
Section 42
Young founders and students
You can start a business at 18 under most schemes, and a student can register a startup while still in college. Use your college incubator first: it gives space, mentors and small grants.
- Startups recognised by DPIIT in one year — the highest since 2016 · 2025-26
- 55,200+
- Share of MUDRA loan accounts that went to new entrepreneurs · 2024-25
- 21%
- Atal Innovation Mission budget, approved up to 31 Mar 2028 · 2024
- ₹2,750 crore
Schemes and loans for you
- Startup India — DPIIT recognitionActiveFree recognition for a new company, LLP or partnership with an innovative idea. It opens tax benefits, easier compliance and startup-only schemes.Details →Official page ↗
- Atal Innovation Mission — Atal Incubation CentresActiveNITI Aayog's mission funds incubators in colleges and institutions, where students and young founders get space, mentoring and investor links.Official page ↗
- Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)ActiveA government guarantee on loans to DPIIT-recognised startups, so they can borrow without collateral.Guarantee up to ₹20 crore per borrowerDetails →Official page ↗
- Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)ActiveCollateral-free bank loans for small non-farm businesses in four sizes: Shishu, Kishor, Tarun and Tarun Plus.Up to ₹20 lakh (Tarun Plus only after a Tarun loan is repaid)Details →Official page ↗
- UP CM-YUVA (Uttar Pradesh)ActiveInterest-free loan for UP residents aged 21 to 40 who have done a recognised training course.Project up to ₹5 lakh, 100% interest subsidy for 4 years + 10% margin moneyDetails →Official page ↗
- Tamil Nadu UYEGPActiveCapital subsidy for unemployed young people in Tamil Nadu starting a trading or business unit.25% of project cost, max ₹3.75 lakhDetails →Official page ↗
- NIDHI-PRAYAS (DST)UnclearPrototype grants for young innovators through DST-supported centres, often based in college incubators.Up to ₹20 lakh (Level 1) or ₹40 lakh (Level 2) per innovatorDetails →Official page ↗
- MSME Innovative — Incubation schemeUnclearMinistry of MSME money to host institutes (often colleges) to turn ideas into products.Up to ₹15 lakh per ideaDetails →Official page ↗
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)ClosedSeed grants and loans to early startups through selected incubators. The scheme is closed to new applications.Details →Official page ↗
Business ideas that suit you
- Digital Marketing Agencyfrom ₹15,000
- Mobile App / Software Development Studiofrom ₹4.5 lakh
- Web Designing Studiofrom ₹9.5 lakh
- Drone Pilot and Mapping Training Centrefrom ₹55 lakh
- Computer Hardware Service Centrefrom ₹1.9 lakh
- Food Truckfrom ₹6.8 lakh
- Gym / Health & Fitness Centrefrom ₹39.7 lakh
- Event Photography and Videographyfrom ₹7 lakh
- Coaching Classes (School Tuition Centre)from ₹18.9 lakh
- Multipurpose Computer Centre / Cyber Caféfrom ₹5.4 lakh
Sources (9)
- Government recognizes more than 55,200 startups during FY 2025-26 (17 Apr 2026) · 2026
- 11 Years of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (backgrounder, 8 Apr 2026) · 2026
- Cabinet approves continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (25 Nov 2024) · 2024
- Startup India: Playbook of Government Schemes and Initiatives (June 2026) · 2026
- myScheme — NIDHI – PRAYAS · 2026
- myScheme — Incubation Scheme · 2026
- MUDRA — PMMY products (Shishu, Kishor, Tarun, Tarun Plus) · 2026
- MSME 1-Connect: Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan · 2026
- UYEGP — scheme page · 2026