MeitY says it has no regulatory control or endorsement role in startup operations

New Delhi/Bengaluru

The MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) has clarified that it does not exercise any operational, managerial, supervisory, or regulatory control over the business activities of startups, including their websites, advertisements, search engine practices, applications, or commercial conduct.

In an official response, MSH stated that participation of startups or their representatives in events, programmes, or ecosystem activities supported by the Hub does not amount to endorsement, approval, certification, or validation of their products, services, or business practices. The agency underlined that its engagement with startups is strictly limited to scheme-based support.

MSH further said that allegations relating to cyber incidents, misuse of online platforms, advertisements, gaming activities, fraud, or other regulatory or criminal matters fall outside its mandate and are handled by competent authorities under the applicable legal and regulatory framework.

The clarification was issued while responding to a petition filed to the Government of India (GoI) involving alleged irregularities by a private company and interpol. The grievance was examined by MeitY Startup Hub based on records available with the office.

According to MSH, its role is limited to functioning as an implementing agency under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for startup ecosystem support schemes, primarily through grant assistance routed via designated incubators, in accordance with approved guidelines.

“As per records available with this office, there is no information indicating any role, involvement, or operational linkage of MSH in the matters alleged in the grievance,” the response stated.

In view of this, MSH concluded that the grievance does not pertain to its jurisdiction and that no further action is warranted at its level. The grievance has accordingly been disposed of, the agency said.