Kurukshetra Magazine January 2024 - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 2


A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 3 | Pages 52 | January 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003  
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ? ? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? Thiruvananthapuram - Press Road, 
Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. Towers, 
Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bengaluru - 
560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 (0612-2675823)  
? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) ? Ahmedabad - Sales 
Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad 
Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHIEF EDITOR 
Manogyan Rani Pal
EDITOR 
Shiela Chaudhary
JOINT DIRECTOR (PRODUCTION)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
COVER DESIGN
Rajender Kumar
EDITORIAL OFFICE
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals Unit 
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAX: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5
11
34
44
5 Redefining Rural Landscapes
Startups Paving the Way for 
Inclusive Development
Rohit Gupta
Ashish Pandey
34 Drone Revolution 
Changing the Face of Rural India
Balendu Sharma Dadhich
11 Reform, Perform & Transform 
through Agri-Startups
Shreya Anand and Dr. Souvik Ghosh
24 Startups 
Towards Rural Water Security
Arunlal K.
18 Redefining Food Processing Sector 
through Startups
Dr. Ishita G. Tripathy
30 Startups as the Engine of Growth 
for North-East India
Dr. Sriparna B Baruah
44 Supporting Women-led 
Startups
B S Purkyastha
39 Championing Social Startups for 
Rural Development
Wase Khalid 
Priyatam Yasaswi
Page 3


A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 3 | Pages 52 | January 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003  
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ? ? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? Thiruvananthapuram - Press Road, 
Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. Towers, 
Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bengaluru - 
560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 (0612-2675823)  
? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) ? Ahmedabad - Sales 
Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad 
Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHIEF EDITOR 
Manogyan Rani Pal
EDITOR 
Shiela Chaudhary
JOINT DIRECTOR (PRODUCTION)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
COVER DESIGN
Rajender Kumar
EDITORIAL OFFICE
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals Unit 
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAX: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5
11
34
44
5 Redefining Rural Landscapes
Startups Paving the Way for 
Inclusive Development
Rohit Gupta
Ashish Pandey
34 Drone Revolution 
Changing the Face of Rural India
Balendu Sharma Dadhich
11 Reform, Perform & Transform 
through Agri-Startups
Shreya Anand and Dr. Souvik Ghosh
24 Startups 
Towards Rural Water Security
Arunlal K.
18 Redefining Food Processing Sector 
through Startups
Dr. Ishita G. Tripathy
30 Startups as the Engine of Growth 
for North-East India
Dr. Sriparna B Baruah
44 Supporting Women-led 
Startups
B S Purkyastha
39 Championing Social Startups for 
Rural Development
Wase Khalid 
Priyatam Yasaswi
The startups are an exemplar that great things are done by a series of small things 
brought together. The pulse of innovation in a country teeming with entrepreneurial fervor 
beats much beyond its urban boundaries. Entrepreneurs are fostering a revolution not only 
in urban areas but also in rural India's heartlands. The new wave of entrepreneurs and 
startups has taken upon themselves to lead the way for transforming the Rural India. This 
transformation, rooted in innovation and resilience, is shaping the contours of progress, 
underscoring the theme: Startups - Redefining Rural India.
The article ‘Reform, Perform & Transform through Agri-Startups’ explains how 
in the realm of Indian agriculture, startups emerge as beacons of hope for farmers facing 
challenges. The authors provide insight about the rising proliferation of Agri-Startups and 
their potentialities in leverage technology and instigate positive reforms. This comprehensive 
article further discusses about the Government’s proactive policies in Rural India fostering 
the growth and spirit of entrepreneurship. 
The food processing sector is extremely vital for an agrarian country like India. The 
article ‘Redefining Food Processing Sector through Startups’ endeavours to evaluate 
the growth chart of the food processing sector in India and the enhanced contribution of 
startups to this growth story . The author emphasises that for startups in the food processing 
sector to flourish, backward linkages with agriculture, fisheries, dairying, animal husbandry , 
etc. need to be strong.
This issue of Kurukshetra also delves into the inspiring narratives of startups that are 
not only thriving but also actively contributing to the transformation of rural India in the 
articles, ‘Startups: Towards Rural Water Security’ and ‘Championing Social Startups 
for Rural Development’. These articles examine that there has been a surge in the number 
of commercial and social enterprises addressing rural India's concerns.
Drones are making headlines for various reasons, including their potential to 
revolutionise Indian agriculture and rural economies. The author of the article ‘Drone 
Revolution: Changing the Face of Rural India’ elaborates how the Government is actively 
promoting a drone culture nationwide, and the field is witnessing remarkable innovations, 
ranging from cost-effectiveness to enhanced manageability and multipurpose functionality. 
India is about to witness a drone revolution that might change the rural economy and have 
a significant positive influence on millions of lives.
It becomes evident as we read through these insightful articles from subject experts that 
entrepreneurs are not only the agents of change but also the designers of a more promising 
and inclusive future for rural India. Come celebrate with us the spirit of entrepreneurship 
that is redefining the fundamental fabric of rural life.
With this issue, we wish our readers a very happy and prosperous 2024. Happy reading.
Page 4


A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 3 | Pages 52 | January 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003  
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ? ? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? Thiruvananthapuram - Press Road, 
Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. Towers, 
Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bengaluru - 
560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 (0612-2675823)  
? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) ? Ahmedabad - Sales 
Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad 
Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHIEF EDITOR 
Manogyan Rani Pal
EDITOR 
Shiela Chaudhary
JOINT DIRECTOR (PRODUCTION)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
COVER DESIGN
Rajender Kumar
EDITORIAL OFFICE
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals Unit 
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAX: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5
11
34
44
5 Redefining Rural Landscapes
Startups Paving the Way for 
Inclusive Development
Rohit Gupta
Ashish Pandey
34 Drone Revolution 
Changing the Face of Rural India
Balendu Sharma Dadhich
11 Reform, Perform & Transform 
through Agri-Startups
Shreya Anand and Dr. Souvik Ghosh
24 Startups 
Towards Rural Water Security
Arunlal K.
18 Redefining Food Processing Sector 
through Startups
Dr. Ishita G. Tripathy
30 Startups as the Engine of Growth 
for North-East India
Dr. Sriparna B Baruah
44 Supporting Women-led 
Startups
B S Purkyastha
39 Championing Social Startups for 
Rural Development
Wase Khalid 
Priyatam Yasaswi
The startups are an exemplar that great things are done by a series of small things 
brought together. The pulse of innovation in a country teeming with entrepreneurial fervor 
beats much beyond its urban boundaries. Entrepreneurs are fostering a revolution not only 
in urban areas but also in rural India's heartlands. The new wave of entrepreneurs and 
startups has taken upon themselves to lead the way for transforming the Rural India. This 
transformation, rooted in innovation and resilience, is shaping the contours of progress, 
underscoring the theme: Startups - Redefining Rural India.
The article ‘Reform, Perform & Transform through Agri-Startups’ explains how 
in the realm of Indian agriculture, startups emerge as beacons of hope for farmers facing 
challenges. The authors provide insight about the rising proliferation of Agri-Startups and 
their potentialities in leverage technology and instigate positive reforms. This comprehensive 
article further discusses about the Government’s proactive policies in Rural India fostering 
the growth and spirit of entrepreneurship. 
The food processing sector is extremely vital for an agrarian country like India. The 
article ‘Redefining Food Processing Sector through Startups’ endeavours to evaluate 
the growth chart of the food processing sector in India and the enhanced contribution of 
startups to this growth story . The author emphasises that for startups in the food processing 
sector to flourish, backward linkages with agriculture, fisheries, dairying, animal husbandry , 
etc. need to be strong.
This issue of Kurukshetra also delves into the inspiring narratives of startups that are 
not only thriving but also actively contributing to the transformation of rural India in the 
articles, ‘Startups: Towards Rural Water Security’ and ‘Championing Social Startups 
for Rural Development’. These articles examine that there has been a surge in the number 
of commercial and social enterprises addressing rural India's concerns.
Drones are making headlines for various reasons, including their potential to 
revolutionise Indian agriculture and rural economies. The author of the article ‘Drone 
Revolution: Changing the Face of Rural India’ elaborates how the Government is actively 
promoting a drone culture nationwide, and the field is witnessing remarkable innovations, 
ranging from cost-effectiveness to enhanced manageability and multipurpose functionality. 
India is about to witness a drone revolution that might change the rural economy and have 
a significant positive influence on millions of lives.
It becomes evident as we read through these insightful articles from subject experts that 
entrepreneurs are not only the agents of change but also the designers of a more promising 
and inclusive future for rural India. Come celebrate with us the spirit of entrepreneurship 
that is redefining the fundamental fabric of rural life.
With this issue, we wish our readers a very happy and prosperous 2024. Happy reading.
5 Kurukshetra         January  2024
Redefining Rural Landscapes
Startups Paving the Way for Inclusive Development
Riding on the digitisation wave, India has seen growth in startups catering to rural needs. With 
a customer base of 100 crore, rural India presents a massive opportunity for startups, especially 
in sectors like agritech, food processing, edtech, skill development, e-commerce, health-tech, 
renewable energy, handicrafts and traditional arts, and fintech.
tartup ecosystem of India has witnessed 
remarkable growth in the recent years, 
with a surge in innovative ventures 
addressing diverse challenges. India is 
the 3
rd
 largest startup ecosystem in the world, with 
more than 1 lakh registered startups (DPIIT – Startup 
India). Traditionally centered in urban hubs, the startup 
culture is now permeating the hinterlands, ushering in 
a new era of innovation and economic transformation. 
This phenomenon reflects a broader trend of 
S
decentralisation and inclusivity, where startups are 
leveraging technology to bridge the rural-urban divide.
The current scenario witnesses a surge in startups 
catering to rural needs, ranging from agritech and 
e-commerce platforms to healthcare and education 
services tailored for rural communities. These ventures 
not only address local challenges but also create 
employment opportunities, fostering sustainable 
development. The startup ecosystem as a whole, 
especially in rural areas, has seen unprecedented 
* Rohit Gupta
** Ashish Pandey
* The author is Program Director at Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India. Email: rohit.aim@nic.in
** The author is Young Professional at Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India. Email: ashishpandey.aim@nic.in
Page 5


A Journal on Rural Development 
Vol. 72 | No. 3 | Pages 52 | January 2024
Kurukshetra seeks to carry the message of 
Rural Development to all people. It serves as 
a forum for free, frank and serious discussion 
on the problems of Rural Development with 
special focus on Rural Uplift.
The views expressed by the authors in the 
articles are their own. They do not necessarily 
reflect the views of the Government or the 
organisations they work for.
The readers are requested to verify the claims 
in the advertisements regarding career 
guidance books/institutions. Kurukshetra 
does not own responsibility. Maps used are 
for illustration & study purpose and may not 
strictly conform to the official map. Images, 
graphics and illustrations, wherever used, are 
mostly sourced from government channels 
and are indicative in nature. Final Editing 
rights will vest with Kurukshetra Team.
Sales Emporia : ? Delhi - BM (I/c), Publications Division, CGO Complex, Soochna Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003  
(011-24365609); Hall No. 196, Old Secretariat, Delhi 110054 (011-23890205) ? Kolkata - 8, Esplanade East, Kolkata-700069 
(033-22482576) ? ? Mumbai - 701, C-Wing, 7
th
 Floor, Kendriya Sadan, Belapur, Navi Mumbai-400614 (022-27570686)  
? Chennai - ‘A’ Wing, Rajaji Bhawan, Besant Nagar, Chennai - 600090 (044-24917673) ? Thiruvananthapuram - Press Road, 
Near Govt. Press, Thiruvananthpuram - 6950001 (0471-2330650) ? Hyderabad - Room No. 204, 2
nd
 Floor, C.G.O. Towers, 
Kavadiguda, Hyderabad-500080 (040-27535383) ? Bengaluru - Floor, ‘F’ Wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bengaluru - 
560034 (080-25537244) ? Patna - Bihar State Co-operative, Bank Building, Ashoka Rajpath, Patna-800004 (0612-2675823)  
? Lucknow - Hall No. 1, 2
nd
 Floor, Kendriya Bhawan, sector – H, Aliganj, Lucknow - 226024 (0522-2325455) ? Ahmedabad - Sales 
Unit, Publications Division, 4-C, Neptune Tower, 4
th
 Floor, Nr HP Petrol Pump, Nehru Bridge Corner, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad 
Gujarat -380009 (079-26588669) 
CHIEF EDITOR 
Manogyan Rani Pal
EDITOR 
Shiela Chaudhary
JOINT DIRECTOR (PRODUCTION)
D.K.C. Hrudhainath
COVER DESIGN
Rajender Kumar
EDITORIAL OFFICE
Room No. 653,  
Publications Division,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 
Phone : 011-24362859  
Email : kurukshetrajournal@gmail.com
For Subscription Enquiries,  
Grievances, Renewals and Agency  
Information, Please Contact:
Journals Unit 
Publications Division, Room No. 779,  
Soochna Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex,  
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-6:00 PM)
Phone : 24367453, FAX: 24365610
Email : pdjucir@gmail.com
Website : publicationsdivision.nic.in
@publicationsdivision
@DPD_India
@dpd_India
For Online Sale, please log on to  
bharatkosh.gov.in/product, and for  
e-books, please visit Google Play  
or Amazon.
Subscription 
1 Year : ` 230
Contents
5
11
34
44
5 Redefining Rural Landscapes
Startups Paving the Way for 
Inclusive Development
Rohit Gupta
Ashish Pandey
34 Drone Revolution 
Changing the Face of Rural India
Balendu Sharma Dadhich
11 Reform, Perform & Transform 
through Agri-Startups
Shreya Anand and Dr. Souvik Ghosh
24 Startups 
Towards Rural Water Security
Arunlal K.
18 Redefining Food Processing Sector 
through Startups
Dr. Ishita G. Tripathy
30 Startups as the Engine of Growth 
for North-East India
Dr. Sriparna B Baruah
44 Supporting Women-led 
Startups
B S Purkyastha
39 Championing Social Startups for 
Rural Development
Wase Khalid 
Priyatam Yasaswi
The startups are an exemplar that great things are done by a series of small things 
brought together. The pulse of innovation in a country teeming with entrepreneurial fervor 
beats much beyond its urban boundaries. Entrepreneurs are fostering a revolution not only 
in urban areas but also in rural India's heartlands. The new wave of entrepreneurs and 
startups has taken upon themselves to lead the way for transforming the Rural India. This 
transformation, rooted in innovation and resilience, is shaping the contours of progress, 
underscoring the theme: Startups - Redefining Rural India.
The article ‘Reform, Perform & Transform through Agri-Startups’ explains how 
in the realm of Indian agriculture, startups emerge as beacons of hope for farmers facing 
challenges. The authors provide insight about the rising proliferation of Agri-Startups and 
their potentialities in leverage technology and instigate positive reforms. This comprehensive 
article further discusses about the Government’s proactive policies in Rural India fostering 
the growth and spirit of entrepreneurship. 
The food processing sector is extremely vital for an agrarian country like India. The 
article ‘Redefining Food Processing Sector through Startups’ endeavours to evaluate 
the growth chart of the food processing sector in India and the enhanced contribution of 
startups to this growth story . The author emphasises that for startups in the food processing 
sector to flourish, backward linkages with agriculture, fisheries, dairying, animal husbandry , 
etc. need to be strong.
This issue of Kurukshetra also delves into the inspiring narratives of startups that are 
not only thriving but also actively contributing to the transformation of rural India in the 
articles, ‘Startups: Towards Rural Water Security’ and ‘Championing Social Startups 
for Rural Development’. These articles examine that there has been a surge in the number 
of commercial and social enterprises addressing rural India's concerns.
Drones are making headlines for various reasons, including their potential to 
revolutionise Indian agriculture and rural economies. The author of the article ‘Drone 
Revolution: Changing the Face of Rural India’ elaborates how the Government is actively 
promoting a drone culture nationwide, and the field is witnessing remarkable innovations, 
ranging from cost-effectiveness to enhanced manageability and multipurpose functionality. 
India is about to witness a drone revolution that might change the rural economy and have 
a significant positive influence on millions of lives.
It becomes evident as we read through these insightful articles from subject experts that 
entrepreneurs are not only the agents of change but also the designers of a more promising 
and inclusive future for rural India. Come celebrate with us the spirit of entrepreneurship 
that is redefining the fundamental fabric of rural life.
With this issue, we wish our readers a very happy and prosperous 2024. Happy reading.
5 Kurukshetra         January  2024
Redefining Rural Landscapes
Startups Paving the Way for Inclusive Development
Riding on the digitisation wave, India has seen growth in startups catering to rural needs. With 
a customer base of 100 crore, rural India presents a massive opportunity for startups, especially 
in sectors like agritech, food processing, edtech, skill development, e-commerce, health-tech, 
renewable energy, handicrafts and traditional arts, and fintech.
tartup ecosystem of India has witnessed 
remarkable growth in the recent years, 
with a surge in innovative ventures 
addressing diverse challenges. India is 
the 3
rd
 largest startup ecosystem in the world, with 
more than 1 lakh registered startups (DPIIT – Startup 
India). Traditionally centered in urban hubs, the startup 
culture is now permeating the hinterlands, ushering in 
a new era of innovation and economic transformation. 
This phenomenon reflects a broader trend of 
S
decentralisation and inclusivity, where startups are 
leveraging technology to bridge the rural-urban divide.
The current scenario witnesses a surge in startups 
catering to rural needs, ranging from agritech and 
e-commerce platforms to healthcare and education 
services tailored for rural communities. These ventures 
not only address local challenges but also create 
employment opportunities, fostering sustainable 
development. The startup ecosystem as a whole, 
especially in rural areas, has seen unprecedented 
* Rohit Gupta
** Ashish Pandey
* The author is Program Director at Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India. Email: rohit.aim@nic.in
** The author is Young Professional at Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India. Email: ashishpandey.aim@nic.in
Kurukshetra         January  2024 6
growth with a big Government push since 2014, when 
the government launched schemes like Startup India, 
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), MeitY Startup Hub 
(MSH), BIRAC, and DST-supported schemes, among 
others. Many schemes were curated, especially to 
encourage rural entrepreneurship. Some of these 
schemes are listed below:
1. Atal Community Innovation Centres (under 
Atal Innovation Mission) – AIM’s ACIC initiative 
was launched in 2020, with the objective of 
creating community innovation centres for 
rural entrepreneurs. The initiative encourages 
grassroots innovation and directly supports 
community-based entrepreneurs by establishing 
enabling infrastructure in Academic Institutions 
and NGOs. Till now, AIM has established 14 
ACICs across the country that have cumulatively 
supported more than 200 community-based 
startups. 
2. Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme – 
Ministry of Rural Development is implementing 
Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme 
(SVEP) as a sub-scheme under the DAY-NRLM with 
the objective of helping the rural poor to set-up 
enterprises at the village level in non-agricultural 
sectors. A total of 1,97,168 enterprises across 23 
States/UTs have been supported so far.
3. Skill India Mission – Under this mission, Ministry 
of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 
(MSDE) has been delivering skills through various 
schemes viz. the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas 
Yojana (PMKVY) and the National Apprenticeship 
Promotion Scheme (NAPS), among others, 
majorly to rural youths across the country. Third 
party evaluations of these schemes have shown 
that 70.5% of PMKVY 2.0 beneficiaries (2016-20) 
received placement in their desired skill sector.
4. ASPIRE – The scheme implemented by Ministry 
of MSME aims to provide training and incubation 
support to prospective entrepreneurs in agro-rural 
sector through Livelihood Business Incubators 
(LBIs). As of FY 2022, 61 LBIs have become 
functional in the country. A total of 54,801 people 
have been trained in LBIs across the country, out 
of which 15169 trainees became self-employed 
and 8928 trainees got employed in other entities.
Startsups in Rural India 
Life away from Metros
More than 100 crore Indians, or around 65% of 
India, live in rural areas. A total of 63% of workers in rural 
areas are self-employed, 1.6 times that of urban areas, 
mostly in agriculture and allied sectors. This aspect 
defines the rural community and has huge significance 
in the rural way of life. The challenge for startups is 
to understand the intrinsic values of rural India and 
make products and solutions that build trust among 
the people, cater to their needs and aspirations, while 
simultaneously creating employment opportunities 
for them. While branding and marketing may work 
for startups in urban areas, trust and word-of-mouth 
publicity have always worked better for established 
companies and may hold true for startups operating in 
rural India as well. 
Role of Digitisation
Internet penetration and data accessibility have 
a huge role to play in developing startup ecosystems. 
India has one of the cheapest data rates in the world 
(USD 0.17 for 1 GB). Over 50% of Indians are internet 
users, out of which around 40 crore people reside in 
rural areas . By 2025, India will have 90 crore active 
internet users, and 56% of the new internet users 
will be from rural areas. Every farmer added to the 
digital ecosystem presents an opportunity for the 
application of new agri-based solutions; every rural-
based resident added presents an opportunity for 
financial inclusion; and every Tier 2/3 city resident 
added presents an opportunity for e-governance and 
e-commerce platforms. The digitisation of rural areas 
has been bolstered with government schemes like 
BharatNet, Common Service Centers (CSCs), Digital 
India Campaign, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital 
Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGdisha), and Digital Finance 
for Rural India, along with a vibrant private telecom 
sector.
Riding on the digitisation wave, India has seen 
growth in startups catering to rural needs. With a 
customer base of 100 crore, rural India presents 
a massive opportunity for startups, especially in 
sectors like agritech, food processing, edtech, skill 
development, e-commerce, health-tech, renewable 
energy, handicrafts and traditional arts, and fintech.