India's #1 Compliance Partner

Startup India Registration

Startup India Registration gives your business DPIIT recognition under the Government of India Startup India Scheme, unlocking tax exemptions, simpler...

Free Consultation

25,000+

Clients

200+

Certifications

25+

Years

Pan-India

Presence

Get expert consultation

Trusted by 25,000+ leading enterprises worldwide

Key takeaways

Startup India Registration is a Government of India initiative launched in 2016 and implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
It gives eligible startups official DPIIT recognition, the gateway to tax exemptions, funding and simplified compliance.
Only a Private Limited Company, LLP or registered Partnership Firm can apply, and the entity must be under 10 years old.
Annual turnover must not exceed INR 100 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
The application is filed online and paperless through the Startup India portal.
Benefits include a 3 year tax holiday under Section 80 IAC, Angel Tax exemption under Section 56(2)(viib), and rebates on patent and trademark filing fees.
The recognition certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of incorporation, subject to the turnover limit.

Overview

What is Startup India Registration?

Startup India Registration is an initiative established under the Startup India Scheme in 2016 and implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to assist innovative and scalable startups in India. The program was launched to enhance innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.

By registering, a startup receives official recognition from the Government of India and can apply for a range of benefits, including tax exemptions, funding, ease of compliance under various laws, and access to government resources. The aim is to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, promote jobs and encourage expansion by removing obstacles to legal and financial compliance.

What the Startup India Scheme offers

DPIIT recognition for eligible startups
Tax exemptions under Section 80 IAC and Section 56(2)(viib)
Fund of Funds Scheme (FFS) worth INR 10,000 crore
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) for early funding
Self certification under labour and environmental laws
Networking and incubation support through the Startup India Hub

Eligibility

Who can apply for DPIIT recognition

A business must meet a fixed set of conditions before applying for a Startup India Registration Certificate. The entity structure, age, turnover and innovation focus all matter.

Criterion	Requirement
Type of business	Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or registered Partnership Firm.
Age of business	Not more than 10 years from the date of incorporation.
Turnover limit	Annual turnover not exceeding INR 100 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
Innovation and scalability	Working toward innovation, improvement or development of a product or service, with a scalable model.
No prior splitting	Not formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business.

Eligible entity	Why it works
Private Limited Company	Offers credibility, limited liability and scope for future investment.
Limited Liability Partnership	Combines partnership flexibility with limited liability protection.
Partnership Firm	A flexible, collaborative structure, once registered under the Indian Partnership Act.

Why it matters

Benefits of Startup India Registration

Tax benefits

Eligible startups get a tax holiday for three consecutive years and exemption from Angel Tax under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act.

Simple compliance

Self certify under labour and environmental laws and gain relaxation under the public procurement framework.

Funding support

Access the Fund of Funds Scheme and raise capital through the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS).

Networking and mentorship

Join incubators, mentorship programs, startup fests and networking events organised by the government.

Lower IP costs

An 80% rebate on patent filing fees and a 50% rebate on trademark filing fees, plus free advisory through the Startup India Hub.

Global market access

Participation in international startup summits and trade fairs, with access to global investor networks.

Compliance

Why DPIIT recognition matters

DPIIT recognition is the legal basis for every Startup India benefit. Without it, a startup cannot claim the Section 80 IAC tax holiday, the Angel Tax exemption under Section 56(2)(viib), or the IP fee rebates. The recognition is what the Government of India uses to identify a registered startup and extend the scheme advantages, so accurate eligibility and documentation are essential.

What recognition unlocks

Income tax exemption for three consecutive years under Section 80 IAC.
Angel Tax exemption under Section 56(2)(viib) of the Income Tax Act.
Fast-track exit within 90 days under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
Preference in public procurement and government tenders.

How it works

The registration process, step by step

The process is online and paperless through the Startup India portal. The core path runs through incorporation, portal registration and DPIIT recognition, with optional tax and funding applications afterward.

Recognition

Company registration
Register the business as a Private Limited Company, LLP or Partnership Firm under the applicable Indian law.
Register on the portal
Create an account on the Startup India website and complete the application with your business model, revenue method and incorporation details.
Obtain DPIIT recognition
File the DPIIT application on the portal and upload the registration certificate and a short note on what is innovative about the startup.

Tax and funding

Apply for tax concessions
To claim deductions, submit a separate application under Section 80 IAC of the Income Tax Act with financial statements and proof of DPIIT recognition.
Funding and incentive schemes
After registration, apply for government funding schemes and access mentorship and networking opportunities.

Paperwork

Documents required

Certificate of Incorporation or Registration (or partnership deed)
PAN Card of the business
Details of the business model and innovation
List of directors or partners, with Aadhaar and PAN
Pitch deck or brief description of the innovation, for funding applications
DPIIT Recognition Certificate, if applying for tax exemption

Lifecycle

Validity & recognition

The recognition certificate is valid for 10 years from the date of incorporation.
Validity holds only while annual turnover stays under INR 100 crore in every financial year.
If turnover exceeds the limit, the startup loses recognition even before 10 years are over.
Recognition does not need renewal once granted under the scheme.

Need to incorporate first? See our Private Limited Company Registration, LLP Registration and Partnership Firm Registration services.

Budgeting

Cost and timeline

There is no government fee for Startup India Registration itself. Costs arise only from the company incorporation and any related registrations.

Item	Details
Government fee for DPIIT recognition	Nil. The Startup India Registration carries no government charge.
Incorporation and professional fees	Cost of registering the Pvt Ltd Company, LLP or Partnership Firm and related filings.
Patent and trademark filings	Reduced fees, with an 80% rebate on patents and a 50% rebate on trademarks.
Processing time	Around 10 to 15 working days, often 7 to 10 days, when documents are complete and accurate.

Ready to get DPIIT recognised?

Tell us your entity type and stage, and we will map the exact documents, eligibility and timeline for your Startup India Registration, plus the trademark and patent rebates you can claim.

Get a free assessment

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Startup India Registration?

It is a Government of India initiative that helps new businesses with benefits such as tax exemption, easier compliance and funding support. It is implemented as part of the Startup India Scheme to boost entrepreneurship, and it grants official DPIIT recognition to eligible startups.

Who is eligible to register?

The entity must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, LLP or Partnership Firm, be no more than 10 years old, have annual turnover under INR 100 crore, be engaged in innovation or improvement of products or services, and not have been formed by splitting an existing business.

How much does it cost?

The government charges nothing for the Startup India Registration itself. Businesses may incur expenses for legal and professional services while incorporating the company or completing other necessary registrations.

How long does the process take?

The Startup India Registration Certificate is usually issued within about 10 to 15 working days, and often within 7 to 10 days, provided all documents are submitted without discrepancies.

Does recognition need renewal?

No. Once a startup is recognised under the scheme, the registration does not require renewal. The startup ceases to be eligible for benefits only after completing 10 years or crossing INR 100 crore in turnover.

Is GST registration required?

Startup India Registration does not require GST registration by itself. However, if your business turnover exceeds the GST threshold limit, you must register for GST separately.

25,000+

Clients served

200+

Certifications

100+

Experts

25+

Years

Why Diligence

Why choose Diligence Certification?

For compliance and credibility, Diligence is much more than a checklist - we give you real confidence in your business. We examine your legal, financial and operational status, so you are not just certified, but trusted.

Stronger risk protection

Spot hidden legal, financial or operational risks early - fix problems before they become threats.

Earn stakeholder trust

From investors to customers, people want to work with businesses that play by the rules.

Stay legally aligned

Compliant not just on products but on labour, environmental and tax laws too.

Enhance brand reputation

Show the world you operate with integrity and transparency.

Stand out from competitors

In a crowded market, credibility is your biggest edge.

24×7 expert support

A 100+ strong service team guiding you at every step, free first consultation.

Real sites, real certifications

Our teams work inside factories and plants across India and abroad - inspections, audits and certification milestones spanning BIS, global schemes and the full compliance stack you see on this site.