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DPIIT Startup India Recognition Online

Apply for DPIIT recognition under the Startup India initiative — fully online from anywhere in India. Unlock the Section 80-IAC 3-year tax holiday, angel-tax exemption under Section 56(2)(viib), 80% IPR fee discount, and fast-track patent examination. Crafted writeup that maximises approval odds.

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10Years recognition validity 3 Yrs80-IAC tax holiday 10 YrsEligibility window 80%Patent fee rebate
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How do you get DPIIT Startup India recognition?

To get DPIIT (Startup India) recognition, the entity must be a Private Limited Company, LLP or Registered Partnership, under 10 years old, with annual turnover below ₹100 crore, working towards innovation or a scalable business model, and not formed by splitting up an existing business. You register on the Startup India portal, apply for DPIIT recognition with incorporation details and a note on your innovation, and receive the Certificate of Recognition. This unlocks a 3-year income-tax exemption under Section 80-IAC (on separate approval), angel-tax exemption under Section 56(2)(viib), self-certification on labour/environment laws, IPR fast-tracking and public-procurement relaxations.

Are you eligible for DPIIT recognition?

DPIIT recognition is granted only to eligible entities working on innovation, improvement of products/services, or scalable business models with high potential for employment generation or wealth creation. The eligibility test is strict — but if you meet all four criteria, recognition is virtually automatic.

Entity Type

  • Private Limited Company, OR
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), OR
  • Registered Partnership Firm
  • Proprietorship — NOT eligible
  • Section 8 / Co-operative — NOT eligible

Age & Turnover

  • Less than 10 years from incorporation
  • Turnover within the prescribed DPIIT cap in any FY since incorporation
  • Cannot be formed by splitting / reconstructing existing business
  • Cannot be a subsidiary of a non-startup

Innovation Test

  • Working on innovation / improvement of products / services / processes, OR
  • A scalable business model with high potential of employment / wealth generation
  • Mere replication of existing business won't qualify

The Pan-India Edge

  • State-of-incorporation doesn't matter
  • Same approval rate across India
  • No state quota / preference
  • Filed centrally on startupindia.gov.in

Why DPIIT is worth every rupee in fees

DPIIT recognition is more than a certificate — it's a gateway to substantial tangible savings over the company's first decade across taxes, IPR, public procurement and labour-law self-certification, if used fully.

01

3-Year Tax Holiday under Section 80-IAC

100% income tax exemption on profits for any 3 consecutive years out of the first 10 years of incorporation. Requires a separate Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) approval — we file Form-1 alongside DPIIT.

02

Angel Tax Exemption — Section 56(2)(viib)

Premium received on share allotment is not treated as income from other sources — saving up to 31.2% tax (incl. surcharge & cess) on every angel/seed round above fair-market-value premium.

03

IPR Fee Discounts

80% rebate on patent filing fees and 50% rebate on trademark fees vs standard rates. Fast-tracked patent examination — saving 12-18 months. Substantial savings if you build a brand or patent portfolio.

04

Self-Certification — 9 Labour & Environmental Laws

For the first 5 years, you can self-certify compliance under 6 labour laws and 3 environmental laws — no inspections unless credible complaint received. Massive overhead saving.

05

Public Procurement Easements

Exemption from prior-turnover and prior-experience criteria in central government tenders. Listing eligibility on GeM Startup Runway, India's largest govt e-marketplace.

06

Easy Wind-Down

Fast-track winding up under Section 59 of the IBC — 90 days vs traditional 12-18 months. Cleaner exit option if the venture doesn't work out.

How DPIIT recognition works — online

Recognition is typically granted in 7-15 working days. The 80-IAC tax holiday takes a separate 90-180 day Inter-Ministerial Board review.

1

Eligibility Review

We review your COI, MOA/AOA/LLP agreement, financials, and product/service description to confirm DPIIT eligibility before filing — 100% approval-readiness check.

2

Pitch Note Drafting

We craft the innovation/scalability writeup, 5-year financial projections, and supporting documents — citing the DPIIT criteria explicitly. This is the #1 reason applications get rejected.

3

DPIIT Application

Filing on startupindia.gov.in with full company profile, founder details, product writeup and supporting links. Recognition certificate typically issued in 7-15 working days.

4

80-IAC Form-1 (Optional)

Once DPIIT-recognised, we file Form-1 to the IMB for the 3-year tax holiday — supported by audited financials, business model deck, and innovation justification.

DPIIT applications — pan-India

Startup India is centrally administered — your state of incorporation doesn't affect approval rates. We've helped startups across these hubs get recognised:

Bangalore
Mumbai
Delhi NCR (Gurgaon, Noida)
Hyderabad
Chennai
Pune
Kolkata
Ahmedabad
Jaipur
Indore
Coimbatore
Kochi
Bhubaneswar
Visakhapatnam
Chandigarh
All Tier-2 / Tier-3 hubs
Based in Vidarbha?  Our office is in Manewada, Nagpur. Locals can use our local Startup India / DPIIT page for in-person consultation, or check our Wardha and Amravati service areas.

Complete the startup stack — pan-India

DPIIT Recognition — FAQs

Can I apply online from any city?

Yes — DPIIT recognition is 100% online via startupindia.gov.in. We deliver across India without ever meeting clients in person.

How long does it take?

DPIIT recognition: 7-15 working days. Section 80-IAC tax holiday: 90-180 days (separate IMB review).

What is the 80-IAC tax holiday?

100% income tax exemption on profits for 3 consecutive years out of the first 10 years from incorporation. Requires separate IMB approval.

Can a service-based company qualify?

Yes — services are eligible if they involve innovation/improvement, technology, or scalable employment generation. Pure trading/reselling isn't eligible.

Why do applications get rejected?

Top three reasons: (1) weak innovation/scalability writeup, (2) entity formed by splitting/reconstructing existing business, (3) ineligible structure.

Can DPIIT-recognised companies still get angel investment?

Absolutely — DPIIT recognition specifically removes the angel-tax exposure on premium received. It makes you more attractive to angels.

Apply for DPIIT Recognition from Anywhere in India

Free 30-minute eligibility call before we start. We won't take an engagement we can't get approved. WhatsApp or call to schedule.

Engagement deliverables

  • ✓ Eligibility assessment
  • ✓ Innovation/scalability writeup
  • ✓ DPIIT portal filing
  • ✓ DPIIT recognition certificate
  • ✓ 80-IAC Form-1 application (optional add-on)
  • ✓ Benefits utilisation roadmap
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