Business Registration
Startup India DPIIT Registration: Eligibility, Benefits & Tax Holiday (2026)
DPIIT recognition is the gateway to the Startup India scheme's real benefits — a tax holiday, angel-tax relief, and a lighter compliance load. Yet many eligible founders never apply because the criteria sound vague. Here's the precise eligibility, the benefits worth having, and how to get recognised.
What DPIIT recognition is
DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) recognition officially certifies your entity as a "startup" under the Startup India scheme. It's free, online, and unlocks a set of tax and regulatory benefits not available to ordinary companies.
Eligibility criteria
- Entity type: a private limited company, registered partnership, or LLP.
- Age: incorporated within the last 10 years.
- Turnover: annual turnover has not exceeded ₹100 crore in any year.
- Innovation: working toward innovation, improvement, or a scalable business model — not formed by splitting up an existing business.
The benefits that matter
- 3-year income tax holiday: under Section 80-IAC, eligible startups can claim a 100% tax deduction on profits for any 3 consecutive years out of the first 10 (subject to inter-ministerial approval).
- Angel-tax exemption: recognised startups are exempt from the Section 56(2)(viib) "angel tax" on share premium from investors.
- Self-certification: for 6 labour and 3 environmental laws, reducing inspections.
- Faster, cheaper IP: rebates on patent and trademark filing and fast-tracked examination.
- Easier public procurement and access to government funds of funds.
How to apply
- Incorporate your company/LLP and get your PAN.
- Register on the Startup India portal.
- Submit the recognition application with your incorporation details and a short write-up on what makes your business innovative.
- Receive the DPIIT recognition certificate, usually within a few working days.
The tax holiday under 80-IAC needs a separate application after recognition. Want recognition plus the 80-IAC claim handled properly? Our startup advisory team manages the full process.