The Finance Minister stated that government support must go beyond mere financing, demanding the rapid implementation of relevant technologies with practical public applications in districts and government institutions.
At the Rajasthan Youth Summit 2026 in Jaipur, Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that government support for startups should not be limited to providing funds. Technologies addressing public needs must be quickly utilized in government hospitals and other facilities.
Speaking with founders and beneficiaries of startups, Sitharaman noted: 'Startup ideas, no matter how relevant they are, require government support, political backing, and funding. But what is even more important is that such ideas must be implemented immediately.'
She cited an artificial intelligence-based technology developed for the early detection of developmental issues in children. The startup's founder reported that the technology has been implemented in 30 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in Rajasthan, and over 1500 families have received assistance so far.
This technology uses a three-minute video assessment to determine the need for further child development support. The goal was to make such screening more accessible to families living outside major urban centers, where specialized assessment can be costly and time-consuming.
Sitharaman highly praised the Government of Rajasthan for financially supporting the startup through the iStart program, as well as for integrating its technology into the public healthcare system. She stressed the importance of disseminating these solutions 'to every district.'
Furthermore, she highlighted the potential of AI in the banking sector during a meeting with the founder of the Rajasthan startup Advarisk. This startup uses AI to assist financial institutions in detecting potential fraud and monitoring credit risk.
According to the startup, it collaborates with over 100 financial organizations, helping to proactively identify fraud to reduce credit costs and non-performing assets, while also ensuring access to lower-interest loans for deserving MSMEs and individuals.
The Minister described such technology as having national significance, stating that solutions created by Rajasthan startups should be available to banks and financial institutions across the country. She also emphasized the role of startups in simplifying access to financial products and encouraged self-help groups to expand beyond traditional sources of income by exploring areas such as warehousing and cold storage, supported by bank financing.



