UP’s population is not a challenge but a big opportunity, says CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presents a check during the release of ‘Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy-2026’ brochure and launch of ‘Uttar Pradesh Startup Mission’ portal at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow on August 27, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday (August 27, 2026) said the state’s population is not a challenge but a great opportunity, adding that it is a demographic dividend.

“Uttar Pradesh has the most talented and energetic young workforce in the world. It is the responsibility of the government to provide them with a platform. Foreign delegations, including ambassadors and high commissioners, ask me that Uttar Pradesh has a population of more than 25 million and therefore a major challenge lies before you. I tell them the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity,” he said.

“The population of UP, which people call a challenge, we see it as a demographic dividend. By linking their scale with skills, we can use it as a demographic dividend,” Mr. Adityanath said while addressing young entrepreneurs and industry representatives at the Lok Bhavan.

Under the Startup Policy, it distributed over ₹3.42 crore in incentives to 107 startups and ₹1.79 crore to nine incubators. On the occasion, he also released Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026 brochure and launched the Uttar Pradesh Startup Mission portal. During the program, the state’s startup ecosystem was showcased through a short film.

CM Yogi discussed the Indian startup ecosystem before and after 2014. He said, “Large-scale changes are visible in India. Before 2014, there were only 500 startups in the country, while now the number has crossed 2.5 lakh. The startup ecosystem is now giving impetus to the flight of dreams of the Indian youth,” he said.

“The situation in Uttar Pradesh was similar before 2017. At that time there were a total of 120 startups, but with the encouragement and positive environment provided by the twin-engine government, the number has now grown to over 24,000. There are eight unicorns among them.”

Published – 28 Aug 2026 04:54 IST