
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], January 18 (ANI): Uttarakhand has been recognised as a “Leader” in building a strong startup ecosystem in the States’ Startup Ecosystem Ranking (5th Edition) released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the release said.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), on the occasion of National Startup Day, the Industries Department of the Uttarakhand Government was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for this achievement.
This honour reflects Uttarakhand’s success in promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, and self-employment among youth through its startup policies, an effort that is now being acknowledged at the national level. Uttarakhand’s achievement is also being viewed as a model for other states across the country.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this recognition is a matter of pride for Uttarakhand. “Our government has developed supportive policies, simplified procedures, and a robust ecosystem to promote startups. The youth of the state possess remarkable innovative potential, and the government is providing them support at every level. This achievement is the result of the collective efforts of all entrepreneurs, startups, and officials of the state.”
Earlier this week, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved a proposal to extend, in a phased manner, the benefits of “equal pay for equal work” to personnel sponsored by the Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited (UPNL).
The decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. In the first phase, UPNL personnel who have completed 10 years of continuous service will be granted salary-related benefits.
The Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Ministerial Sub-Committee in its meeting held on December 8, 2025. The committee was constituted in compliance with the order passed by the Uttarakhand High Court on November 12, 2018, in Public Interest Litigation.
In view of the State’s financial condition, the Cabinet decided to implement the policy in a phased manner. Accordingly, salary-related benefits will initially be extended to UPNL-sponsored personnel who have completed a decade of continuous service. (ANI)


