Startup India Recognition
DPIIT recognition for an existing company or LLP — an honest eligibility check, a properly written innovation narrative, and the application filed with the evidence that supports it.
- Professional fee
- From ₹5,899
- Working timeline
- Confirmed after scope review
- Government charges
- Shown before payment
Built for
Companies, LLPs, registered firms
Best when
You already have an eligible entity
Is DPIIT recognition
right for you?
It is worth applying only when the entity is eligible and the innovation story can be evidenced.
An eligible entity exists
Private limited company, LLP or registered partnership firm — proprietorships cannot apply.
There is something to show
Innovation, improvement or a scalable model, backed by product, traction or IP evidence.
You are within the limits
Under ten years from incorporation and under ₹100 crore turnover in every financial year.
You want the benefits
Self-certification, tender relaxations, IP fee rebates and the route to apply for 80-IAC.
DPIIT Recognition
Eligibility to apply — not a grant.
Recognition is not funding, and not a tax holiday.
It gives eligibility to apply for benefits. The section 80-IAC tax exemption is a separate application to an inter-ministerial board, and approval is discretionary. Entities formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business are not eligible.
What you receive,
ready to use.
Startup India recognition is not an incorporation — it is a recognition granted by DPIIT to an eligible entity that is already registered. We check eligibility honestly, write the innovation and scalability narrative, and file the application with the supporting material on the Startup India portal.
and eligible to apply.DPIIT · 80-IAC · IP rebates
An eligibility assessment before any filing
A written innovation, scalability and employment narrative
The complete DPIIT recognition application, filed on your behalf
The DPIIT recognition certificate with its recognition number, on approval
Guidance on what recognition does and does not unlock
What must be
in place.
The entity must be a private limited company, a registered partnership firm, or an LLP — proprietorships are not eligible.
Not more than ten years since the date of incorporation or registration.
Annual turnover has not exceeded ₹100 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
The entity works towards innovation, development or improvement of products, processes or services, or has a scalable model with potential for employment and wealth creation.
It has not been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business.
Recognition ends automatically on completing ten years from incorporation or crossing ₹100 crore turnover in a financial year, whichever comes first.
Compare the common structures
A starting point only. Tax and legal outcomes depend on your facts.
| Decision | Private limited | LLP | OPC | Proprietorship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owners needed | 2 or more shareholders | 2 or more partners | 1 member plus a nominee | One owner |
| Liability | Limited to shares held | Limited to agreed contribution | Limited to shares held | Personal liability |
| Outside investment | Set up for equity funding | Not suited to equity investors | Converts before raising equity | No equity shares |
| Annual filings | Company filings and audit thresholds | Lighter filings, audit above turnover limits | Company filings, some relaxations | Usually the lightest |
| Running cost | Highest of the three | Moderate | Moderate to high | Lowest |
| Common fit | Startups, teams hiring or raising | Professional and service partnerships | A single founder wanting a company | Small owner-led businesses |
From eligibility to
recognition.
We tell you plainly whether to apply before any work begins. DPIIT decides the outcome and its own timelines.
Eligibility check
Day 1
We handle
Review incorporation date, turnover, structure and activity against the DPIIT criteria and tell you plainly whether to apply.
You provide
Share the incorporation certificate, financials and a description of the business.
Narrative and evidence
Day 1–4
We handle
Write the innovation, scalability and employment narrative and assemble supporting material such as the pitch deck, website, IP or customer proof.
You provide
Provide product details, traction and any patent or trademark records.
Portal profile and filing
Day 4–6
We handle
Create or update the Startup India profile and file the recognition application with the supporting documents.
You provide
Authorise the filing and confirm the director or partner details.
Queries and outcome
Varies
We handle
Respond to any clarification raised by DPIIT and track the application to its outcome.
You provide
Supply additional evidence promptly if it is asked for.
After recognition
Ongoing
We handle
Explain the benefits you can now apply for, including 80-IAC and procurement relaxations, and the conditions that keep recognition valid.
You provide
Decide which benefit applications to pursue.
A checklist without
the back-and-forth.
We ask only for records or data relevant to your application, review, or audit scope.
- Certificate of Incorporation or registration certificate
- PAN of the entity
- Details of directors or partners with contact information
- Authorised signatory details
Before you begin
Use clear PDF, JPG, or PNG files.
Keep address records recent and readable.
Choose the support
you actually need.
Every total separates professional fees, GST, and stated government charges. State stamp duty and exceptional filings may vary.
Standard
Recommended15-30 days
payable now, GST included
- Professional fee
- ₹4,999
- GST @ 18%
- ₹900
- Payable now
- ₹5,899
- Eligibility check with a chartered accountant
- Documents prepared, reviewed and filed
- Certificate handed over with the next steps
Not included automatically
- — Any separate application for tax exemption under section 80-IAC or angel tax relief
- — Patent or trademark filing fees
- — Incorporation of the company or LLP, where the entity does not exist yet
- — Ongoing accounting, audit and annual filings for the entity
Costs that can repeat
- — The entity's usual annual filings continue unchanged — recognition does not replace them
- — Monitoring the ten-year and ₹100 crore limits that end recognition
- — Records supporting any benefit claimed under recognition
- — Updates to the Startup India profile as the business changes
Recognition is the start,
benefits are separate.
Your normal filings continue, and each benefit under recognition is applied for on its own terms.
Recognition application
Any time while eligible
Filed on the Startup India portal; outcome timelines depend on DPIIT.
Section 80-IAC application
After recognition
A separate application to the inter-ministerial board; approval is discretionary.
Annual entity filings
Annually
Company or LLP filings, audit and income tax return continue as normal.
Eligibility review
Annually
Confirm the entity is still within ten years of incorporation and under ₹100 crore turnover.
Got questions?
We’ve got answers.
Get clarity on eligibility, what recognition unlocks, and what it does not.
Still deciding?
AI CA can compare structures around cost, risk, compliance, and funding.