DPIIT Recognition Online | Startup India Registration
Get DPIIT recognition for your startup - unlocking income tax exemption, angel tax exemption, patent fee rebates, self-certification under labour laws, and access to government seed funding. Expert DPIIT application support from ₹2,999.
Get DPIIT Recognition
Share your company details and our team will check eligibility and start your DPIIT application.
The key facts, in one place
Everything a founder usually has to piece together from five different pages, in one place.
- Governing body
- DPIITDepartment for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
- Scheme
- Startup India Action PlanLaunched 16 January 2016
- Eligible entities
- Pvt Ltd, LLP, PartnershipSole proprietorships are not eligible
- Age limit
- Up to 10 yearsFrom date of incorporation
- Turnover limit
- Up to ₹100 croreIn any financial year
- Recognition time
- 2-7 working dayswith a strong application
What is DPIIT recognition under Startup India?
DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) recognition is the formal certification that qualifies a company, LLP, or partnership firm as a 'startup' under the Startup India scheme - unlocking tax exemptions, easier compliance, and access to government funding.
DPIIT recognition is step one in the Startup India journey. It confirms your entity meets the definition of a startup. Income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC and angel tax exemption under Section 56(2)(viib) require a separate application to the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB).
The key to getting DPIIT recognition quickly is a strong innovation note - a written description of what problem you solve, how your approach differs from existing solutions, and evidence that it works.
Bizeneed visual guide
DPIIT Recognition Online | Startup India Registration
Get DPIIT recognition for your startup - income tax exemption, angel tax exemption, and patent fee rebates. Expert DPIIT application support from ₹2,999.
Understand requirement
Prepare documents
Complete filing
Client
Bizeneed
Result
Who is eligible for DPIIT recognition?
Not every new business qualifies - the criteria are specific.
- Entity must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership Firm
- Not more than 10 years have passed since incorporation
- Annual turnover has not exceeded ₹100 crore in any financial year
- Working towards innovation, development, or a scalable business model
- Not formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business
What documents are needed for DPIIT recognition?
Common to every entity
- Certificate of Incorporation / RegistrationMandatory
- PAN of the entityMandatory
- Details of directors/partnersMandatory
- Innovation note describing your businessMandatory
- Website or pitch deck link (if available)
- Patent/trademark application details
How DPIIT recognition works
DPIIT recognition is applied for online through the Startup India portal.
Incorporate your entity
You must be a registered Private Limited Company, LLP, or Partnership Firm before applying.
Create Startup India portal profile
Register on startupindia.gov.in with your PAN and incorporation details.
Draft innovation note and submit
Draft a compelling innovation note and submit your DPIIT recognition application.
Receive DPIIT Recognition Certificate
Once approved, you get your DPIIT Recognition Number and certificate.
Apply for 80-IAC (optional)
A separate application to the Inter-Ministerial Board for income tax exemption.
You can apply for DPIIT recognition yourself for free. Our value is in the innovation note and application support.
How long does DPIIT recognition take?
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Portal profile creation | Same day |
| Innovation note drafting | 1-2 days |
| DPIIT review and approval | 2-7 working days |
| 80-IAC application (optional) | Several weeks to months |
How much does DPIIT recognition cost?
Government fee is ₹0. Our fee covers professional assistance.
DPIIT Recognition
Core Startup India registration
- Portal setup
- Innovation note draft
- Document preparation
- DPIIT certificate
DPIIT + 80-IAC Filing
Recognition plus tax exemption
- Everything in DPIIT
- Pitch deck review
- 80-IAC application filing
Full fee breakdown
| Particulars | Government fee | Professional fee |
|---|---|---|
| DPIIT recognition (govt. fee) | ₹0 | Included in plan |
| DPIIT recognition (pro. fee) | N/A | ₹2,999 |
| 80-IAC filing (add-on) | ₹0 | ₹7,000 |
What benefits do you get with DPIIT recognition?
Tax benefits
- Income tax exemption for 3 consecutive years under Section 80-IAC(Income Tax Act, 1961)
- Exemption from angel tax under Section 56(2)(viib)(Income Tax Act, 1961)
Compliance benefits
- Self-certification under 6 labour laws and 3 environmental laws for 5 years
- Fast-track winding up within 90 days under IBC
- Relaxed norms in public procurement
IP and funding access
- 80% rebate on patent fees, 50% on trademark fees
- Eligibility for Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)
- Eligibility for Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Frequently asked questions
DPIIT recognition is a certification from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade that formally qualifies your entity as a 'startup' under the Startup India scheme, unlocking tax benefits and other advantages.
Yes, the government charges no fee for DPIIT recognition. It is filed directly on the Startup India portal. Professional service fees cover application support and innovation note drafting.
DPIIT recognition confirms startup status. 80-IAC is a separate application for income tax exemption, reviewed by the Inter-Ministerial Board, and requires DPIIT recognition as a prerequisite.
Private Limited Companies, LLPs, and registered Partnership Firms that are not more than 10 years old, have turnover under ₹100 crore, and are working towards innovation or a scalable business model.
No. Only registered entities - Private Limited Companies, LLPs, and registered Partnership Firms - are eligible.
Typically 2-7 working days if the innovation note is strong. Queries from reviewers can extend the timeline.
Certificate of Incorporation, PAN, director/partner details, and an innovation note describing your product or business model.
Income tax exemption for 3 years under Section 80-IAC, and angel tax exemption under Section 56(2)(viib) on qualifying investments.
The innovation note is a written description of your business - what problem you solve, how you solve it, and why it is innovative. It is the most important factor in getting DPIIT recognition approved.
No. The 10-year window is a hard limit with no exceptions.
Written by Ananya Iyer, Startup Compliance Lead · Reviewed by CA Vikram Shah, FCA, 12 years advising startups on tax and compliance
Last updated 7 September 2026
Sources
Eligibility criteria and benefits are verified against current DPIIT guidance. Rules can change; confirm with our team.