DPIIT Startup Recognition
A programme by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)
A free recognition certificate from DPIIT for eligible companies, LLPs, registered partnership firms and cooperative societies, which the other Startup India benefits depend on.
At a glance
| Best for | Incorporated Indian entities building a startup business |
|---|---|
| Format | Online |
| Cost | Free |
About DPIIT Startup Recognition
DPIIT recognition is a status certificate, not funding. It is the gate for the seed fund, the loan guarantee, the tax exemption, the patent and trademark rebates and the procurement relaxations described on this page. DPIIT issues it directly and has appointed no agents.
What you get
- A DPIIT Certificate of Recognition as a startup
- Eligibility to apply for the benefits that require recognition
Who can apply
- Private limited companies, registered partnership firms, LLPs and cooperative societies
- Entities that meet the startup definition in the government's G.S.R. 108(E) notification
- Up to 10 years from incorporation, or up to 20 years for deeptech
- Not formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business
- At least 51 percent shareholding by Indian promoters
- Sole proprietorships and entities incorporated outside India are not eligible
- Annual turnover limits also apply; the portal sets them out
How to apply: Apply yourself on the National Single Window System. Create an account, add the Registration as a Startup application to your dashboard, then fill it in and submit. DPIIT charges no fee for the certificate.
Where to apply
Other DPIIT programmes
- Income Tax Exemption under Section 80-IACAn income tax exemption for three consecutive financial years out of the first ten, for eligible DPIIT-recognised private limited companies and LLPs.
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)Seed support for proof of concept, prototypes, product trials, market entry and commercialisation, paid out to startups through incubators that DPIIT selects.
- Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)A guarantee given to lenders on loans to DPIIT-recognised startups; the startup borrows from the lender and receives nothing from DPIIT.
- Startup India Fund of FundsGovernment money placed in SEBI-registered investment funds that invest in DPIIT-recognised startups; startups do not apply to it.
- Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP)Empanelled facilitators help recognised startups file patents, trademarks and designs, with a rebate of 80 percent on patent filing and 50 percent on trademark filing.
- Self-certification under labour and environment lawsRecognised startups can self-certify compliance with six labour laws and three environmental laws, with no labour inspections for five years.
- Easier public procurement for recognised startupsRecognised startups can register as sellers on the Government e-Marketplace and are exempt from earnest money deposits or bid security in government tenders.
- Bharat Startup Grand ChallengeA platform, launched 16 January 2025, where outside companies and institutions post problem statements and startups submit solutions; none was open on 7 October 2026.
- National Startup AwardsDPIIT's awards for startups and ecosystem enablers; winners get a cash prize. No open call was found on 7 October 2026.
- MAARG mentorship platformA national platform where startups and mentors connect, with matchmaking across sectors.
- Startup India Investor ConnectA platform that matches startups with investors using AI-based matchmaking; it is not a fund and takes no part in securities transactions.
- BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry)A digital registry where founders, mentors, investors and other ecosystem members create profiles and connect.
- TEJASA Startup India initiative to strengthen startup ecosystems across 132 districts, with a focus on youth, women, students and first-time founders.
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