Engagement
Startup India (DPIIT) recognition in Bengaluru
Last reviewed 27 October 2026
Eligibility under the 2026 definition, the innovation write-up, the NSWS application and what recognition unlocks.
In short
DPIIT recognition is the certificate that most central startup benefits depend on. Since 4 February 2026, an entity qualifies if it meets all of these:
- it is a private limited company, LLP, registered partnership firm or cooperative society;
- it is under 10 years old;
- its turnover has never been above ₹200 crore in a financial year;
- it is working on innovation or a scalable model.
Deep tech startups get 20 years and ₹300 crore. You apply online with the incorporation certificate and a write-up on the innovation.
Who qualifies
Under DPIIT notification G.S.R. 108(E) dated 4 February 2026, paragraph 1:
| Condition | Startup | Deep tech startup |
|---|---|---|
| Entity | Startup: Private limited company; LLP; partnership firm registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932; cooperative or multi-state cooperative society | Deep tech startup: Same |
| Age | Startup: Within 10 years from incorporation or registration | Deep tech startup: Up to 20 years |
| Turnover | Startup: Not above ₹200 crore in any financial year since incorporation | Deep tech startup: Not above ₹300 crore |
| Activity | Startup: Working towards innovation, development or improvement of products, processes or services, or a scalable business model with high potential for jobs or wealth creation | Deep tech startup: The same, plus a solution based on new scientific or engineering knowledge, high R&D spend, significant novel IP owned or being created, and long development timelines |
Not eligible: an entity formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business. A sole proprietorship, a public company and an unregistered partnership firm are outside the definition.
The 2019 rules are replaced. The 2026 notification supersedes G.S.R. 127(E) of 19 February 2019, which had a ₹100 crore turnover limit and no deep tech category, so older guides show the wrong figures.
Documents
- Certificate of Incorporation or Registration.
- A write-up on the nature of the business, showing how it is working towards innovation, development or improvement of products, processes or services, or why the model is scalable.
- For a deep tech startup, documents showing the deep tech attributes: the science or engineering it rests on, R&D spend, and the IP owned or being created.
- The authorised representative's email and mobile, for OTPs and notices.
How to apply
- 1.Register on the National Single Window System (nsws.gov.in) through Investor Login, and on startupindia.gov.in.
- 2.On NSWS, go to Add More Approval, then Central Approvals, and add "Registration as a Startup".
- 3.Fill the Startup Application Form: entity details, CIN or registration number, sector, the innovation write-up and supporting documents.
- 4.Submit through the Common Registration Form, under Startup Recognition by DPIIT.
- 5.Track status on the NSWS dashboard. If DPIIT raises a query, answer it on the same screen.
- 6.On approval, download the recognition certificate from NSWS, the Startup India site or DigiLocker. If rejected, DPIIT gives reasons and you can apply again.
Fee: none. The Ministry charges nothing for the recognition certificate or the tax certificate.
How we help. The Ministry says it has appointed no agents and that applicants should file themselves, so the application is filed from the startup's own account. We check eligibility, review the constitution and records, draft the innovation write-up and supporting material, answer DPIIT queries with you, and keep the company's own filings in order.
What recognition gives you
Recognition makes a startup eligible to apply for benefits; most need a separate application or have their own conditions.
| Benefit | What it gives | Conditions and basis |
|---|---|---|
| Tax holiday | What it gives: 100% deduction of profits for any 3 consecutive tax years out of the first 10 | Conditions and basis: Company or LLP only (not partnerships or cooperatives); incorporated on or after 1 April 2016 and before 1 April 2030; turnover up to ₹300 crore in the year (raised from ₹100 crore by the Finance Act, 2026, from tax year 2026-27); a separate certificate from the Inter-Ministerial Board of Certification, applied for after recognition. Section 140, Income-tax Act, 2025 (formerly section 80-IAC) |
| Convertible notes | What it gives: ₹25 lakh or more in one tranche, convertible or repayable within 10 years, is not a deposit | Conditions and basis: Rule 2(1)(c)(xvii), Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 |
| ESOPs to founders | What it gives: Promoters and directors holding over 10% can get ESOPs for 10 years from incorporation | Conditions and basis: Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 |
| Sweat equity | What it gives: Up to 50% of paid-up capital for 10 years from incorporation, against 25% for other unlisted companies | Conditions and basis: Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 |
| Deposits from members | What it gives: No 35% ceiling for 10 years | Conditions and basis: Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 |
| Fast-track merger | What it gives: Available for mergers between startups and with small companies | Conditions and basis: Section 233, Companies Act, 2013 |
| Patents | What it gives: Lower statutory fees and expedited examination | Conditions and basis: Patent Rules (filed through a registered patent agent) |
| Public procurement | What it gives: Exemption from earnest money deposit; relaxed prior turnover and experience conditions | Conditions and basis: General Financial Rules, 2017 |
| Labour and environment laws | What it gives: Self-certification of compliance, with no inspections for a specified period | Conditions and basis: Startup India self-certification scheme |
| Funding schemes | What it gives: Access to the Fund of Funds for Startups (through SEBI-registered AIFs) and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups | Conditions and basis: DPIIT schemes |
Use of funds after recognition. During recognition, a startup should not put money into residential buildings, loans and advances, capital contributions to other entities, or shares and securities, unless integral to its core business (G.S.R. 108(E), para 5). A certificate obtained on false information can be revoked and treated as never issued (para 6).
After recognition
- The company or LLP's own MCA filings continue as before: recognition does not change the annual ROC calendar.
- Recognition ends at 10 years from incorporation (20 for deep tech), or once turnover crosses ₹200 crore (₹300 crore for deep tech) in any financial year.
- Keep the restricted-investment rule in mind for the whole period of recognition.
- Apply for the tax holiday certificate separately if the company or LLP qualifies.
Documents & E-Forms
- DPIIT
- G.S.R. 108(E)
- NSWS
- Sec. 140
When to Engage
Soon after incorporation, once the business model and innovation story are clear; and before a fundraising round or a convertible note, since several benefits depend on recognition.
Typical turnaround: Scoped in the engagement letter.
Frequently Asked
About this engagement