Chandigarh: Punjab industries minister Sanjeev Arora on Friday said the Centre recognised the state as a “top performer” for the second consecutive time in the States’ Start-up Ecosystem Ranking – 5th Edition, released by the department for promotion of industry and internal trade, ministry of commerce and industry.The certificate of appreciation was presented to the Punjab govt, department of industries & commerce, on the occasion of National Start-up Day on Friday, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in the presence of the Prime Minister.
The state’s performance was evaluated on key parameters, including start-up policy implementation, institutional support systems, incubation infrastructure, funding mechanisms, capacity building, mentorship, and market linkages. Arora said the recognition reflected Punjab’s sustained and focused efforts towards building an inclusive and innovation-driven start-up ecosystem. “The state’s performance underscores the impact of progressive start-up policies, strong institutional mechanisms, incubation and acceleration support, improved access to finance, mentorship initiatives, and ease-of-doing-business reforms implemented by Punjab govt,” he said. He added, “This consecutive recognition by the Govt of India as a ‘Top Performer’ is a strong validation of Punjab’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Punjab created a supportive ecosystem for start-ups, particularly for youth and first-generation entrepreneurs.” On Jan 12, 2026, CM Bhagwant Mann had inaugurated the state’s first Startup Punjab Conclave, where he emphasized transforming Punjab from a land of “job seekers” to “job creators.” The state has currently focused on utilizing its strong NRI diaspora and MSME base to scale local startups globally.Reaffirming the state govt’s commitment, Arora emphasised that Punjab will continue to focus on innovation-led economic growth, employment generation, and technology-driven development, ensuring that start-ups remain at the core of the State’s economic transformation.
