DPIIT Startup Recognition

Recognition from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Startup India initiative unlocks significant tax benefits and government scheme access. The application is free and takes about 15 minutes.

What DPIIT recognition unlocks

3-year income tax exemption

Section 80-IAC: 100% deduction on profits for any 3 years out of your first 10. Apply separately to IMB after recognition.

Angel tax exemption

Section 56(2)(viib): Funding from Indian investors is not taxed as income, regardless of fair market value. Apply before your first angel round.

SIDBI Seed Fund access

Up to ₹20 lakhs in seed funding from the SIDBI Startup India Seed Fund Scheme. Grants and soft loans for early-stage startups.

80% off patent fees

Reduced patent filing fees and fast-track examination. File patents early — protecting your IP is critical before scaling.

80% off trademark fees

₹4,500/class instead of ₹22,500/class. File within 3 years of recognition to use the discounted rate.

Government tender eligibility

Bid for government contracts without prior experience or turnover requirements — opens up a huge B2G market.

Labour law self-certification

Self-certify compliance for 9 labour laws and 3 environmental laws — reduces regulatory burden significantly.

Step-by-step guide

Check eligibility

5 min

Must be: registered as Pvt Ltd, LLP, or Partnership. Less than 10 years old. Turnover under ₹100 Crore in any FY. Working on an innovative/scalable product or service. Not formed by splitting an existing company.

Register on Startup India portal

10 min

Go to startupindia.gov.in → Sign up → Create a company profile. Use your CIN (for Pvt Ltd/OPC) or LLPIN (for LLP) and company PAN to register.

CIN / LLPINCompany PANDirector Aadhaar

Fill the recognition application

20–30 min

The most important section: describe your startup's innovation in 250 words. Be specific about (1) what problem you solve, (2) what's unique about your approach, (3) your target market. Vague descriptions get rejected.

Tip: Focus on the innovation angle, not just the business model. DPIIT recognises innovative startups, not just new businesses.

MOA / LLP AgreementCompany PAN cardPitch deck (optional but helps)Patents/IP if any

Submit and receive recognition

2–7 days

Submit the form. You'll receive an email confirmation immediately. The actual DPIIT Recognition Certificate arrives in 2–7 working days. Download and store it safely.

Apply for 80-IAC tax exemption (separate step)

3–6 months

DPIIT recognition ≠ tax exemption. You must separately apply to the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) for certification under Section 80-IAC. This is the step most founders miss.

Apply for 80-IAC certification even before you have profits. IMB approval can take 3–6 months — apply early so you're ready when profits come.

DPIIT Recognition CertificateITR for past 3 yearsAudited financial statementsBusiness plan / pitch deck

File trademark at 80% discount (optional)

Optional30 min to file; 12–18 months to register

With your recognition certificate, trademark filing costs ₹4,500/class (vs ₹22,500). File your brand name, logo, and tagline. Use a trademark attorney for best results.

DPIIT Recognition CertificateLogo in high resolutionBusiness class description

Ready to apply for DPIIT recognition?

It's free. Takes 15 minutes. The benefits are significant. Apply now.

Apply on Startup India →Set up my compliance calendar