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Startup India (DPIIT) recognition: eligibility, benefits and steps

DPIIT recognition makes your company, LLP or registered partnership an official startup, and lets you apply for tax and other benefits under Startup India.

The short answer

DPIIT recognition makes your company, LLP or registered partnership an official startup, and lets you apply for tax and other benefits under Startup India.

Source: startupindia.gov.in. Not yet matched to an official page; confirm on the official portal before paying.

Official fees

ServiceFee
DPIIT recognition certificateFree

Checked on 18 Oct 2026 Source

Same fee in every state and city. It is set by the central government.

Documents to keep ready

Tick what you already have. The shared list shows each one as ready or pending.

How to apply

  1. Incorporate as a Private Limited company, LLP or registered partnership first
  2. Create an investor account on nsws.gov.in
  3. Add Registration as a Startup from Central Approvals on the dashboard
  4. Fill in the application and upload the documents
  5. Submit and wait for the DPIIT certificate of recognition
  6. Apply for the 80-IAC tax exemption on the Startup India portal if you qualify
  7. Use recognition for other benefits such as easier public procurement
Good to know
  • DPIIT says it does not charge any fee for the recognition certificate or the certificate of eligibility. Do not pay an agent.
  • Turnover must stay under ₹200 crore (₹300 crore for DeepTech) in earlier years.
  • Only a Private Limited company or an LLP can get the 80-IAC tax holiday: 3 consecutive years out of the first 10.
  • A business formed by splitting or rebuilding an existing business is not a startup.

After you apply

What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.

Track your application

Typical time

Depends on DPIIT's review

Not officially verified

If you do not have it or miss the deadline

There is no penalty for not getting DPIIT recognition. You only lose the benefits that need it.

Law: Startup India scheme, DPIIT

Not officially verified Source

Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them

ReasonHow to fix it
Entity does not meet the definition (age, turnover or structure)Check the eligibility criteria on the Startup India page before applying.
Innovation or scalability not explainedDescribe your product, how it is different and how it can create jobs or wealth.
Incorporation details not mapped to the profileEnter the correct CIN or registration number when asked.

Not officially verified

Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.

Common questions

Who is eligible for DPIIT startup recognition?
A Private Limited company, LLP, registered partnership firm or cooperative society, under 10 years old (20 for DeepTech), with turnover under ₹200 crore (₹300 crore for DeepTech), working on innovation and with the potential to create jobs or wealth.
What are the benefits of Startup India recognition?
Self certification, faster IPR processing, easier winding up, easier public procurement norms and the option to apply for the 80-IAC income tax holiday for 3 years out of 10. See the Startup India site.
How much does DPIIT recognition cost?
Nothing. DPIIT states that the Ministry does not charge any fee for the certificate of recognition.

Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal

Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.

Startup India recognition kaise le?
nsws.gov.in par account banakar Registration as a Startup chunein, details aur documents bharein. Pehle company, LLP ya registered partnership honi chahiye.
DPIIT recognition ki fees kitni hai?
Koi fees nahi. DPIIT ke hisaab se Ministry recognition certificate ke liye koi fees nahi leti.
Startup India ke faayde kya hain?
Self certification, IPR mein tezi, aasaan winding up, public procurement mein chhoot aur 80-IAC income tax holiday ke liye apply karne ka option.
Startup India recognition ka application status kaise check karein?
Official link par application ya reference number daalkar status dekhein. Link upar 'After you apply' mein diye hain: Startup India recognition and status, NSWS dashboard. Apply karne ke baad kam se kam utna time rukein: Depends on DPIIT's review.
Startup India recognition ka application reject ho jaye to kya karein?
Portal par likhi wajah padhein, galat ya dhundhle document badalkar dobara apply karein. Sabse aam wajah aur unka solution upar 'After you apply' mein diye gaye hain. Jahan 'Not officially verified' likha hai wahan official site se pakka kar lein.
Bina Startup India recognition ke pakde gaye to kya hoga?
Aam taur par nahi, Startup India recognition na hone par seedha koi jurmana nahi hai (Startup India scheme, DPIIT). Lekin kai sarkari kaam ya faayde ke liye yeh zaroori ho sakta hai.