How to Get a Startup India Certificate: Eligibility, Benefits & Application Process

Introduction

Every startup begins with a bold idea—to innovate, disrupt, and introduce something new to the market. To encourage this entrepreneurial drive, the Government of India launched the Startup India initiative in 2016 to foster innovation and support emerging businesses through recognition, resources, and regulatory incentives.

A cornerstone of this initiative is the Startup India Certificate issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This certificate formally recognises a startup under the scheme and opens the door to numerous advantages, such as tax exemptions, funding opportunities, self-certification under labour and environmental laws, and other regulatory benefits.

What Is the Startup India Certificate?

The Startup India Certificate is an official recognition granted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Government of India’s Startup India initiative, launched in 2016. This certificate formally recognises an entity as a “startup” under the scheme, enabling it to access a wide range of government-backed incentives, exemptions, and support programs.

Benefits of the Startup India Certificate

Holding a Startup India Certificate—also known as the DPIIT Recognition Certificate—offers several advantages designed to support early-stage and growing startups.

Intellectual Property (IP) Support

Startups can protect their innovations through patents, trademarks, and design registrations with significant cost savings:

Access to government-approved IP facilitators via the Startup India portal
Only statutory filing fees need to be paid
80% of professional fees are borne by the government
This benefit is especially valuable for technology-driven and product-based startups.

Funding Support: Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

To address early-stage funding challenges, the government introduced the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) on 21 January 2021, with an allocation of ₹945 crore.

Provides financial assistance for prototypes, proof of concept, product development, and market entry
Available for DPIIT-recognised startups holding a valid Startup India Certificate
Helps bridge the gap before venture capital or angel funding becomes viable

Self-Certification Under Labour & Environmental Laws

Startups with DPIIT recognition can self-certify compliance under:

6 Labour Laws
3 Environmental Laws

This benefit is valid for 3 to 5 years from incorporation, reducing inspection burden and compliance costs.
Additionally, startups in 36 white-category industries are exempt from environmental clearances for the first three years.

Income Tax Exemption

Recognised startups can claim income tax exemption for any three consecutive financial years out of the first ten years from incorporation.

Conditions:

Startup must be incorporated on or after 1 April 2016
Approval from the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) is required

This exemption allows startups to reinvest profits into growth and innovation.

Fast-Track Exit

DPIIT-recognised startups can wind up operations within 90 days under a simplified insolvency process, offering flexibility and reduced legal complexity.

Relaxed Public Procurement Norms

Startups can participate in government tenders without prior experience or turnover requirements, enabling access to projects from ministries, PSUs, and government departments.

Eligibility Criteria for Startup India Certificate

To obtain DPIIT recognition, a startup must meet the following conditions:

Eligible Business Structure
- Private Limited Company
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
- Partnership Firm
Age of the Entity
- Less than 10 years from incorporation
- 15 years for biotechnology startups
Turnover Limit
- Annual turnover must not exceed ₹100 crore in any financial year
Innovation & Scalability
- Must focus on innovation, improvement, or development of products, services, or processes
DPIIT Recognition
- Mandatory to access tax benefits, funding, and exemptions
Regulatory Compliance
- Must comply with applicable laws (Companies Act, GST, Income Tax, etc.)
- Must have a bank account in the startup’s name
Employment Generation
- Should demonstrate job creation or future employment potential

Details Required for Startup India Application

The following table highlights the E-Way Bill threshold limits applicable across various states and union territories, along with the corresponding government notifications. Unless otherwise specified, the standard threshold of ₹50,000 applies.

Before applying, keep the following information ready:

Business Details

Startup name
Type of organisation
Company PAN

Contact Information

Business email ID
Mobile number of authorised representative

Authorised Representative Details

Name
Personal PAN

Business Address

Registered office address
City, state, and pincode

GST Information

GST registration status (Yes/No)

Documents Required for Startup India Certificate

To complete the application, submit:

MoA & AoA / Partnership Deed
Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Registration Certificate
PAN Card of the Organisation
PAN Card of Authorised Person
Aadhaar Card of Authorised Person
Business Address Proof
Recent Company Bank Statement
Photographs of Directors / Partners

How to Apply for the Startup India Certificate

Below is a simplified step-by-step guide to help you complete the Startup India registration process in 2025 and obtain your Startup India Certificate of Recognition.

Step 1: Incorporate Your Business

To apply for the Startup India Certificate, your business must first be legally incorporated under one of the following structures:

Private Limited Company
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Partnership Firm

Incorporation process:

For a Private Limited Company or LLP, file the incorporation application with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).
For a Partnership Firm, submit the registration application to the Registrar of Firms.

After submitting the required documents and paying the applicable government fees, you will receive a Certificate of Incorporation or Partnership Registration Certificate. This document is mandatory for DPIIT recognition and for availing benefits under the Startup India scheme.

Auriga Accounting pvt. ltd. can assist with business incorporation to ensure accuracy and faster approvals.

Step 2: Register on the Startup India Portal

Once your business is incorporated, register on the official Startup India portal to create your startup profile.

Registration steps:

Visit the Startup India website and click Register.
Enter basic details such as:
- Name
- Email ID
- Mobile number
- Password
Verify your email using the OTP sent to your registered email address.
Complete your startup profile by providing:
- User type (Startup, Individual, or Incubator)
- Startup name
- Stage of development (Idea, Validation, Early Traction, Scaling, etc.)
Submit the details to activate your profile.

Note: Creating a Startup India profile is mandatory before applying for DPIIT recognition.

Additional benefits after registration:

Apply for DPIIT recognition
Access government schemes and incentives
Explore funding and market access opportunities
Join accelerator and mentorship programs
Use learning resources and startup toolkits

Step 3: Apply for DPIIT Recognition

DPIIT recognition is essential to obtain the Startup India Certificate and unlock government benefits.

Benefits of DPIIT recognition include:

Income tax exemption for three consecutive financial years
Angel tax exemption under Section 56
80% rebate on patent and IPR filings
Self-certification under labour and environmental laws
Relaxed public procurement norms
Simplified exit and winding-up process
Access to the Fund of Funds

How to apply:

Log in to your Startup India account.
Go to the Recognition section and click Apply for DPIIT Recognition.
Click Apply Now to be redirected to the National Single Window System (NSWS).
Register on NSWS if you are a first-time user.
Add the Registration as a Startup form to your dashboard.
Complete the form and submit it online.

Tip: Ensure all documents are accurate and complete to avoid delays.

Step 4: Submit the Startup Recognition Form

While filling out the Startup Recognition Form, you will be required to provide:

Entity details: Legal name and organisation type
Registered office address: City, state, and pincode
Authorised representative details: Name, PAN, Aadhaar, email, and mobile number
Directors/partners information: Identification and contact details
Startup activity details: Description of innovation, products/services, and sector
Self-certification declarations: Eligibility under the Startup India scheme

After completing all sections:

Review the information carefully
Accept the terms and conditions
Click Submit to complete the application

Your application will be reviewed by DPIIT for approval.

Step 5: Receive Your Startup India Recognition Number

Once the form is submitted:

A Startup India Recognition Number is generated immediately as acknowledgment.
DPIIT verifies the application and supporting documents.
The Startup India Certificate of Recognition is typically issued within 48 hours, provided all details are accurate.

You can download the certificate from your Startup India portal dashboard after approval.

Step 6: Apply for Additional Benefits

After receiving your Startup India Certificate, your startup becomes eligible for multiple government-backed benefits, including:

Intellectual Property (IPR) support
Tax exemptions
Funding schemes
Market access and procurement opportunities

Startup India Certificate Download

Startups that have obtained DPIIT recognition can conveniently download their Startup India Certificate through DigiLocker. To do this, log in to the DigiLocker mobile app or web portal, search for “Startup” or the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and select “Recognition Certificate.” Enter your certificate number and registered mobile number, then click “Get Document” to instantly view and download your Startup India Certificate of Recognition.

The downloaded digital certificate is legally valid and can be securely shared or verified by corporates and government authorities directly through the DigiLocker platform.

How to Validate the Startup India Certificate Issued via DigiLocker

Startups that have been granted the Startup India Certificate of Recognition can easily access, download, and verify it through DigiLocker, the Government of India’s secure digital document platform. Certificates issued via DigiLocker are legally equivalent to physical documents under Rule 9A of the Information Technology Rules, 2016.

Steps to Download the Startup India Certificate from DigiLocker

Log in to your DigiLocker account using the mobile app or web portal.
Navigate to the “Search Document” section.
Select the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Central Government category, or search for “Startup.”
Choose “Recognition Certificate – DPIIT.”
Enter your certificate number and registered mobile number.
Click “Get Document” to view and download the certificate.

Steps to Verify the Startup India Certificate

Corporates and government authorities can also validate a Startup India Certificate shared with them through DigiLocker:

Open the DigiLocker mobile app.
Tap the menu icon (☰) and select “Scan QR Code.”
Scan the QR code displayed on the certificate.
Match the details shown on the screen with the shared certificate.

This process ensures the authenticity and validity of the Startup India recognition certificate for both startups and verifying entities.

Get Your Startup India Certificate with Auriga Accounting pvt. ltd.

Looking to scale your startup with government-backed benefits? Auriga Accounting pvt. ltd. can manage the entire process—from business incorporation to DPIIT recognition. Our experts provide end-to-end support to ensure a smooth, error-free, and fast registration experience, helping you unlock all the advantages offered under the Startup India initiative.

About the Author

Ravi

Ravi simplifies complex legal requirements into clear, practical steps, empowering entrepreneurs to stay compliant and build sustainable businesses with confidence.

January 10, 2026