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DPIIT startup recognition on NSWS

  • DPIIT recognition is the government certificate that makes your company or LLP a recognised startup, which is the entry ticket to the tax holiday, Seed Fund, convertible notes and other startup benefits.
  • Deadline: Any time while the entity is within 10 years of incorporation (20 years for deep tech) and under the turnover limit
  • Done in 2 working days to prepare after documents; DPIIT decision usually within 2 to 10 working days for complete applications (practitioner estimate)
  • Prepared by your Savvy, checked by a CA
  1. Certificate of incorporation or registration
  2. Is it a company
  3. Eligibility check
  4. DPIIT recognition certificate with DPIIT number
The law and the stepsPay and start · ₹2,999One time, + 18% GST

Answer in brief

DPIIT recognition is the government certificate that makes your company or LLP a recognised startup, which is the entry ticket to the tax holiday, Seed Fund, convertible notes and other startup benefits. We check eligibility, write the innovation description, file on the National Single Window System and answer DPIIT queries.

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From the official sources

What the law says, and what trips people up

From the official portal's manuals and FAQs, with the source for each point.

The law

  • DPIIT Notification G.S.R. 108(E) dated 4 February 2026

    New startup definition: company, registered partnership, LLP or cooperative society; up to 10 years from incorporation and turnover up to ₹200 crore in any previous year; 20 years and ₹300 crore for deep tech startups; working on innovation or a scalable model; not formed by splitting up or reconstructionSource

  • G.S.R. 108(E), supersession

    Replaces the earlier startup notification G.S.R. 127(E) dated 19 February 2019Source

  • G.S.R. 108(E), recognition procedure

    Apply online with the incorporation or registration certificate and a write-up on innovation or scalability; DPIIT may seek more documents, then recognise or reject with reasons; recognition obtained on false information can be revokedSource

  • G.S.R. 108(E), paragraphs 4 and 5 (use of funds)

    A recognised startup must use funds mainly for its core business and must not invest in listed asset classes (non-business property, loans, shares, luxury vehicles, jewellery and similar) unless integral to the businessSource

  • Income-tax Department: Taxation of start-ups

    DPIIT recognition does not by itself qualify an entity for the Sec 140, Income-tax Act 2025 (old Sec 80-IAC) tax holiday; a separate Inter-Ministerial Board certificate is neededSource

  • Government fee

    Nil. Startup India states that no fee is charged for DPIIT recognition and no agency or intermediary is appointed (https://www.startupindia.gov.in/maithali/content/sih/en/startupgov/startup_recognition_page.html).

On the portal

  1. Go to nsws.gov.in, click Login then Investor Login, or Register if new
  2. Dashboard > Add More Approval > Central Approvals; search 'Registration as a Startup' and add it
  3. Open the form from approvals: Apply Now > Common Registration Form > Startup Recognition by DPIIT
  4. Fill entity, address, signatory, director and business details; upload documents; complete self-certification
  5. Submit and note the reference; watch Processing Details for status, DPIIT number and messages from Startup India
  6. Reply to any query from the Startup India dashboard (DPIIT Recognition > Recognition Form Status)
  7. Download the certificate from NSWS Approvals, Startup India 'Verify Certificate' or DigiLocker

What trips people up

  • Vague innovation description leads to rejection

    Write a specific problem, solution, proof and scale story with numbers and technology namesSource

  • Wrong documents: MoA uploaded for an LLP, personal PAN instead of entity PAN, blurry files

    Match documents to entity type and upload clear, named PDFsSource

  • Person filing has no authority from the board

    Get the Letter of Authorisation in the portal format signed by the other directorsSource

  • Application sent back for clarification and left unanswered

    Answer company-specific questions on innovation, uniqueness and revenue promptly from the dashboardSource

  • Cannot log in to Startup India after NSWS rejection

    Use 'Unable to Log in?' with CIN or email and reset by email OTPSource

  • Founders assume recognition gives the tax holiday

    Apply separately to the Inter-Ministerial Board for the 80-IAC certificateSource

People ask

Is there any government fee?

No. Recognition is free and the government has not appointed any agent.Source

Can a cooperative society apply now?

Yes. The February 2026 notification added state and multi-state cooperative societies.Source

Does recognition mean we pay no income tax?

No. The tax holiday needs a separate Inter-Ministerial Board certificate and only companies and LLPs can get it.Source

Where do I download the certificate?

From NSWS under Approvals, from the Startup India homepage 'Verify Certificate', or from DigiLocker.Source

If we are rejected, can we apply again?

Yes. Fix the issue DPIIT cited and reapply; practitioners report no limit on reapplying.Source

Is GST registration needed first?

No, GST registration is not a precondition.Source

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Step 1 of 4 · What we need from you

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  • Certificate of incorporation or registration
  • Entity PAN
  • MoA and AoA, LLP agreement or deed
  • Innovation and scalability write-up
  • Directors or partners details
  • Letter of authorisation for signatory
  • Turnover for each year since incorporation
  • Pitch deck, website or product proofOptional
  • Patent or trademark filing receiptsOptional
  • Deep tech R&D and IP evidenceOptional

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One time. Delivered in 2 working days to prepare after documents; DPIIT decision usually within 2 to 10 working days for complete applications (practitioner estimate). Due: Any time while the entity is within 10 years of incorporation (20 years for deep tech) and under the turnover limit

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