India, April 2 -- India's students are not waiting to graduate before they start building.

From over 300 DPIIT-recognised startups in 2016 to more than 1.59 lakh today, much of that momentum has a young face behind it. The Economic Survey 2024-25 tells you why: 65% of India's population is under 35. Entrepreneurship isn't a career detour for this generation. For many, it is the plan.

That ambition is real. But ambition without access is just potential. And right now, India is producing potential at scale and converting it at a trickle.

India does not have a formation problem. It has a progression problem.

The Nasscom-Zinnov India Tech Startup Report 2025 identifies the Seed-to-Series A transition as the ecosystem's most fragile point....