Who is eligible for DPIIT Recognition?

Startups must be registered as a private limited company, partnership firm, or limited liability partnership. The startup must be less than 10 years old, with an annual turnover not exceeding ₹100 crores and must focus on innovation, employment generation, and wealth creation.

Can an existing business apply for DPIIT Recognition?

No, startups formed by splitting or restructuring an existing business are not eligible for DPIIT recognition.

What are the benefits of receiving DPIIT Recognition?

Benefits include tax exemptions for three consecutive years, easier compliance with labour and environmental laws, fast-tracked patent applications, government tenders, and access to various government schemes.

How can a startup apply for DPIIT Recognition?

Startups can apply through the National Single Window System (NSWS) or the Startup India portal by completing the Common Registration Form and following the step-by-step application process.

What is the 50 100 500 rule startup?

The 50 100 500 rule is an informal funding idea suggesting startups may aim for 50 lakh seed funding, 1 crore early traction, and 5 crore scaling capital, though it is not an official DPIIT rule.

How do I check if my startup is DPIIT registered?

You can check your status by logging into the Startup India portal and viewing your recognition certificate or application status in your dashboard after submission and review.

Is DSC required for DPIIT registration?

A Digital Signature Certificate is generally not mandatory for DPIIT recognition on the Startup India portal, but it may be required for company incorporation or other regulatory filings.

How to get startup recognized by DPIIT?

To get recognized, register your entity as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Partnership, then apply on the Startup India portal with required documents and details. After verification, DPIIT grants recognition if eligibility criteria are met.

How many startups are Recognised by DPIIT?

Over one lakh startups have been recognized by DPIIT under the Startup India initiative, and the number continues to grow as new eligible entities receive approval each year.

What is the 80/20 rule for startups?

The 80/20 rule refers to the Pareto Principle, where 80 percent of results often come from 20 percent of efforts, customers, or products, helping startups focus on high impact areas.

Is 1% equity in a startup good?

Whether 1 percent equity is good depends on the company valuation and growth potential. In early stage startups, even small equity can become valuable if the company scales significantly.

What are the 7 stages of startup?

The 7 stages commonly include idea, validation, prototype, early traction, growth, expansion, and maturity or exit, though actual stages may vary depending on the business model.

What is the turnover limit for startup in DPIIT?

To qualify as a startup under DPIIT, turnover must not exceed 100 crore rupees in any financial year since incorporation, and the entity must be within 10 years of incorporation.

Is there a fee for DPIIT recognition?

There is no government fee for applying for DPIIT recognition on the Startup India portal, but costs may arise for company incorporation or professional assistance if used.

How much time does it take for DPIIT approval?

DPIIT recognition approval can take a few days to a few weeks depending on document verification and application accuracy submitted on the Startup India portal.

Is GST required for DPIIT registration?

GST registration is not mandatory specifically for DPIIT recognition, but it may be required separately depending on your business turnover and type of goods or services provided.

What is the difference between Startup India and DPIIT?

Startup India is the flagship initiative supporting startups, while DPIIT is the government department that grants official recognition and implements policies under the Startup India framework.

Which company partnered with DPIIT?

DPIIT collaborates with various private companies, incubators, and industry bodies to support startups, and partnerships may change over time based on programs and initiatives.

Jaagruk Bharat is a private organization offering support for documentation and government scheme access. We are not affiliated with any government body. Official services are available on respective government portals. Our goal is to make processes easier and more accessible for citizens.

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How To Apply For DPIIT Recognition For Your Startup?

Q: What is DPIIT Recognition?

DPIIT recognition is a certification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to help startups benefit from government schemes, tax exemptions, and smoother compliance processes.

Q: What is DPIIT Recognition?

DPIIT recognition is a certification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to help startups benefit from government schemes, tax exemptions, and smoother compliance processes.

Komal Bajpai

Author

Updated: 19-02-2026 at 3:30 PM

Serving Over

500K+ Users

For founders and aspiring entrepreneurs, understanding DPIIT recognition for startups is essential because it unlocks access to government-backed incentives, compliance relaxations, funding support, and tax exemptions under the Startup India initiative.

As India is ranked as the world’s most populous country with approximately 1.45 billion people. With such a vast population, the nation benefits from 1.45 billion minds constantly innovating, solving problems, and contributing to economic growth. One of the most significant contributors to India’s development journey is the startup ecosystem.

According to data published in April 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognised over 127,000 startups across the country. This remarkable number highlights the growing entrepreneurial spirit and the substantial contribution startups make to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment generation, and technological advancement.

In this article, you will get the detailed information about the DPIIT recognition for startups, its objectives, features, benefits, application process and much more.

Overview

The table below highlights the key insights of the DPIIT Recognition:-

Particulars	Details
Governing Authority	Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
Ministry	Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Initiative	Startup India
Total Recognised Startups (April 2024)	127,000+
Maximum Age of Startup	10 Years from Incorporation
Turnover Limit	Not exceeding INR 100 Crores in any financial year
Entity Types Allowed	Private Limited Company, LLP, Partnership Firm
Key Benefits	Tax exemptions, funding support, and compliance relaxations
Application Mode	Online via NSWS & Startup India Portal
Certificate Access	NSWS, Startup India Portal, DigiLocker

Also Read: DPIIT Holds Discussions With Ministries And Other Departments For Promotion Of Ease Of Doing Business

What Is DPIIT Recognition?

DPIIT recognition is an official certification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It forms a core component of the Startup India Initiative, which was launched to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment generation in India.

The certification validates a business entity as a “recognised startup” under government norms. This recognition enables startups to access a wide range of benefits, including tax exemptions, self-certification under labour and environmental laws, easier public procurement participation, funding opportunities, and regulatory relaxations.

The Startup India recognition process ensures that only genuinely innovative and scalable businesses qualify for these benefits. Once approved, the startup receives a DPIIT Recognition Certificate and a unique DPIIT number, which can be used to claim various DPIIT startup benefits India offers.

Objectives Of DPIIT Recognition

The primary objective of DPIIT recognition is to create a structured ecosystem that nurtures innovation-driven businesses in India.

The recognition aims to promote innovation and technological advancement by supporting startups working on scalable and impactful solutions.
It seeks to generate employment opportunities by encouraging entrepreneurs to build businesses that contribute to economic growth.
The initiative aims to reduce regulatory burden through compliance simplification and self-certification provisions.
It intends to facilitate access to funding, credit guarantees, and tax exemptions under the Startup India DPIIT tax benefits provisions.
The recognition supports startups in gaining credibility among investors, banks, and government authorities.

Through structured policies and clearly defined DPIIT recognition steps 2026, the government ensures that the ecosystem remains transparent, accessible, and growth-oriented.

Benefits Of DPIIT Recognition

Obtaining DPIIT recognition for startups opens the door to multiple advantages that can significantly impact early-stage growth.

1. Income Tax Exemption

Eligible startups can apply for a 3-year income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act, subject to approval from the Inter-Ministerial Board.

2. Angel Tax Exemption

Recognised startups can claim exemption from Angel Tax under Section 56, which protects funding received from investors at a premium valuation.

3. Self-Certification Compliance

Startups can self-certify compliance under certain labour and environmental laws, reducing inspection burdens and administrative hassles.

4. Access to Government Tenders

Recognised startups are exempted from prior turnover and experience criteria for government tenders, improving procurement opportunities.

5. Faster Patent and Trademark Processing

Startups receive expedited examination of patent applications and up to 80% rebate on patent filing fees.

6. Easier Winding Up

In case of business closure, startups benefit from a simplified exit process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

These structured DPIIT startup benefits India provides startups with financial flexibility, regulatory ease, and enhanced growth potential.

Also Read: Get a Loan Upto 50000 Under PM SVANidhi Scheme: Helping Street Sellers And Strengthening India's Economy

What Is The Eligibility Criteria Of The DPIIT Recognition?

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has issued specific guidelines to determine whether a business qualifies for DPIIT recognition.

The startup must be registered as a Private Limited Company, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or a Partnership Firm under applicable Indian laws.
The entity must not be more than 10 years old from the date of its incorporation.
The annual turnover of the startup must not exceed INR 100 Crores in any financial year since incorporation.
The business must not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business.
The startup must be working towards innovation, development, or improvement of products or services and should have the potential to generate employment and wealth creation.

Understanding the eligibility rules is critical before beginning the Startup India recognition process.

What Is The Application Process Of The DPIIT Recognition?

If you are wondering how to register for DPIIT startup recognition, follow the structured process outlined below.

Step 1: Registering with the National Single Window System (NSWS)

Registration through NSWS is the first step in the DPIIT recognition steps 2026.

Registration as a Startup on the NSWS website is the first step.
Add ‘Registration as a Startup’ to Approvals on the NSWS dashboard. Click on ‘add more approval’ under which comes ‘central approval’.
Fill out the application form by clicking on ‘Apply now’ visible on your dashboard in a tabular form, which would take you to the ‘Common Registration Form’.
Complete the form.

Step 2: Register on Startup India Initiative

Once your application is successfully submitted on the NSWS portal, if comes rejected, you can apply again through the Startup India website by logging in.
You can access your application through the NSWS portal or the Startup India portal.

This forms a crucial part of the Startup India recognition process.

Step 3: Accessing Application

On the NSWS dashboard, click on the form row, which will show the application status and the given DPIIT number.
A section called ‘Processing Detail’ is also there in case of any communication by the Startup India Initiative, and if the application is approved, it also shows the DPIIT Recognition Certificate Number.
If you’re accessing the Startup India portal, click on DPIIT Recognition to view the application status.

Following these structured DPIIT recognition steps in 2026 ensures smooth certification approval.

Step 4: Downloading the Certificate

The DPIIT Recognition Certificate can be accessed through the NSWS portal (added to the approval section), Startup India portal (can be accessed by clicking on the ‘verify certificate’ on the homepage), and also Digilocker (search for the Startup certificate).

Also Read: Godhan Nyay Yojana: Benefits, Eligibility, And Apply Online

List Of Documents Required For The DPIIT Recognition

Understanding the DPIIT recognition documents required is essential to avoid rejection or delays.

The following documents are generally required:

Certificate of Incorporation or Registration of the entity.
PAN details of the company or LLP.
Details of directors or partners.
Brief write-up explaining how the business is innovative or scalable.
Website link or product demo details, if available.
Funding details (if any).

Ensuring complete and accurate DPIIT recognition documents required improves the chances of approval during the Startup India recognition process.

What Are The Consequences Of Not Having DPIIT Recognition

While DPIIT recognition is not mandatory to operate a startup, not obtaining it can limit access to critical benefits.

Startups will not be eligible for income tax exemptions under Section 80-IAC.
Angel tax exemptions may not be available without recognition.
Self-certification under labour and environmental laws cannot be claimed.
Startups may face difficulty participating in government tenders.
Access to funding schemes and credit guarantee programs may be restricted.

Without DPIIT recognition for startups, businesses may miss out on valuable Startup India DPIIT tax benefits and compliance relaxations that significantly reduce operational burdens.

Conclusion

India’s startup ecosystem continues to expand rapidly, contributing significantly to innovation, employment, and GDP growth. DPIIT recognition plays a central role in strengthening this ecosystem by providing tax benefits, compliance ease, funding access, and government support.

Understanding the eligibility criteria, completing accurate documentation, and following proper DPIIT recognition steps 2026 are essential for successful approval. With multiple DPIIT startup benefits India offers, including Startup India DPIIT tax benefits, recognition provides both financial relief and institutional credibility.

For startups aiming to scale efficiently and attract investment, securing DPIIT recognition for startups is not just an optional milestone; it is a strategic advantage. By carefully following the Startup India recognition process and preparing the correct DPIIT recognition documents required, founders can unlock the full potential of India’s supportive startup ecosystem.

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