The indicator “Startups recognised by Startup India” reflects the count of entrepreneurial ventures that have officially met the eligibility criteria set by the Government of India under its flagship Startup India initiative, launched in January 2016. Recognition under this program requires startups to be incorporated as a private limited company, registered partnership firm, or limited liability partnership; to be less than 10 years old; and to exhibit innovation in products, services, or processes with commercialisation potential. This indicator is critically relevant as it serves as a proxy for tracking the formal growth of India’s innovation-driven startup ecosystem. The data also offers a lens into the scale and maturity of new businesses availing government benefits like tax exemptions, relaxed compliance, IPR support, and funding opportunities. For policymakers, this helps in evaluating the impact of Startup India reforms and making data-informed decisions to improve the ease of doing business. For investors and incubators, it highlights startups with verified innovation credentials. Overall, this indicator is central to understanding how India is fostering a structured, supportive environment for entrepreneurs, thereby driving economic diversification, job creation, and global competitiveness.