We'd been incorporated for 2 years but never applied for Startup India — thought it was just a certificate. AP Advisors explained the 80IAC tax holiday we'd been missing and filed both applications. We saved over ₹18 lakh in income tax that year alone.
Government of India Initiative
Startup India — DPIIT Recognition & Real Tax Benefits
Get officially recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. Unlock 3-year income tax exemption, angel tax waiver, 80% patent fee rebate, and priority access to government funding — through one application, filed free.
500+ Startups Recognised
Zero Govt. Fee
3-Year Tax Holiday
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA — DPIIT
Startup India Initiative
RECOGNITION NUMBER
DIPP — ###### — 2026
Entity Name
Your Startup Pvt. Ltd.
Industry
Technology / SaaS
Recognition Date
Within 5–10 Days
Valid Until
10 Years from Inc.
UNLOCKED BENEFITS
80IAC Tax Holiday
Angel Tax Exempt
80% Patent Rebate
Govt. Tenders
3-Yr Tax Holiday
Angel Tax Free
Fast-Track Patents
Govt. Schemes
0+
Startups Recognised
0+
Years Experience
3 Years
Income Tax Holiday
₹0
Government Fee
WHAT IS STARTUP INDIA?
Government recognition that unlocks real money
Startup India is a Government of India flagship initiative launched in 2016. DPIIT recognition is the gateway — once recognised, your startup qualifies for significant tax benefits, IP support, and funding access that unrecognised companies simply cannot claim.
Recognition is free, 100% online, and there is zero government fee. Yet most eligible startups never apply — either unaware or unsure of eligibility. Our team assesses your eligibility, prepares a strong innovation brief, and ensures your DPIIT number is in hand within days.
3-Year Tax Holiday (80IAC)
100% income tax exemption on profits for any 3 consecutive years within the first 10 years of incorporation.
Angel Tax Exemption
Investments received by DPIIT startups are exempt from Section 56(2)(viib) angel tax — a massive fundraising advantage.
80% Patent Fee Rebate
Startups get an 80% rebate on patent filing fees and fast-track examination — protect your IP at a fraction of the cost.
Government Tenders
Bid for government tenders without prior turnover or experience requirements — a huge advantage for new startups.
Funding Schemes Access
Priority access to SIDBI Fund of Funds, Atal Innovation Mission, and other government-backed startup funding schemes.
Self-Certification Compliance
Self-certify compliance with 9 labour and 3 environment laws for 3–5 years — massive reduction in regulatory burden.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Does your startup qualify for DPIIT recognition?
All five conditions must be met before applying. We verify every one before filing — so your application is never rejected on a technicality.
01
Entity Type
Must be a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership Firm. Sole proprietorships and public companies do not qualify.
MANDATORY02
Age of Entity
The entity must not be more than 10 years old from the date of its incorporation or registration.
MANDATORY03
Turnover Cap
Annual turnover must not have exceeded ₹100 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
MANDATORY04
Innovation & Scalability
Must work towards innovation, development, or improvement of products/services — and have a scalable business model with high employment or wealth creation potential.
MANDATORY05
Not a Split / Restructured Entity
Must not be formed by splitting up or reconstructing an already existing business — original incorporations only.
MANDATORY₹0
Zero Government Fee
The DPIIT application through the Startup India portal is completely free. You only pay AP Advisors' professional fee for eligibility check, innovation brief drafting, and portal filing.
GOOD TO KNOWNot sure if your startup qualifies? The innovation and scalability criterion is subjective — our team will assess your business model and advise you honestly before filing. Free eligibility check →
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Documents needed to file your DPIIT application
Most documents you already have from incorporation. The critical piece is your innovation brief — we draft that for you.
Entity Documents
- Certificate of Incorporation / Registration
- PAN Card of the entity
- MoA & AoA (for Pvt Ltd / OPC)
- LLP Agreement (for LLPs)
- Director / Partner details with DIN / DPIN
- Registered office address
Startup Description (We Draft)
- Brief description of product / service
- Innovation & uniqueness statement
- Industry / sector classification
- Problem being solved & target market
- Scalability and growth potential brief
- Website / app / product demo link (if any)
Supporting Proof (Strengthens App)
- Patent / trademark / design registration (if any)
- Award or recognition letters
- SEBI-registered incubator / accelerator letter
- Angel or institutional funding proof (if applicable)
- Revenue / user traction data (optional but helpful)
- Social impact evidence (if applicable)
HOW IT WORKS
From eligibility check to DPIIT number issued
Five focused steps — we handle the portal, craft your innovation narrative, and submit the strongest possible application on your behalf.
01
Eligibility Check
We verify all five DPIIT criteria — entity type, age, turnover cap, innovation nature, and restructuring status — before filing anything.
02
Innovation Brief
We draft a compelling description of your startup's innovation, scalability, and market impact — the most critical part of your DPIIT application.
03
Document Preparation
We gather and format all supporting documents — COI, PAN, MoA/AoA, director details — ensuring everything meets DPIIT's exact requirements.
04
DPIIT Portal Filing
We submit your complete Startup India application on the official DPIIT portal and track acknowledgment and approval status daily.
05
Recognition Certificate
DPIIT issues your Recognition Certificate with a unique DIPP number — you can now claim all tax exemptions, IP benefits, and funding schemes.
Typical timeline: 5–10 working days
Apply for Recognition
From application submission to DPIIT recognition certificate — zero government fee, fully online.
WHAT YOU UNLOCK
Every benefit your recognition entitles you to
Recognition is just the first step. Here's exactly what you can claim once your DPIIT number is in hand.
Section 80IAC
Income Tax Holiday — 3 Years
After DPIIT recognition, apply to the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) for Section 80IAC approval. Once granted, your startup pays zero income tax on profits for any 3 consecutive years out of the first 10 years from incorporation.
₹ Crores Saved
Section 56(2)(viib)
Angel Tax Exemption
Investments received by your DPIIT-recognised startup from angel investors or HNIs are exempt from being taxed as "income from other sources." This removes a major legal barrier to early-stage fundraising in India.
Tax-Free Fundraising
IP India Scheme
80% Patent & TM Fee Rebate
Get an 80% rebate on patent filing fees plus fast-track examination. Trademark fees are also reduced. One dedicated IP facilitator is assigned to assist you — making IP protection affordable at the earliest stage.
80% Cost Reduction
GEM & CPPP
Government Procurement
DPIIT startups can bid on Government e-Marketplace (GEM) and Central Public Procurement Portal tenders without meeting prior experience or turnover criteria — a level playing field vs. established corporations.
₹ Lakh Crore Market
SIDBI & AIM
Government Funding Schemes
Priority access to ₹10,000 crore SIDBI Fund of Funds, Atal Innovation Mission grants, Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (up to ₹20L), and various state government schemes linked to DPIIT recognition.
Up to ₹20L Seed Fund
Labour & Environment Laws
Self-Certification Compliance
Self-certify compliance under 9 labour laws and 3 environment laws for 3–5 years — avoiding mandatory inspections during this period. Significantly reduces compliance burden in the early years.
3–5 Years Relief
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything in our Startup India package
We handle your DPIIT application end to end — from eligibility check to recognition certificate in hand.
ESSENTIAL
DPIIT Recognition Filing
Pure DPIIT recognition — eligibility check, innovation brief, portal filing, certificate.
- Eligibility Assessment (all 5 criteria)
- Innovation & Scalability Brief Drafting
- Document Preparation & Review
- DPIIT Portal Filing
- Application Tracking Until Certificate
- DPIIT Recognition Certificate Delivery
- 80IAC IMB Application
- Pitch Deck Guidance
Most Popular
COMPLETE
Recognition + Tax Exemption
DPIIT recognition plus Section 80IAC application — unlock the actual income tax holiday.
- Everything in Essential
- Section 80IAC IMB Application Filing
- Business Plan & Financial Projections Review
- IMB Query Response Assistance
- Startup India Portal Profile Setup
- Benefits Claim Guidance (angel tax, IP)
- Trademark / Patent Filing
- Annual Compliance
PREMIUM
Full Startup Launch Bundle
Recognition, tax exemption, brand protection, and first-year compliance — the complete founder kit.
- Everything in Complete
- Trademark Registration (1 class)
- Patent Filing Support (provisional)
- GEM Registration Guidance
- First-Year Compliance Calendar
- SIDBI / Seed Fund Application Guidance
- Dedicated Account Manager
- 1-Year Free Compliance Reminders
Government fee for DPIIT recognition is ₹0. Fees quoted are for AP Advisors' professional services only. Request a detailed quote →
WHY AP ADVISORS
Your startup. Real benefits. Applied correctly.
Most rejected applications fail on the innovation brief — the subjective criterion. We've helped 500+ startups craft briefs that pass first time.
Innovation Brief Specialists
We know what DPIIT looks for — and write briefs that make your startup's innovation undeniable.
Pre-Filing Eligibility Audit
We verify all 5 criteria before touching the portal — zero rejections from avoidable technicalities.
80IAC IMB Application Support
Recognition alone doesn't give you the tax holiday — you need 80IAC approval. We file that too.
Zero Hidden Charges
Our professional fee is quoted upfront — government filing fee is ₹0, and we don't add fictitious charges.
100% Online Process
No office visit — share your details, we handle the Startup India portal, you get the certificate.
Benefits Activation Support
After recognition, we guide you on claiming angel tax exemption, IP rebates, and GEM registration.
0+Startups Recognised
0+Years Experience
₹0Govt. Filing Fee
3 YrsTax Holiday
DPIIT portal–authorised filing process
Innovation brief with 100% pass record
80IAC IMB application expertise
Response within 4 business hours
Secure document portal (256-bit SSL)
FOUNDER STORIES
Startups we got recognised and funded
Real founders who unlocked real benefits after DPIIT recognition.
Our previous advisor filed our Startup India application twice and it kept getting rejected — the innovation brief was too vague. AP Advisors rewrote it completely and got us recognised in 7 days. Our angel investors stopped worrying about Section 56 tax immediately.
After DPIIT recognition, AP Advisors helped us file provisional patents at 80% rebate and get listed on GEM. We won our first government contract 3 months later. What started as a certificate turned into an actual revenue channel. Phenomenal guidance.
Still have questions?
Our team replies within 4 business hours.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Startup India questions founders ask us daily
No — these are two separate applications. DPIIT recognition is the first step (free, online). Section 80IAC tax exemption requires a separate application to the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) — only DPIIT-recognised startups are eligible to apply. Most startups don't realise this and assume recognition alone gives them the tax holiday. It doesn't. We handle both.
Section 56(2)(viib) of the Income Tax Act taxes the difference between the fair market value of shares and the actual investment amount received as "income from other sources." DPIIT-recognised startups are completely exempt from this — meaning angel investors can invest at any valuation without your startup being taxed on the difference. To claim it, you need to file Form 2 after recognition.
Yes, absolutely. Any company up to 10 years old from its date of incorporation is eligible — provided all other criteria are met (turnover under ₹100 crore, innovation nature, not restructured). The earlier you apply, the more years you have available for the 3-year tax holiday window. We've successfully registered companies that are 7–8 years old.
It depends on how your business operates — not just the industry. DPIIT looks at innovation in process, technology, or business model — not just product innovation. A retail business using AI for inventory or personalisation, or a trading firm with a platform-based model, can qualify. We assess your specific business and advise honestly before filing.
DPIIT recognition is valid until the entity no longer qualifies as a startup — i.e., until 10 years from incorporation or until turnover exceeds ₹100 crore, whichever happens first. There is no annual renewal required. The 80IAC tax holiday, once approved, runs for the 3 years you select within the 10-year window.
Yes. LLPs, Private Limited Companies (including OPCs), and Registered Partnership Firms are all eligible. Sole proprietorships and public limited companies are not eligible. For LLPs, the 80IAC tax exemption is not applicable — it only applies to companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013. Recognition itself and other benefits (angel tax, IP, tenders) are available to LLPs.
GET RECOGNISED TODAY
Apply for Startup India — free eligibility check first
Tell us about your startup. We'll check all 5 eligibility criteria, assess your innovation narrative, and file your DPIIT application — no obligation, zero government fee.
Free eligibility checkWe verify all 5 DPIIT criteria before filing
Response in 4 hoursMon–Sat, 10 AM to 6 PM
Zero government feeDPIIT recognition costs ₹0 in govt. fees
Free Eligibility Check
Startup India DPIIT Recognition