Startup India (DPIIT) Recognition in 2026 — Eligibility, NSWS Process & What It Actually Gets You
Quick answer: Under DPIIT's notification of 4 February 2026 (G.S.R. 108(E)), a private limited company, LLP, registered partnership or cooperative society up to 10 years old with turnover not above ₹200 crore in any year can be recognised as a startup; Deep Tech startups get 20 years and ₹300 crore. The application is free on the National Single Window System. Recognition is not the 80-IAC tax holiday — that is a separate, narrower approval (₹100 crore turnover, Inter-Ministerial Board). We file both and route the state benefits in Delhi, UP, Haryana and Bihar.
Last verified 4 October 2026 — rules on this page checked against the current notifications. We update it the day a rule changes.
Eligibility after 4 February 2026 — old vs new
| 2019 framework | G.S.R. 108(E), 4 Feb 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Entity types | Pvt Ltd, LLP, registered partnership | + cooperative societies |
| Age limit | 10 years | 10 years; 20 years for Deep Tech |
| Turnover cap | ₹100 crore | ₹200 crore; ₹300 crore for Deep Tech |
| Innovation test | Innovation / improvement / scalable model with employment or wealth potential | Unchanged; not formed by splitting or reconstructing an existing business |
| Portal | Startup India portal | NSWS (National Single Window System); application free |
Documents and the NSWS steps
- Certificate of incorporation / registration and PAN
- Director/partner details, DIN, contact
- Write-up on the innovation, problem solved, scalability and employment potential
- Pitch deck, website or product links; patents/trademarks if any
- Funding evidence (if any) and the turnover declaration
- Deep Tech applicants: evidence of research-led IP or technology development
- Register the entity and the authorised person on NSWS
- File the recognition application with the documents above
- DPIIT review and queries (competitor claims of "3 working days" are marketing; plan for 2–10 working days)
- Certificate of recognition with DPIIT number — use it for the ₹4,500 TM fee, GeM exemptions and state schemes
- Optional: 80-IAC application to the IMB (months); Fund of Funds via SIDBI-backed AIFs
State benefits once recognised
| State | Policy | Headline support |
|---|---|---|
| Bihar | Bihar Startup Policy 2022 | ₹10 lakh interest-free seed loan (₹10.5 lakh women, ₹11.5 lakh SC/ST/PwD), ₹15 lakh post-seed, matching loan to ₹50 lakh; RoC-Bihar registration required |
| Uttar Pradesh (Noida, Ghaziabad) | UP Startup Policy 2020 (as amended) | Sustenance allowance, seed and marketing support through recognised incubators; confirm current slabs on the Startinup portal |
| Haryana (Gurugram, Faridabad) | Haryana State Startup Policy 2022 | Seed grant, lease rental and patent reimbursements via Startup Haryana; confirm current slabs |
| Delhi | Delhi startup policy | Status of the revised policy to be confirmed before relying on specific amounts |
What we do
- Eligibility check (incl. Deep Tech) and the innovation write-up that passes review
- NSWS filing and query replies; 80-IAC application where it genuinely pays
- Routing the benefits: trademark at ₹4,500, GeM/tender exemptions, Udyam and CGTMSE, state seed funds
- Entity set-up first if needed: company or LLP
Drone startups: UIN, RPC and type-certificate rules.
Talk to us before you file anything
Frequently asked questions
What is the turnover limit for startup recognition in 2026?
₹200 crore in any financial year (₹300 crore for Deep Tech startups), per DPIIT's G.S.R. 108(E) of 4 February 2026 — up from ₹100 crore.
Who qualifies as a Deep Tech startup?
Entities whose innovation rests on scientific or engineering research — DPIIT's notification gives them 20 years from incorporation and the ₹300 crore cap; evidence of research-led IP or technology development is expected with the application.
Can a cooperative society apply for DPIIT recognition?
Yes — cooperative societies were added as an eligible entity type in the 2026 notification; proprietorships still cannot apply.
Is DPIIT recognition free?
Yes. The application on the National Single Window System carries no government fee.
Does recognition give the 80-IAC tax holiday automatically?
No. 80-IAC is a separate approval with its own conditions — incorporation before 1 April 2030, turnover up to ₹100 crore and an Inter-Ministerial Board certificate — for three consecutive years out of ten.
How long is recognition valid?
Until the entity crosses 10 years from incorporation (20 for Deep Tech) or the turnover cap, or ceases to meet the innovation test.
Which documents are required?
Incorporation certificate and PAN, director/partner details, the innovation write-up, pitch deck or product evidence, any IP, and a turnover declaration; Deep Tech applicants add research/IP evidence.
What does recognition get a Delhi-NCR startup in practice?
The ₹4,500 per-class trademark fee, patent rebates and fast-track, self-certification under several labour and environment laws, EMD/ePBG exemptions on GeM and many tenders, Fund of Funds eligibility, and entry to the state startup schemes.