Apply for Startup India Registration (DPIIT Recognition) and give your business a strong start. Eligible startups can enjoy tax benefits, easier compliance, and faster IPR support. Check if you qualify and apply today to access government support and grow your business with confidence and better opportunities ahead.
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Everything founders need to know about getting recognised as a startup by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade — eligibility, benefits, step-by-step process, and the landmark 2026 policy changes.
DPIIT Recognition is an official certification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It formally recognises a business as a “startup” under the Startup India initiative, unlocking a range of benefits that are not available to regular businesses.
Launched on January 16, 2016, the Startup India initiative was designed to build a strong, innovation-driven ecosystem that promotes growth and generates large-scale employment. The DPIIT Certificate of Recognition is the gateway credential to this ecosystem.
Once you hold a DPIIT Certificate of Recognition, you can then apply separately for additional benefits such as the Section 80-IAC income tax exemption, IPR fee rebates, and seed funding schemes.
A startup must meet certain criteria to be considered eligible for DPIIT Recognition
The period of existence and operations should not exceed 10 years from the date of incorporation.
Incorporated as a Private Limited Company, a Registered Partnership Firm, or a Limited Liability Partnership
Should have an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 100 crore for any of the financial years since its incorporation.
An entity should not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an already existing business.
Should work towards development or improvement of a product, process, or service and/or have a scalable business model with high potential for the creation of wealth and employment.
Your company must meet the following criteria to be considered eligible for DPIIT startup recognition.
We help plan and prepare for Startup India Registration, draft documents, and file with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the government of India Startup India Initiatives.
Organisation DSC is mandatory Now
From November 2023. To Apply for Startup India Registration, Organisation Digital Signature Certificate is mandatory. So before proceeding for Startup India Registration make sure you have organisation DSC.
Updated financial statements (Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss statement, Income Tax Returns) for the past three years or from the year of incorporation
Note 1 – The Balance Sheet and the Profit and Loss Statement must be CA Certified
Note 2 – If your startup was incorporated on 1st April 2021 or later, Income Tax Returns (ITR) is not mandatory. For startups incorporated earlier, ITR is mandatory
The government also provides lists of facilitators of patents and trademarks. They will provide high-quality Intellectual Property Right Services including fast examination of patents at lower fees. The government will bear all facilitator fees and the startup will bear only the statutory fees. They will enjoy 80% reduction in the cost of filing patents.
Startups will be exempted from income tax for 3 years provided they get a certification from Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB).
Eligibility Criteria for Tax Exemption under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act: The entity should be a DPIIT recognized Startup. Aggregate amount of paid up share capital and share premium of the Startup after the proposed issue of share, if any, does not exceed INR 25 Crore
Registered startups can access various funding opportunities such as government schemes, angel investors, venture capitalists, and incubators.
Startups can apply for government tenders. They are exempted from the “prior experience/turnover” criteria applicable for normal companies answering to government tenders.
Startups registered under Startup India can avail of various government support services such as access to incubators, research and development facilities, and marketing support.
Registered startups can access networking opportunities with other startups, industry experts, and mentors through various events and programs organized by Startup India.
Various compliances have been simplified for startups to save time and money. Startups shall be allowed to self-certify compliance (through the Startup mobile app) with 9 labour and 3 environment laws.
The government has proposed to hold 2 startup fests annually both nationally and internationally to enable the various stakeholders of a startup to meet. This will provide huge networking opportunities.
1. Create an account on NSWS
Visit nsws.gov.in and create a business account. If you already have an investor or business account, log in directly.
2 Add “Registration as a Startup” to your dashboard
On the NSWS dashboard, click “Add Approvals” → “Central Approvals.” Search for and add the “Registration as a Startup” application.
3 Fill in the application form
Enter company details including: nature of entity, industry and sector, incorporation date, PAN, registration number, and a detailed description of your innovation and business model.
4 Upload required documents
Upload your Certificate of Incorporation, director/partner details, and any supporting documents for your innovation claims.
5 Submit and receive recognition number
Upon successful submission, you receive an immediate recognition number. The formal Certificate of Recognition is typically issued within 2–10 working days after document review.
6 Apply for individual schemes
With your DPIIT Certificate in hand, apply separately for Section 80-IAC tax exemption (via the Startup India portal), IPR benefits (via empanelled facilitators), and funding schemes.
⚠️ DPIIT recognition and Section 80-IAC tax exemption are two completely separate processes. Getting recognition does not automatically grant you the tax holiday — you must file a separate application to the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB). IMB approval typically takes 3–12 months.
The Section 80-IAC tax holiday is perhaps the most financially significant benefit of the Startup India ecosystem. It allows eligible startups to claim a 100% deduction on profits for any 3 consecutive assessment years within the first 10 years since incorporation.
Key update from Union Budget 2025-26: The incorporation cut-off date for 80-IAC eligibility has been extended to March 31, 2030. Startups incorporated up to that date — and which subsequently get DPIIT recognition — can access this benefit.
Only Private Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) are eligible for the 80-IAC tax holiday. Registered Partnership Firms and Cooperative Societies are not currently eligible for this specific benefit, though they can still access all other DPIIT recognition benefits.
After receiving your DPIIT Certificate of Recognition, apply for the Certificate of Eligibility via the Startup India portal at startupindia.gov.in. This triggers a review by the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB), which evaluates whether your startup genuinely qualifies. IMB approval typically takes 3–12 months. Once approved, you can claim the three-year tax holiday in any consecutive years of your choosing within the first 10 years.
The eligibility criteria for Startup India registration are as follows:
The benefits of Startup India registration include tax exemptions, access to government schemes, easier winding up of the company, self-certification compliance, access to funding, and various other benefits aimed at supporting the growth of startups.
DPIIT recognition refers to the recognition granted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to startups in India. It is a prerequisite for availing various benefits and incentives under the Startup India initiative.
Once you have registered your startup with Startup India, you can apply for DPIIT recognition. The application process is online and can be completed through the Startup India website.
The registration process typically takes around 7-10 working days for review and processing. However, the timeline may vary based on the workload and processing efficiency of the authorities.
A proprietorship or a public limited company is not eligible as startup. A one person company, being a private limited company is entitled to be recognized as a ‘startup’.
Yes. One Person Companies are eligible to avail benefits under the Startup India initiative.
No . Proprietorship and unregistered partnership firm are not eligible to avail benefits under the Startup India initiative.
The certificate of recognition is issued typically within 2 working days upon successful submission of the application.
Eligibility Criteria for Startup India Scheme
No, only Indian entities are eligible for Startup India registration. However, foreign investors and venture capital funds can support and invest in Indian startups.
Recognized startups are eligible for a number of tax benefits, including the following: exemption from capital gains tax on sale of shares, exemption from dividend distribution tax, and exemption from income tax on profits for the first three years.
There are a number of other government schemes and programs available to startups, including the following: the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme, the Startup India Innovation Challenge, and the Startup India Mentorship Program.
The certificate of recognition is issued typically within 2 working days upon successful submission of the application.
Apply for Startup India Registration (DPIIT Recognition) and unlock benefits for your business growth.
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