like payments, verification, and e-commerce.

The Road Ahead: From Pilot to Nationwide Rollout

The success of BHASKAR’s pilot phase will determine its long-term roadmap. Future phases are expected to include:

• Mobile App Access for easy updates and real-time alerts

• AI-powered matchmaking tools to connect startups with relevant stakeholders

• Inbuilt learning modules and certification courses in collaboration with universities and industry bodies

• Localization and language support to ensure reach in regional markets

Additionally, a national startup challenge may be launched to test the effectiveness of BHASKAR in driving ecosystem outcomes—from funding and hiring to collaboration and exports.

Conclusion: BHASKAR and the New Bharat Startup Story

The launch and steady progress of BHASKAR is a significant development in India’s quest to become a global innovation leader. It not only reflects the scale of India’s startup potential but also the government’s intent to institutionalize support, collaboration, and innovation through smart digital tools.

As India inches closer to its goal of a $5 trillion economy, startups will play a pivotal role. BHASKAR could well be the digital backbone of this movement—connecting dreams, enabling deals, and scripting a new chapter in Bharat’s entrepreneurial journey.