During the general discussion for the FY25 Budget in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed concerns regarding a perceived conspiracy to undermine India's entrepreneurial spirit. She emphasized that this effort aims to portray India as an unsafe environment for business. Sitharaman's comments come at a time when India's startup ecosystem is experiencing challenges, with many startups struggling to survive amid a funding drought. Despite these challenges, the Finance Minister reiterated the government's commitment to boosting manufacturing and enhancing India's share in global growth. The Union Budget for FY 2024-25 includes significant allocations, such as over ₹3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women and girls. The Startup India initiative, launched in 2016, has played a crucial role in fostering innovation, contributing to the rise of over 1.17 lakh startups, including 11 unicorns, from 2014 to 2024.