What we do
Our work in this practice group is structured around the records, deadlines, and decisions involved:
- Official DPIIT Startup India Recognition Certificate with unique DIPP number.
- Eligibility to apply for a 100% income tax holiday for 3 consecutive years under Section 80-IAC.
- Total exemption from Angel Tax scrutiny under Section 56(2)(viib) on capital investments received.
- Fast-track patent and trademark examination with up to 80% rebate on statutory filing fees.
- Exemption from prior turnover and experience criteria in Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and PSU public tenders.
- Access to government funding schemes including Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) and Credit Guarantee Scheme.
- Self-certification compliance under 6 labor laws and 3 environmental laws for up to 5 years.
How the engagement works
To qualify for DPIIT recognition, the entity must be incorporated as a Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership within the last 10 years from the date of incorporation. Its annual turnover must not have exceeded ₹100 Crores in any financial year since incorporation. Crucially, the entity must not have been formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business, and must be working towards innovation, development, or improvement of products, processes, or services, or have a scalable business model with high potential for employment generation or wealth creation.
Scenario 1: A newly incorporated tech, SaaS, or deep-tech startup in Pune seeking official DPIIT recognition to validate its venture and establish government credibility.
Scenario 2: An early-stage company raising angel or seed investment and seeking statutory exemption from Angel Tax under Section 56(2)(viib).
Scenario 3: An eligible startup with innovative intellectual property seeking Section 80-IAC 3-year tax exemption clearance from the Inter-Ministerial Board.
Scenario 4: A manufacturing or hardware venture applying for patent filings and seeking the 80% statutory fee concession.
Scenario 5: An enterprise bidding for public procurement tenders on the GeM portal requiring exemption from Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and prior turnover requirements.
Eligibility & Entity Structuring Review
We verify incorporation date, entity type, capital structure, and ensure non-split-up compliance according to DPIIT notifications.
Innovation & Scalability Dossier Drafting
We craft the business problem-solution statement, uniqueness brief, scalability roadmap, and pitch deck highlighting innovation.
DPIIT Portal Application & Filing
We prepare and submit the digital application on the Startup India National Portal with incorporation certificates and supporting proofs.
Section 56 Angel Tax Exemption Documentation
We compile declarations and financials for Form 2 Angel Tax exemption under CBDT guidelines to protect investor capital.
Section 80-IAC Tax Holiday Application
We prepare comprehensive financial models, video presentations, and audited accounts for Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) review.
Startup India Hub Ecosystem Linking
We assist with GeM startup runway onboarding, incubator network links, and state startup ecosystem benefits.
Step-by-step process
Step 1: Entity & Innovation Evaluation
We evaluate your business model, products, incorporation age, and turnover records against DPIIT eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Business Brief & Document Compilation
We gather incorporation records, MOA/AOA or LLP agreement, founders details, pitch deck, and draft the innovation narrative.
Step 3: Portal Submission & Query Resolution
We file the application on the Startup India portal and handle any clarifications or document requisitions from DPIIT scrutiny officers.
Step 4: DPIIT Certificate Issuance
Upon scrutiny approval, the official DPIIT Startup Recognition Certificate is issued with permanent recognition credentials.
Step 5: Tax Holiday & Angel Tax Exemption Filing
We proceed to file Section 56 Angel Tax exemption and Section 80-IAC IMB applications for eligible ventures.
Key deliverables & outputs
General questions
01What is Startup India Registration (DPIIT Recognition)?
Startup India Registration is the official recognition granted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, to eligible innovative entities in India, granting access to tax exemptions, IPR rebates, funding schemes, and tender benefits.
02Which entities are eligible for DPIIT Startup Recognition?
Private Limited Companies, Registered LLPs, and Registered Partnership Firms incorporated within the past 10 years, with annual turnover not exceeding ₹100 Crores in any preceding year, and engaged in innovation, development, or scalable product/service delivery.
03What is the Section 80-IAC 3-year tax exemption and who qualifies?
Under Section 80-IAC, eligible DPIIT-recognized startups (incorporated as Pvt Ltd or LLP between 1st April 2016 and 31st March 2025) can claim a 100% tax holiday on profits for 3 consecutive financial years out of their first 10 years, subject to Inter-Ministerial Board approval.
04How does Startup India recognition protect against Angel Tax?
Recognized startups can file a simple self-declaration in Form 2 on the Startup India portal to receive full immunity from Section 56(2)(viib) (Angel Tax) on shares issued at a premium, up to an aggregate paid-up share capital and share premium limit of ₹25 Crores.
05Can an existing Proprietorship or unregistered firm get DPIIT recognition?
No. Sole proprietorships and unregistered partnerships are not eligible. The business must first be incorporated or converted into a Private Limited Company or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
06Is there any government fee for Startup India recognition?
The Government of India does not levy any official statutory application fee on the Startup India portal for obtaining DPIIT recognition.