🚀 Sonipat Startup Summit 4.0

Union MoS for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, inaugurated the Sonipat Startup Summit 4.0 at IIT Delhi Technopark. The summit, themed "Industry Acceleration Edition," focused on leveraging Deep-Tech to drive India's industrial growth.

Deep-Tech Core Focus
Tier II/III Target Regions
₹50 Lakh Govt Support Cap

💡 Key Focus Areas

The summit emphasized the convergence of technology and traditional industries, particularly highlighting the potential in the Haryana NCR corridor.

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Deep-Tech Frontiers
Focus on Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, and Green Energy as drivers of the next industrial phase.
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Sports Innovation
Leveraging Budget 2026 provisions for Sports Goods Manufacturing. Areas like Sports Analytics, Wearable Tech, and Biomechanics are emerging as sunrise sectors.
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Regional Growth
Empowering startups in Tier II and Tier III cities to connect regional entrepreneurship with global markets.
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Govt Support
Support via Atal Innovation Mission and Startup India, offering funding up to ₹50 lakh, mentorship, and incubation.

📚 UPSC Corner: Prelims Quiz

1. Where was the Sonipat Startup Summit 4.0 held?
  • A) IIT Bombay
  • B) IIT Delhi Technopark, Sonipat
  • C) Sports University of Haryana
  • D) Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Answer: B
2. Who is the current Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports mentioned in the release?
  • A) Kiren Rijiju
  • B) Anurag Thakur
  • C) Raksha Khadse
  • D) Mansukh Mandaviya
Answer: C
3. Which of the following was identified as a key "Sunrise Sector" for startups during the summit?
  • A) Traditional Textiles
  • B) Coal Mining
  • C) Sports Analytics and Wearable Tech
  • D) Real Estate
Answer: C
4. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) functions under which body?
  • A) Ministry of Education
  • B) DST
  • C) NITI Aayog
  • D) Ministry of MSME
Answer: C
5. The summit emphasized strengthening startups in which specific regions?
  • A) Only Metro Cities
  • B) Tier II and Tier III regions
  • C) Coastal Special Economic Zones
  • D) International territories
Answer: B

📝 Mains Practice Questions & Model Answers

Q1. "Deep-tech innovation is the cornerstone of India's vision for Viksit Bharat 2047." Discuss the role of government initiatives in fostering deep-tech startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. (GS-3: Economy/Science & Tech) - 250 Words
Model Answer Synopsis
Introduction India is transitioning from a service-based startup ecosystem to a Deep-Tech driven one (AI, Semiconductors, Green Energy). As highlighted at the Sonipat Summit, democratizing this innovation beyond metros is crucial for equitable growth.
Role of Government Initiatives 1. Infrastructure Access: Facilities like IIT Delhi Technopark in Sonipat provide world-class labs to regional startups, reducing the "location disadvantage."
2. Funding Support: Schemes under Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and Startup India provide early-stage funding (up to ₹50 Lakh), de-risking high-gestation deep-tech projects.
3. Academic Linkages: Connecting startups with institutions (like Sports University of Haryana) ensures research-backed product development.
Conclusion By focusing on industrial corridors (like Haryana NCR), the government is creating "Innovation Clusters" that prevent brain drain and boost local economies.
Q2. "The convergence of sports and technology offers a new industrial avenue for India." Analyze the potential of the sports goods manufacturing sector in the light of recent budgetary provisions. (GS-3: Industry) - 150 Words
Model Answer Synopsis
The Shift to Sports-Tech Sports is no longer just recreation; it's a data-driven industry. The demand for wearables, recovery science, and AI analytics is booming globally.
Budget 2026 & Manufacturing Recent budgetary provisions for sports goods manufacturing aim to make India a global hub. Startups can leverage this for import substitution (Make in India) in high-tech equipment, moving beyond traditional manufacturing (like bats/balls) to smart gear.
Conclusion Integrating Deep-tech with sports manufacturing (as highlighted by MoS Raksha Khadse) can position India as a leader in the global "Sports-Tech" market.
Source Information: PIB Release ID: 2227464 (Feb 13, 2026)
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sonipat Startup Summit 4.0: MoS Raksha Khadse Pushes for Deep-Tech & Sports Innovation - Image 1