Uttar Pradesh sees rapid expansion in youth-led startups under ‘CM Yuva’ scheme while leading procurement via Government e-Marketplace.
April 9, 2026: Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a major shift towards youth self-reliance through the ‘CM Yuva’ scheme, with more than 10,000 enterprises established across the state. The initiative has generated employment for thousands and encouraged young people to become job creators. According to Sarveshwar Shukla, the scheme is helping advance the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, with a target to increase innovation-based enterprises from 10 per cent to 25 per cent in the 2026–27 financial year.
A wide range of sectors is attracting young entrepreneurs, with food and restaurant ventures leading the list, followed by computer training, pathology services, fast food, franchise models and online teaching. Emerging areas such as gyms, digital platforms, tourism and cloud kitchens are also gaining traction. Districts like Lucknow, Azamgarh and Hardoi are leading in enterprise numbers, highlighting the widespread reach of the initiative across urban and semi-urban regions.
Financial institutions have played a crucial role in supporting startups, with banks like State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Punjab National Bank providing significant funding. Alongside this growth, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top state in procurement through the Government e-Marketplace, recording purchases worth ₹22,337 crore in FY 2025–26. Increased participation from women, SC/ST entrepreneurs, startups and MSMEs reflects rising inclusivity, positioning the state as a key driver of both innovation and transparent governance.