The overhaul is intended to integrate startup registration, government schemes, mentorship programmes, and investor access, with a focus on higher-education institutions.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade announced on May 21, 2026 that the existing BHASKAR startup directory will be transformed into a comprehensive “National Startup Master Data” platform. The overhaul is intended to integrate startup registration, government schemes, mentorship programmes, and investor access, with a focus on higher-education institutions.
The announcement was made during a press briefing by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on May 21, 2026. The initiative is part of the broader Startup India programme and will be coordinated with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and its Innovation Cell (MIC) [1]. No specific rollout timetable was disclosed, but the government indicated that the upgraded platform will replace the current BHASKAR portal, which presently serves as a directory of recognised startups [2].
Key agencies involved include DPIIT, the Ministry of Education, the MoE Innovation Cell, and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, established under the National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP) 2019, will work with higher-education institutions to align the new framework with academic entrepreneurship objectives [1].
AICTE will provide policy guidance for technical institutions that participate in the startup ecosystem [4].
Upgrade Process and Platform Features
The transformation of BHASKAR into the National Startup Master Data framework will involve a technical migration of existing startup records onto a unified database. The new system is designed to capture comprehensive data points, including company registration details, eligibility for government incentives, mentorship affiliations, and investor matchmaking information [2].
DPIIT officials explained that the upgrade will consolidate fragmented information sources currently spread across multiple ministries and agencies. By integrating scheme eligibility criteria—such as tax benefits, compliance simplifications, and intellectual-property fast-tracking—into a single interface, the government aims to streamline access for startups originating from colleges and universities [2].
The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell will contribute to the platform’s design by incorporating modules that support student-led ventures, faculty incubators, and university technology transfer offices.
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The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell will contribute to the platform’s design by incorporating modules that support student-led ventures, faculty incubators, and university technology transfer offices. MIC’s existing role in promoting innovation culture across higher-education institutions positions it to facilitate mentorship linkages and collaborative research opportunities within the new framework [1].
AICTE will ensure that technical institutions comply with the updated registration procedures and that curricula align with the startup support services offered through the platform. The council’s start-up policy guidelines will be referenced to maintain consistency with national objectives for entrepreneurship education [4].
Immediate Impact on Students, Faculty and Institutions
India to Upgrade BHASKAR Platform into National Startup Master Data Framework for Educational Institutions
Higher-education institutions can now direct their incubator-supported startups to a single, government-maintained portal for registration and benefit claims. This reduces administrative overhead and provides clearer visibility into scheme eligibility, potentially accelerating the time from idea to market for student-driven enterprises [1].
Students and faculty members will have streamlined access to mentorship programmes listed on the platform, enabling connections with industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs. The integrated investor access feature is expected to facilitate capital-raising efforts by presenting vetted startup profiles to accredited investors [2].
Institutions that are part of the Startup India network will be able to track the performance and compliance status of their registered startups through the master data dashboard. This data can inform institutional strategies for entrepreneurship support, funding allocation, and partnership development with industry [3].
Students and faculty members will have streamlined access to mentorship programmes listed on the platform, enabling connections with industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs.
The overhaul aligns with the National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP) 2019, which mandates the creation of an ecosystem that nurtures innovation across all higher-education institutions. By centralising startup information, the government seeks to fulfil policy goals of increasing the number of viable student-led enterprises and enhancing the contribution of academic research to the national economy [5].
Broader Educational Landscape
The National Startup Master Data framework is expected to complement existing Startup India services, such as the recognition process for eligible startups that provides tax incentives and simplified compliance [3]. By extending these benefits to the academic sector, the government aims to bridge the gap between research outputs and commercialisation pathways.
The Ministry of Education has indicated that the platform will be accessible to all recognised higher-education institutions, including universities, colleges, and technical institutes under AICTE’s jurisdiction. This universal access model is intended to promote equitable participation in the startup ecosystem across diverse geographic regions and institutional types [1].
Stakeholders, including investors and industry partners, will benefit from a consolidated view of emerging ventures emerging from India’s academic landscape. The data-driven approach is designed to improve due diligence processes and encourage targeted investment in sectors aligned with national priorities [2].
Key Facts
What: DPIIT announced the upgrade of the BHASKAR startup directory into a National Startup Master Data platform focused on educational institutions.
What: DPIIT announced the upgrade of the BHASKAR startup directory into a National Startup Master Data platform focused on educational institutions.
When: Announcement made on May 21, 2026; implementation timeline not specified.
Impact: Provides students, faculty, and higher-education institutions with a unified portal for startup registration, scheme access, mentorship, and investor connections.
MIC – MoE’s Innovation Cell – Ministry of Education – https://nisp.mic.gov.in/
DPIIT plans BHASKAR upgrade into National Startup Master Data framework – https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/dpiit-plans-bhaskar-upgrade-into-national-startup-master-data-framework/tldr
Startup India – https://www.startupindia.gov.in/
Start-Up Policy | All India Council for Technical Education – https://www.aicte.gov.in/content/start-policy
National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP) | CMRIT Bangalore – https://www.cmrit.ac.in/nisp/
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