Government Recognition Program

Get DPIIT Recognised.
Unlock India's Startup Ecosystem.

DPIIT recognition gives your startup tax holidays, patent fee rebates, fast-track compliance, and credibility with investors and government procurement — all through a single online application.

Apply for DPIIT Recognition See the Process
1.4L+
DPIIT Recognised Startups
3-Year
Income Tax Holiday (80-IAC)
80%
Patent & Trademark Fee Rebate
10-Year
Compliance Relaxation Window

Benefits

What DPIIT Recognition Gives You

Six government-mandated benefits that reduce your tax burden, cut compliance overhead, and open doors that are closed to unrecognised companies.

  • 1
    3-Year Income Tax Exemption (Section 80-IAC) Zero income tax on profits for any three consecutive years within the first ten years of incorporation, subject to IMB approval.
  • 2
    80% Rebate on Patent and Trademark Fees Steep fee reduction at the Indian Patent Office and Trade Marks Registry — saving recognised startups lakhs across a typical IP portfolio.
  • 3
    Self-Certification Under 6 Labour Laws Avoid routine government inspections under six central labour laws for five years from incorporation — replaced by self-declaration.
  • 4
    Priority in Government Procurement Tenders Exemption from prior turnover and work experience criteria when bidding on central and state government contracts — levelling the playing field against established vendors.
  • 5
    ESOP Taxation Deferred to Sale or Exercise Employees pay tax on ESOPs only when they sell shares or exercise options — not at the point of allotment — improving hiring and retention economics.
  • 6
    90-Day Winding Up Under IBC If required, recognised startups can wind down in 90 days under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code versus the 2+ year process for standard companies.
Startup team celebrating DPIIT recognition

Over 1,40,000 startups are currently DPIIT recognised. Each recognition unlocks a distinct set of tax and compliance advantages with no ongoing fee or renewal requirement.

Financial Impact

Benefits Breakdown

Translating each recognition benefit into concrete financial and operational value for your startup.

Benefit What It Means Estimated Value
80-IAC Tax Holiday 3 consecutive years of zero income tax on net profits, applicable for any three years in the first decade of operations Save ₹15–50L+ per year
Patent Fee Rebate 80% reduction on filing, examination, and grant fees at the Indian Patent Office for each patent application ₹60,000+ saved per patent
Self-Certification Labour Laws Skip routine inspections under 6 central labour laws for 5 years — reduce compliance calendar and legal risk significantly Operational flexibility
Government Tender Priority Exemption from prior turnover and experience criteria — compete directly against large incumbents on government contracts Access ₹25,000Cr+ market
ESOP Tax Deferral Employee tax liability on ESOPs shifts from allotment date to exercise or sale — reduces cash drain at vesting Improved team cash flow
Faster Winding Up 90-day insolvency process under IBC rather than the standard 2-year+ company dissolution — gives founders and investors clean exit optionality Exit clarity

Eligibility

Do You Qualify?

DPIIT recognition has clear qualifying and disqualifying criteria. Understanding them before you apply saves time and avoids rejection.

Qualifying Criteria

Entity incorporated within the last 10 years from date of application

Annual turnover has not exceeded ₹100 crore in any financial year since incorporation

Working towards innovation, development, or improvement of products, services, or processes; or has a scalable business model

Incorporated as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership Firm under Indian law

Disqualifying Factors

Entity was formed by splitting or restructuring an existing business

Annual turnover has crossed ₹100 crore in any prior year

Entity is older than 10 years from the date of incorporation

Registered as a sole proprietorship — not eligible under the DPIIT framework

Documentation

Documents You Will Need

Prepare these documents before starting your application. Incomplete submissions are the leading cause of DPIIT query letters and delays.

Certificate of Incorporation

Issued by MCA — confirms entity type, name, CIN, and date of registration

PAN of the Entity

Permanent Account Number issued to the company or LLP — not the promoter's personal PAN

Directors / Partners Details

Name, DIN/PAN, and designation of all directors (Pvt Ltd) or designated partners (LLP)

Business Description (Innovation Focus)

500–1000 word description explaining the innovative nature or scalable model of your business — the most critical document for approval

Website URL or Pitch Deck

A working website URL or pitch deck demonstrating the product, market, and traction

Trademark / Patent Details (if any)

Application numbers for any trademark or patent filed — strengthens the innovation narrative significantly

Funding Details (if applicable)

Term sheet, SAFE note, or investment round details — not mandatory but beneficial for credibility with DPIIT reviewers

Step-by-Step

How the Application Works

The DPIIT recognition application is entirely online through the Startup India portal. Here is every step in sequence.

1

Create Your Account on Startup India Portal

Register at startupindia.gov.in using your entity email. Verify your email address to activate the applicant dashboard.

~10 minutes
2

Enter Entity Details and Incorporation Information

Fill in your company name, CIN or LLPIN, date of incorporation, sector, and registered address exactly as they appear in MCA records.

~20 minutes
3

Write Your Business Description (Innovation Focus)

Articulate how your business innovates, disrupts, or offers a scalable model. This is the section most reviewed by DPIIT — clarity and specificity matter.

Most critical step
4

Upload Certificate of Incorporation and PAN

Attach your MOA/AOA or LLP Agreement, Certificate of Incorporation, and entity PAN card. File sizes must be under 2MB each in PDF format.

Documents upload
5

Self-Declaration by Authorised Signatory

The Director (for Pvt Ltd) or Designated Partner (for LLP) digitally confirms all submitted details are accurate and the entity meets eligibility criteria.

Digital signature
6

Submit Application on Startup India Portal

Review all entries for accuracy before final submission. Once submitted, DPIIT officials review the application — no changes are allowed post-submission.

Final submission
7

DPIIT Certificate Issued

Upon approval, your DPIIT Recognition Certificate is generated on the Startup India portal and emailed to your registered address. Typical timeline: 7 to 15 working days.

7–15 working days

After Recognition

What to Do Post-Recognition

DPIIT recognition is the starting point. These are the three actions every recognised startup should take next.

Maintain Eligibility

Track your entity age (10-year cap) and annual turnover (₹100Cr cap) every financial year. Crossing either threshold changes your status under the DPIIT framework, though benefits already availed are not reversed.

Annual Portal Update

Log in to the Startup India portal annually to update your business profile, revenue figures, team size, and product status. An up-to-date profile improves visibility to government programs, incubators, and investors browsing the startup directory.

Apply for 80-IAC Tax Holiday

DPIIT recognition is a prerequisite — but the 3-year income tax holiday under Section 80-IAC requires a separate application to the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB). File after completing one full year of profitable operations. Naraway's team can guide you through this next step.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions founders ask most before filing for DPIIT recognition.

Is DPIIT recognition the same as Startup India registration?

No, they are related but distinct. Startup India registration refers to creating your profile on the Startup India portal (startupindia.gov.in). DPIIT recognition is the formal government certificate granted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade after reviewing your application. You must register on the portal first, then apply for DPIIT recognition. Only after receiving the DPIIT certificate are you eligible for benefits like the 80-IAC tax holiday, patent fee rebates, and government tender exemptions.

Do I need a CA or lawyer to apply for DPIIT recognition?

DPIIT recognition is technically a self-application process on the Startup India portal, and you do not legally require a CA or lawyer to file it. However, the business description — specifically articulating the innovative or scalable nature of your business — is the most common reason for rejection. A professional who understands what DPIIT looks for can significantly improve your chances of approval on the first attempt. Naraway handles the complete filing including the critical business description, document preparation, and portal submission.

What happens if my turnover crosses ₹100 crore after recognition?

Once your startup's annual turnover exceeds ₹100 crore in any financial year, you cease to qualify as a 'startup' under the DPIIT definition. Your existing DPIIT recognition does not automatically get revoked, but you are no longer eligible for new benefits under the startup framework. Importantly, benefits already availed — such as tax exemptions claimed under Sec 80-IAC for prior years — are not clawed back. You should update your Startup India portal profile accordingly and consult a tax advisor about your changed status.

How long does the DPIIT recognition process take?

The DPIIT recognition process typically takes 7 to 15 working days from the date of complete application submission on the Startup India portal. Applications are reviewed by DPIIT officials. If additional information or documents are requested, the timeline may extend. The most common delay factors are an unclear or generic business description (which triggers a query from DPIIT), missing documents, or mismatches between the incorporation certificate and portal entries. With a well-prepared application, most startups receive their certificate within 10 working days.

Can an LLP apply for DPIIT recognition?

Yes, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) can apply for and receive DPIIT recognition, provided it meets all eligibility criteria: incorporated within the last 10 years, annual turnover below ₹100 crore, and working on an innovative or scalable business model. LLPs are explicitly listed as eligible entities alongside Private Limited Companies and Registered Partnership Firms. However, the Sec 80-IAC income tax holiday specifically requires the entity to be a Private Limited Company. LLPs recognised by DPIIT can still avail all other benefits such as patent fee rebates, self-certification under labour laws, and government tender priority.

Get Started

Get DPIIT Recognised in 7-15 Days

Our team handles your complete application — from business description to portal submission — so you can focus on building, not paperwork.

Talk to an Expert: +91-6398924106
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