Over 10% economic growth possible for India: Finance Minister

India can achieve economic growth of more than 10%, but reaching that level will require stronger efforts across sectors, including startups, technology and agriculture, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday.

Speaking at a fireside chat at Sangam 2026, the annual fest of the IIT Madras Alumni Association in Bengaluru, Sitharaman said higher growth would accelerate India’s journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

“It is possible for us to reach 10-plus growth. I am not just saying it to pep you all up. It is possible, but it would require a lot more effort from all stakeholders,” she said.

Sitharaman said India had significant headroom to raise growth by opening new avenues for talent and technology and applying innovation to persistent economic challenges. The startup ecosystem, which has expanded rapidly since 2015, could make a much larger contribution to economic growth in the coming years, she said.