Latest news with #JitendraSingh
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First Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
In numbers: How women lead India's startup revolution
Women entrepreneurs are driving a transformative wave across India's startup ecosystem, putting the country prominently on the global map of startup ventures read more India is witnessing a quiet yet powerful transformation — one that is being led by women entrepreneurs across the length and breadth of the country. Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said that of the 1.7 lakh startups currently operating in India, nearly 76,000 are led by women. This milestone is more than symbolic as it signals a structural shift in how innovation, economic participation and leadership are being reshaped across India's entrepreneurial landscape. Collectively, these startups have generated over 17 lakh jobs, contributing meaningfully to India's employment base and economic development. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This transformation is not limited to India's metropolitan hubs. The Indian minister pointed out that smaller towns, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 urban clusters in poorer states such as parts of Bihar, are emerging as fertile grounds for women-led ventures. These new entrepreneurial hotspots show the expanding reach of India's startup ecosystem into areas that were historically left out of the innovation discourse. Where women found and flourished Data from the Startup India digital map reveals that states such as Maharashtra, Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh host the highest number of women-led startups. Maharashtra alone accounts for nearly 13,700 of these ventures, demonstrating how infrastructural advantages and capital access can fuel female entrepreneurship. Southern states such as Telangana and Kerala also show strong numbers, suggesting the influence of state-level policies designed to foster inclusive growth. However, the data also reflect disparities. Northeastern states and Union Territories such as Sikkim, Ladakh and Lakshadweep continue to lag in supporting women-led enterprises, largely due to limitations in market access, mentorship and funding. This regional imbalance highlights the need for more localised interventions tailored to the challenges of these underrepresented areas. A global powerhouse in women-led startup funding On the global stage, India ranks second only to the United States in terms of cumulative funding raised by companies with women founders. According to a recent report by Tracxn, women-led tech startups in India have collectively raised a staggering $26.4 billion to date. In 2024 alone, these ventures secured $1 billion in funding — representing 8.76 per cent of all tech startup capital raised in the country that year. Despite a 25 per cent decline from 2023's funding figures, the early-stage investment segment actually grew by six per cent, reflecting increased investor confidence in newer women-led ventures. Still, the need for sustained capital support remains critical, especially as fewer startups progress beyond Series A funding. Bengaluru: India's startup capital for women Among Indian cities, Bengaluru stands as the unequivocal leader in both the number of women-led startups and total funding secured. It is followed by Mumbai and the Delhi-NCR region. This dominance reflects not only access to capital and talent but also the presence of supportive ecosystems that encourage risk-taking and innovation by women founders. Bengaluru's startup culture — long heralded for its openness to diversity and experimentation — has provided a conducive environment for many prominent women-led companies further strengthening its position as a launchpad for entrepreneurial success. Sectoral impact: Beyond traditional boundaries Women-led startups are not confined to a narrow band of sectors. The Tracxn report reveals that these ventures span diverse industries, with the retail sector leading in cumulative funding at $7.8 billion. Edtech follows at $5.4 billion, while enterprise applications claim $5 billion. This diversification signals a maturity in the ecosystem—women founders are not just participating, they are innovating across verticals that were once considered male-dominated. Emerging sub-sectors such as fashion tech, Internet-first consumer brands and B2C ecommerce are seeing increased activity by women founders, redefining what entrepreneurial leadership looks like in India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unicorns, IPOs and the journey ahead India's women-led startup ecosystem has already produced multiple unicorns, with notable spikes in 2021 when eight new unicorns emerged. While the pace has slowed — 2023 and 2024 saw no new unicorns — the groundwork for future growth continues to be laid. In terms of public market participation, five women-led startups went public in 2024, including notable names like MobiKwik and LawSikho. These successful IPOs mark important milestones, proving that women entrepreneurs are not only building scalable businesses but also ones that are investment-worthy at the highest levels. However, the path to unicorn status and public listing remains steep. Only 2.3 per cent of funded women-led startups have advanced to Series C or beyond. Addressing this requires more institutional backing, mentorship networks, and long-term funding strategies. Icons of innovation A number of women-led startups have emerged as industry benchmarks. Startups such as ACKO, LivSpace, Amagi and The Good Glamm Group are disrupting fields such as insurtech, proptech, SaaS and digital consumer goods. These ventures showcase the range, impact and ambition that characterise the new wave of women-led innovation in India. Government support and vision The government has not remained a passive observer in this evolution. At a recent conference on women's development in Bihar, Singh stressed upon the government's focus on empowering women through institutional and scientific avenues. Initiatives such as the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), CURIE and GATI schemes aim to build both skill and confidence among aspiring women innovators. Bihar, for instance, is being positioned as a model state in women-led development, thanks to programmes like the Lakhpati Didi scheme and 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayats. These efforts reflect a strategic push to embed women-centric leadership into the country's developmental blueprint. Singh also emphasised how women are increasingly occupying leadership roles in traditionally male-dominated sectors. India now boasts over one-third of its CSIR laboratories headed by women scientists. Women are playing vital roles in space missions, defence and policy-making—reshaping perceptions and realities at the highest levels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Inclusive and bold India's women-led startup revolution is more than a statistical phenomenon. It is a powerful indicator of what inclusive, equitable growth can look like. From Bengaluru's tech corridors to the grassroots of Bihar, women are shaping a new economic narrative grounded in creativity, resilience and impact. Yet, the journey is far from complete. Funding gaps, regional disparities and a lack of late-stage capital remain significant hurdles. Closing these gaps will require not only public sector commitment but also proactive support from investors, incubators and industry leaders. As India looks toward its Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, one thing is increasingly clear: the future of Indian innovation is not just inclusive, it is female-led. And in that future, numbers don't just tell a story; they tell a revolution in progress.
New Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘SIR will ensure rights of genuine voters'
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, MoS in the PMO, and MoS for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, criticised the Opposition for creating confusion over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a free-wheeling interview with Rajesh Kumar Thakur, he accused them of misleading the public out of fear of losing ineligible votes. Excerpts: Opposition is united against SIR being carried out in poll-bound Bihar, accusing your government of using it to drop voters from other parties. What do you have to say? These are untrue and baseless allegations made by the Opposition out of fear and frustration over losing the support of undeserving voters. The SIR, which is now being carried out successfully in Bihar, is not intended to remove people from voting lists but to ensure that voting rights are upheld for genuine voters. The Opposition currently has no agenda other than opposing initiatives that are in the larger interest of the nation or individual states. Will voter names' removal under SIR hurt NDA's poll chances in Bihar? Absolutely not. It is not designed to prevent anyone from exercising their voting rights but to ensure that only genuine voters participate. The people of Bihar are highly aware and understand the benefits of such an exercise, and they will not be misled by the Opposition. The NDA will not face any negative electoral consequences; in fact, it is the Opposition—which has been exploiting the inclusion of ineligible voters without proper documentation—that is alarmed by SIR.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'Opposition reduced itself to opposing everything for political reasons'
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office; and Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, criticised the Opposition for creating confusion over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a free-wheeling interview with Rajesh Kumar Thakur, he accused them of misleading the public out of fear of losing ineligible votes. Excerpts Opposition parties are united against the SIR exercise being carried out in poll-bound Bihar, accusing your government of using it to drop voters from other parties. What do you have to say? These are totally untrue and baseless allegations made by the Opposition out of fear and frustration over losing the support of undeserving voters. The SIR, which is now being carried out successfully in Bihar, is not intended to remove people from voting lists but to ensure that voting rights are upheld for genuine voters. The Opposition currently has no agenda other than opposing initiatives that are in the larger interest of the nation or individual states. Will the removal of voter names under SIR hurt the NDA's poll chances in Bihar? Absolutely not. It is not designed to prevent anyone from exercising their voting rights but to ensure that only genuine voters participate. The people of Bihar are highly aware and understand the benefits of such an exercise, and they will not be misled by the Opposition. The NDA will not face any negative electoral consequences; in fact, it is the Opposition—which has been exploiting the inclusion of ineligible voters without proper documentation—that is alarmed by SIR. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused your government of 'snatching and stealing' votes through SIR. What is your response? Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is known for making baseless allegations simply to distract the public. In fact, he was the one who previously advocated for electoral roll revisions after his party's defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Rahul Gandhi's intention is only to create confusion among the public about every initiative. But the people of Bihar are wise and understand his motives well. How is the Modi-led NDA gearing up to counter the Opposition in the Monsoon Session starting Monday? The NDA is fully prepared. Since the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi works for 'Sabka Saath', 'Sabka Vikas' and through 'Sabka Prayas', there is no issue on which the government is not in the right. The Opposition, which has reduced itself to opposing everything purely for political reasons, will gain nothing by creating an uproar. Rather, we urge them to offer constructive support to the government. Do you think women voters in Bihar are leaning towards the NDA this time? Yes, not only women voters but every voter who has witnessed the development and positive changes under NDA rule in Bihar will vote for the NDA. Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents trust for them. The 'Modi Guarantee', under the state leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar—who, along with BJP and other allied parties, has made visible changes in Bihar—is widely trusted. Bihar has become a model of women-led development. Will there be a discussion on Operation Sindoor in Parliament? What our leaders have said stands true. The government has been transparent about Operation Sindoor's success. The Opposition is simply trying to manufacture an issue where none exists. Did US President Trump actually mediate between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, as the Opposition claims? I'm not able to officially comment on such matters. The Opposition's stance is mere political posturing without any basis. They should stop creating unnecessary uproar and focus on being constructive rather than just opposing for opposition's sake. Since you oversee the Department of Atomic Energy, how is India tackling emerging challenges in the sector? India is on track to meet the target of generating 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047, and we are taking all necessary steps toward this goal. In addition to progressing in the civil nuclear energy sector, we are considering converting ten decommissioned thermal power plant sites into nuclear power sites for civilian use, aligning with India's ambition to reach 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. Are private sector players being actively supported in the nuclear energy sector? Yes, significant changes are planned through updated regulations and legislation. The government, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aims to amend key laws like the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act to encourage private sector participation. Organizations such as NPCIL, BHAVINI, and ASHVINI are actively planning new nuclear plants. Indian scientists are developing Bharat Small Modular Reactors (50–300 MW) for retired thermal plants. Under PM Modi's leadership, India strives for self-reliance and global leadership in nuclear energy, aiming to become a developed nation by 2047 with strong private sector growth opportunities. How is India advancing its space program, and what is the status of key missions like Chandrayaan? India has become a global space leader with cost-effective, precise missions. Chandrayaan-3's historic South Pole landing and astronaut Shukla's record experiments highlight this progress. Chandrayaan-4 is slated for 2027, reinforcing India's position in space exploration and scientific innovation. When will India be able to launch its first human space mission, Gaganyaan? Gaganyaan is now in its final phase, and we are optimistic about launching the crewed mission in 2027. We consider it a historic mission that goes beyond scientific accomplishment—it symbolises our emergence as a global space power built on indigenous technology and fiscal prudence under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. How committed is India to promoting research, innovation, and science for the future? Since PM Narendra Modi took office, India has significantly boosted funding for R&D, allocating over Rs 20,000 crore for private sector innovation. This has transformed India into a global leader in science, technology, and startups. The government's focus on fostering a strong ecosystem has driven scientific progress, improving everyday life and showcasing successes like Operation Sindoor.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
India will address concerns of private sector on investments in civil nuclear segment: Minister
India will be able to address the apprehensions of the private sector globally about investments in the civil nuclear sector, which was opened up to achieve the ambitious target of producing 100 GW atomic power by 2047, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has asserted. Singh, who oversees the Department of Atomic Energy , said changes in relevant rules and legislations will have to be made to facilitate the entry of the private sector in the field of nuclear energy, which currently is under tight control of the government. "The announcement has already been made in the Union Budget, but we will have to frame rules, also possible legislation to actually move on, which will take a lot of consideration, a lot of introspection," Singh told PTI in an exclusive video interview. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech in February, announced the government's intention to amend key legislation, including the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, to facilitate private sector involvement. Currently, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) and NPCIL-NTPC joint venture company Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI) can build nuclear power plants in the country. Scientists at the DAE are also developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactors ranging from 50 MW to 300 MW each for installation in thermal plants which have completed their operational life. Singh said the legislative changes to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act are aimed at addressing the concerns of the private sector that has been reluctant to invest in the nuclear power segment. "It is just that the suppliers, most of them private and most of them from the other countries, had their own apprehensions from a business point of view. I am sure in the course of time, we will be able to address that also, able to satisfy them and reassure them to venture in," Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said. Singh said the decision to open up the nuclear sector for private participation was more difficult than unleashing space sector reforms. "It has been possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal indulgence. Even the nuclear sector stakeholders are conditioned to work behind a veil of secrecy. They feel now this is the norm," he said. The minister said opening up the nuclear sector was crucial to realise the aim of India becoming a developed nation by 2047 and emerging as the top ranking economy globally. "If we have to realise this goal, our strategy has to be global. Because we are going to meet the global benchmarks. So global strategies require us to move in an integrated fashion, devoid of silos. And, therefore, we are now following the same course as it has been followed by the other developed countries," Singh said. The minister said the government had tried to address the apprehensions voiced by the foreign suppliers who had been allocated sites to develop nuclear power parks at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Mithi Virdi in Gujarat and Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh about the liability laws. "India's position was very clear, but somehow there is some scepticism on the part of the suppliers. Soon after this government came, we made it abundantly clear, not once but more than once, that this is a misplaced apprehension," he said. The minister said in case of an incident, the first onus will be on the operator of the plant and then on the supplier and after a certain limit the insurance pool will come to the rescue. He said India is also signatory to the Convention of Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage of those parties which are part of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Currently, India produces 8780 MWe of nuclear power and plans to scale it up to 22,480 MW by 2031-32.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India will address concerns of private sector on investments in civil nuclear segment: Minister
India will be able to address the apprehensions of the private sector globally about investments in the civil nuclear sector, which was opened up to achieve the ambitious target of producing 100 GW of atomic power by 2047, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has asserted. Mr. Singh, who oversees the Department of Atomic Energy, said changes in relevant rules and legislations will have to be made to facilitate the entry of the private sector in the field of nuclear energy, which currently is under tight control of the government. "The announcement has already been made in the Union Budget, but we will have to frame rules, also possible legislation to actually move on, which will take a lot of consideration, a lot of introspection," Mr. Singh told PTI in an exclusive video interview. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech in February, announced the government's intention to amend key legislation, including the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, to facilitate private sector involvement. Currently, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) and NPCIL-NTPC joint venture company Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI) can build nuclear power plants in the country. Scientists at the DAE are also developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactors ranging from 50 MW to 300 MW each for installation in thermal plants which have completed their operational life. Mr. Singh said the legislative changes to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act are aimed at addressing the concerns of the private sector that has been reluctant to invest in the nuclear power segment. "It is just that the suppliers, most of them private and most of them from the other countries, had their own apprehensions from a business point of view. I am sure in the course of time, we will be able to address that also, able to satisfy them and reassure them to venture in," Mr. Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said. Mr. Singh said the decision to open up the nuclear sector for private participation was more difficult than unleashing space sector reforms. "It has been possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal indulgence. Even the nuclear sector stakeholders are conditioned to work behind a veil of secrecy. They feel now this is the norm," he said. The Minister said opening up the nuclear sector was crucial to realise the aim of India becoming a developed nation by 2047 and emerging as the top ranking economy globally. "If we have to realise this goal, our strategy has to be global. Because we are going to meet the global benchmarks. So global strategies require us to move in an integrated fashion, devoid of silos. And, therefore, we are now following the same course as it has been followed by the other developed countries," Mr. Singh said. The Minister said the government had tried to address the apprehensions voiced by the foreign suppliers who had been allocated sites to develop nuclear power parks at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Mithi Virdi in Gujarat and Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh about the liability laws. "India's position was very clear, but somehow there is some scepticism on the part of the suppliers. Soon after this government came, we made it abundantly clear, not once but more than once, that this is a misplaced apprehension," he said. The Minister said in case of an incident, the first onus will be on the operator of the plant and then on the supplier and after a certain limit the insurance pool will come to the rescue. He said India is also signatory to the Convention of Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage of those parties which are part of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Currently, India produces 8780 MWe of nuclear power and plans to scale it up to 22,480 MW by 2031-32.
