Union MoS Raksha Khadse Attends Sonipat Startup Summit 4.0; Highlights Deep-Tech, Innovation and Youth-Led Industrial Growth
STRAP: Smt. Raksha Khadse highlights opportunities emerging from Sports Goods Manufacturing provisions in Union Budget 2026
Sonipat, Haryana | February 13, 2026: Smt. Raksha Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, attended the Sonipat Startup Summit 4.0 at the IIT Delhi Technopark, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to innovation-led growth and youth-driven industrial transformation.
India Entering a Defining Deep-Tech Phase
Addressing innovators, entrepreneurs, students and industry leaders, Smt. Raksha Khadse stated that India, as the world’s fastest-growing economy, is entering a defining deep-tech phase driven by research, capital investment and global scalability.
India is entering a defining deep-tech phase driven by research, capital investment and global scalability. Platforms like the Sonipat Startup Summit help fast-track technology-based enterprise development and strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem.
The Summit, themed “Industry Acceleration Edition,” brought together startups, MSMEs, researchers, corporates and government stakeholders on a common platform to accelerate innovation and industrial transformation.
Government Initiatives Driving Innovation
Smt. Raksha Khadse emphasized that the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, through initiatives such as Startup India, Digital India, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, is creating a strong foundation for a self-reliant and innovation-driven economy aligned with the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The Government of India is committed to empowering startups, innovators and young entrepreneurs who are strengthening industrial capacity and contributing to the vision of a developed India.
She noted that the Summit serves as a launchpad for startups in emerging sectors including robotics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, green energy, advanced manufacturing, defence technology and agri-technology, especially across the Haryana NCR industrial corridor.
Union Budget 2026 Boosts Startup Ecosystem
Highlighting the Government’s enabling ecosystem, Smt. Raksha Khadse said that initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog, along with Startup India, provide funding support, incubation facilities, mentorship and market linkages.
The Union Budget 2026 has significantly strengthened support for deep-tech innovation, semiconductor manufacturing, startups, MSMEs and green growth, creating new opportunities for India’s innovation-driven economy.
Growth Opportunities in Sports Technology
Smt. Raksha Khadse highlighted the growing convergence of sports science and manufacturing innovation, noting that sports analytics, wearable technology, biomechanics, recovery science and AI-driven performance monitoring are opening new opportunities for sports-focused startups in India.
Youth Driving India’s Innovation Future
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, Smt. Raksha Khadse said that India’s young innovators are not only building startups but also strengthening technological independence and industrial growth.
India’s youth are the driving force behind the country’s innovation, industrial acceleration and global competitiveness.
Key Dignitaries Attend the Summit
The event was attended by Shri Ashok Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, Sports University of Haryana; Dr. Bipin Kumar, IIT Delhi; Shri T. K. Sundaramurthy, Former Mission Director, ISRO; Shri Shobhit Mathur, Rishihood University; Prof. Samuel Raj, SRM University; Prof. Ambika Prasad Shah, IIT Jammu; Shri Rakesh Chhabra, Rai Industry Association; and Shri Nalin Kohli, FITT Governing Council.
Smt. Raksha Khadse also appreciated Shri Alok Pandey, CEO, AIC IIT Delhi, for his leadership and commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
India’s Innovation Ecosystem Continues to Grow
The Sonipat Startup Summit 4.0 reflects India’s rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem and its ambition to scale globally through youth-driven creativity, enterprise and technological advancement.