Software Technology Park (STP) Scheme
A programme by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) (Software Technology Parks of India)
A rolling registration for 100% export-oriented software units, with single-window clearance and duty-free imports.
At a glance
| Best for | Companies exporting software or IT-enabled services from India |
|---|---|
| Format | In person |
| Cost | No equity |
| Run with | MeitY |
About Software Technology Park (STP) Scheme
The STP Scheme is a 100% export-oriented scheme for developing and exporting computer software, including professional services exported over communication links or on physical media. It is a unit registration rather than a cohort, and it is open all year. STPI administers it as the implementing body under MeitY.
What you get
- Approvals under a single-window clearance system
- A unit may be set up anywhere in India
- Duty-free import of hardware and software, including second-hand capital goods, and re-export of capital goods is permitted
- Simplified minimum export performance norms, stated as positive net foreign exchange earnings
- Sales into the domestic tariff area are permissible
- GST refund on capital goods bought domestically
- 100% foreign equity permitted, with free repatriation of capital, know-how fees, royalty and dividend after taxes
- 100% depreciation on computers and peripherals over five years
Who can apply
- Companies exporting computer software or IT-enabled professional services
How selection works: projects are approved under the single-window clearance system, with jurisdictional STPI authorities clearing smaller Indian-investment projects themselves.
How to apply: through the online registration link on STPI's statutory services page, with your jurisdictional directorate. SOFTEX submissions have their own online link on the same page.
Where to apply
Other STPI programmes
- Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS)STPI's national incubation scheme for software product startups, run from twelve Tier-II centres and entered by winning a CHUNAUTI challenge.
- CHUNAUTI (NextGen Start-up Challenge)STPI's recurring national startup challenge and the way into NGIS incubation; ten editions have run and it is currently between calls.
- LEAP AHEADA three-month hybrid growth programme run with TiE Delhi-NCR for startups that already have revenue; the second edition closed in January 2025.
- STPI Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoE) networkA national network of domain-specific incubation centres, each built with a state government and industry partners, each running its own calls.
- Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) SchemeThe hardware twin of the STP scheme — a rolling registration for 100% export-oriented electronics manufacturing units.
- SAYUJSTPI's free networking and resource-discovery platform, and where its Centres of Entrepreneurship publish their calls and contests.