The Government of Sikkim was awarded the prestigious ‘Emerging Leader’ Award on the occasion of National Startup Day 2026, commemorating a decade of the Startup India initiative (2016–2026). This marks the first time Sikkim has received national-level recognition under the Startup India framework, highlighting the state’s efforts in developing a robust startup and innovation ecosystem.
The award ceremony took place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. On behalf of the Sikkim government, the award was received by Karma Youtso, Secretary of the Commerce and Industries Department, along with Choden Gyatso, Special Secretary of the same department.
In addition to the state-level award, Certificates of Commendation were presented to individuals for their contributions to strengthening Sikkim’s startup and MSME ecosystem. Recipients included Karma D. Youtso, Choden Gyatso, and Ravi Kumar, Director of MSME, Commerce and Industries Department.
The ‘Emerging Leader’ category recognises states demonstrating significant progress in policy support, institutional frameworks, entrepreneurship promotion, and innovation-driven initiatives for startups. Officials stated that Sikkim’s recognition reflects sustained efforts to support local entrepreneurs, encourage early-stage ventures, and foster an inclusive environment for economic growth.
