Chandigarh Administration Launches Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 at Punjab Raj Bhawan
Chandigarh, April 29, 2025:
The Chandigarh Administration today formally launched the much-anticipated Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 during a prestigious ceremony held at Punjab Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh. The event represents a landmark moment in Chandigarh’s journey towards becoming a leading innovation-driven and entrepreneur-friendly city.
The launch was graced by Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, who formally unveiled the Policy document.
Additional dignitaries present in the event were Sh. Rajeev Verma, IAS, Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, Smt. Harpreet Kaur Babla, Mayor, U.T. Chandigarh, Sh. Vivek Pratap Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to Governor Punjab, and leadership of eminent institutions such as Panjab University, Punjab Engineering College, PGIMER, STPI, ISB, IISER Mohali, IIT Ropar, NABI.
Among the participants were startup founders, budding entrepreneurs, representatives from industrial association such as CII, PHDCCI, ASSOCHAM, CAN, TiE, Punjab Angels Network and Innovation Mission Punjab and other Chandigarh based associations.
Shri Nishant Kumar Yadav, IAS, Secretary Industries, Chandigarh Administration gave an insightful presentation detailing the framework, incentives, and long-term objectives of the new policy.
In his address, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria said that the new Chandigarh Start Up Policy has been designed as per the vision and consistent efforts of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India since 2016. Just like Pune, Bengluru, and Ahmedabad, our City Beautiful Chandigarh, can too become a start up hub.
The Administrator said that today’s youth are already talented and tech-driven, and we just need to support. This newly brought Start Up policy of Chandigarh will engage youth in a positive and innovative direction, generate employment opportunities, and also help the region to become ‘drug free’. He firther said that with the suggestions and cooperation of all the Industrial bodies and Premium Educational and Research Institutes in the region, we can make improve this start up policy and make it a success and therefore help in development of this region, especially the tricity.
Through the Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025, 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.
The event concluded with a National Anthem and a vibrant networking Hi-Tea session, bringing together startup founders, academia, government officials, and industry leaders for future collaborations.
The Chandigarh Administration reaffirmed its strong commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, accelerating innovation, and driving economic dynamism through proactive governance and stakeholder partnerships.
Key Highlights of Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025:
The Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 has been meticulously 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.
● Facilitate access to funding, incubation, mentorship, and infrastructure for startups across various stages of their lifecycle — from ideation to commercialization.
● Strengthen incubators and academic institutions, driving synergy between industry and academia for fostering innovation.
The Chandigarh Administration has earmarked an annual corpus of ₹10 crore for the effective implementation of the Policy for the next five years.
Policy Structure and Administrative Framework:
● High Powered Committee (HPC) chaired by the Chief Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, will guide strategic decisions, monitor progress, and amend the policy if needed.
● Policy Monitoring & Implementation Committee (PMIC) chaired by Secretary Industries, Chandigarh Administration, will be responsible for operational approvals, disbursement of incentives, and monitoring activities.
Financial and Non-Financial Incentives:
The Policy offers an extensive range of incentives for startups and incubators:
Financial Support for Startups:
● Idea Grant: ₹2 lakh for top 20 startups and ₹1 lakh for next 50 startups selected through an annual Grand Competition.
● Seed Stage Grant: Up to ₹7 lakh per startup and an additional ₹2 lakh for women-led and transgender-led startups.
● Early-Stage Commercialisation Grant: Up to ₹12 lakh per startup, with an additional ₹2 lakh for women-led and transgender-led startups.
● Rental Subsidy: ₹5000 per month for 12 months for using recognized co-working spaces.
● Support for certifications of 80% of the cost incurred up to ₹1 lakh per startup.
● Support for patent filings of 80% of the cost incurred up to ₹10,000 per startup.
● Support for Participation in national/ international conferences with reimbursement up to ₹2.5 lakh per startup.
● Support for Participation in and acceleration programs with reimbursement up to ₹3 lakh per startup.
Financial Support for Incubators:
● Technology Upgradation Grant: Up to 25% of the total project cost, with ceilings of ₹30 lakh for public and ₹20 lakh for private incubators.
● Sustenance Allowance: ₹7.5 lakh per annum for operational expenses.
● Mentorship Programme Support: ₹5 lakh per annum for organizing startup mentoring activities.
Non-Financial Incentives for Startups:
● Access to incubation facilities at no cost for one year.
● Relaxed public procurement norms.
● Self-certification under 6 labour laws.
● Subsidized stalls at India International Trade Fair (IITF) and similar exhibitions.
● Full integration and service availability via the dedicated “Start-in-Chandigarh Portal”.
Other Activities:
Promoting Innovation, Research and Entrepreneurship:
● Academic Interventions: Entrepreneurship Cells to be set up at schools, colleges, and ITIs.
● Faculty Development Programs to build startup sensitisation among educators.
● Startup Fests and Hackathons with an annual corpus of ₹30 lakh to promote ideation and collaboration.
● Awareness Programs supported through an additional ₹20 lakh annually.
