Guv unveils startup policy, says city can become hub

The UT Administration today formally launched the much-anticipated Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 during a ceremony held at Punjab Raj Bhawan. Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria unveiled the policy document. UT Industries Secretary Nishant Kumar Yadav gave a presentation detailing the framework, incentives and long-term objectives of the new policy.

The Administration has earmarked an annual corpus of Rs 10 crore for the effective implementation of the policy for the next five years.

In his address, Kataria said the startup policy had been designed as per the vision and consistent efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2016. “Just like Pune, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, our City Beautiful, can too become a startup hub,” he said.

The Administrator said: “Today’s youth are already talented and tech-driven and we just need to support them. The policy will engage youth in a positive and innovative direction, generate employment opportunities and also help the region to become ‘drug free’.”

Through the Startup Policy, the Administration aims to position Chandigarh as a leading innovation-driven startup ecosystem nurturing entrepreneurship, promoting R&D and driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

According to officials, the policy has been designed to enable the creation and growth of over 200 startups over the next five years, promote a culture of research, innovation and entrepreneurship among youth, women, transgenders and underrepresented groups. It is also aimed to facilitate access to funding, incubation, mentorship and infrastructure for startups across various stages of their lifecycle — from ideation to commercialisation and strengthen incubators and academic institutions, driving synergy between industry and academia for fostering innovation.

Policy structure and administrative framework

The High Powered Committee (HPC) chaired by the Chief Secretary will guide strategic decisions, monitor progress, and amend the policy if needed, and the Policy Monitoring & Implementation Committee (PMIC) chaired by the Secretary, Industries, will be responsible for operational approvals, disbursement of incentives, and monitoring activities.