Content:
- India as the First Responder for Global South in Disaster Management
- Nine Years of Startup India
Nine Years of Startup India
Introduction
India celebrates nine years of the Startup India initiative launched in 2016, commemorated as National Startup Day on January 16. With 1.59 lakh startups and a global ranking as the third-largest startup ecosystem, the initiative underscores the nation’s growing entrepreneurial spirit.
Major hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, alongside smaller cities, are spearheading this transformation. Startups in fintech, edtech, health-tech, and e-commerce have addressed local challenges while gaining global recognition.
Relevance :GS 2(Governance) , GS 3(Economy)
Milestones
- Startup Growth:
- Growth from 500 (2016) to 1.59 lakh startups (2025).
- Women entrepreneurship: 73,151 startups with at least one woman director.
- Over 16.6 lakh direct jobs created since inception.
- Economic Contributions:
- IT services: 2.04 lakh jobs.
- Healthcare: 1.47 lakh jobs.
- Professional services: ~94,000 jobs.
Core Features of Startup India
- Ease of Doing Business:
- Simplified compliance, self-certification, and single-window clearances.
- Tax Benefits:
- Three-year tax holiday for eligible startups.
- Funding Support:
- ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS).
- Sectoral Policies:
- Special focus on biotech, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Flagship Schemes
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS):
- Seed funding for early-stage startups.
- Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS):
- Collateral-free credit access.
- Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS):
- Supports venture capital investments.
Initiatives and Ecosystem Development
- Capacity Building:
- Workshops under the State Startup Ranking Framework.
- Handholding for incubators in non-metro areas.
- Outreach and Awareness:
- Regional showcases, mentorship programs, and funding facilitation.
- Global Collaboration:
- G20 Startup20 Engagement Group for international partnerships.
- Platforms like BHASKAR enhancing India’s startup ecosystem visibility.
BHASKAR Platform
- Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) launched in 2024.
- Key Features: Seamless networking, centralized resources, BHASKAR IDs, and global outreach.
Startup Mahakumbh
- Annual event fostering innovation and collaboration.
- 2024 Highlights:
- Participation of 48,000 attendees, 1,300 exhibitors, and delegations from 14 countries.
Conclusion
India’s Startup India initiative has significantly contributed to innovation, employment, and inclusivity. With supportive policies, flagship schemes, and platforms like BHASKAR, India continues its stride toward becoming a global innovation hub.
India as the First Responder for Global South in Disaster Management
Context:
- India is acknowledged as a first responder for humanitarian crises in the Global South.
- Examples include flood prevention, mitigation initiatives, and the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative, which provided free COVID-19 vaccines to over 100 countries.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations ) , GS 3(Disaster Management)
- Role of Armed Forces and IMD
- The Indian Armed Forces and Rapid Action Forces play a pivotal role in disaster rescue and relief operations.
- Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) contributes significantly to disaster prevention, reducing casualties.
- Focus on Disaster Relief Insurance
- Faster settlement of disaster relief claims is essential, with emphasis on factual and accurate assessments to prevent delays.
- Importance of raising awareness about relief insurance claims to ensure a seamless process.
- Holistic Approach to Disaster Management
- Prime Minister’s 10-point agenda for disaster management includes integration, risk mapping, capacity building, and international cooperation.
- Recent Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to create a national and state-level disaster database, strengthening response mechanisms.
- Budgetary Allocations
- Disaster relief budgets have tripled in the last decade.
- Relief funds are allocated through State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
- Education and Awareness
- Disaster management education from an early age is critical to enhancing India’s resilience.
- Capacity-building workshops and state-specific initiatives bolster grassroots disaster readiness.
- India’s Role in the Global South
- India’s initiatives, such as ‘Vaccine Maitri’, underscore its soft power and humanitarian leadership.
- Disaster management outreach strengthens India’s global partnerships, especially in the context of climate resilience.
- Challenges in Disaster Insurance
- Simplifying and digitizing claim processes can enhance efficiency.
- Encouraging ethical practices in claims management ensures fairness and prevents delays.
- Institutional Preparedness
- The IMD’s advancements highlight the need for continuous investment in early warning systems.
- The amendment to the Disaster Management Act reflects a shift towards data-driven disaster governance.
- Capacity Building and Community Engagement
- Introducing disaster management in school curriculums creates long-term resilience.
- Collaboration between government, NGOs, and private stakeholders is vital for inclusive disaster response.
- Budgetary Enhancements
- Increased financial commitment aligns with India’s vulnerabilities to climate-related disasters.
- Effective fund utilization remains crucial for impactful outcomes.
Way Forward
- Strengthening Regional Collaboration
- Enhance regional cooperation through SAARC and BIMSTEC frameworks for disaster response.
- Leveraging Technology
- Invest in advanced geospatial tools and AI for real-time disaster mapping and response.
- Inclusive Planning
- Empower women and marginalized communities in disaster management frameworks as per PM’s agenda.
- Expanding Education
- Develop comprehensive disaster management modules at all education levels.
- Global Advocacy
- Position India as a global hub for disaster management training and expertise.
