DPIIT Startup Recognition (gateway to Startup India benefits, incl. Section 56 angel tax exemption)
डीपीआईआईटी स्टार्टअप मान्यता
Open continuously
No deadline — apply whenever you are ready.
Recognition carries no cash award. It is the gateway credential: self-certification under labour and environment laws, IPR fast-tracking, public procurement relaxations, and eligibility to then apply for 80-IAC income tax exemption and for exemption under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act (angel tax). Almost every Indian central startup scheme requires it.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India
public · national
Deadline: rolling — Applications accepted at any time on the National Single Window System. No fee is charged.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Under 10 years old
- Turnover up to 2,000,000,000
- Stage: idea, pre_seed, seed, series_a, growth
- Locally registered entity required
Must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company or registered as a Partnership Firm, Limited Liability Partnership, or Cooperative Society. Turnover less than INR 200 Crores (INR 300 Crores for DeepTech startups) in any of the previous financial years. Startup status lasts up to 10 years (20 years for DeepTech) from incorporation. An entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business is not a Startup. On angel tax: the official page still signposts an application route for 'Exemption under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act (Angel Tax)'. I did not independently verify the current statutory position of Section 56(2)(viib) on an Income Tax Department page, so the live status of that exemption route is unconfirmed here.
How to apply
- Create an account on the National Single Window System (nsws.gov.in) and add the form 'Registration as a Startup'. — link
- Submit entity details and supporting documents; recognition is granted against the definition in G.S.R. notification 108(E). — link
- After receiving the DPIIT Certificate, apply separately for 80-IAC tax exemption and for Section 56 (angel tax) exemption. — link
What you will need
- Certificate of Incorporation / Registration
- PAN of the entity
- Brief write-up on innovation and scalability
- Directors'/partners' details
Source. https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/startupgov/startup_recognition_page.html — checked 2026-08-14
"The startup should be incorporated as a Private Limited Company or registered as a Partnership Firm, Limited Liability Partnership, or Cooperative Society. Turnover should be less than INR 200 Crores (INR 300 Crores for DeepTech startups) in any of the previous financial years. An entity shall be co"