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Kajol Mathur & Associates

Practicing Company Secretaries

Step-by-Step Process to register on Start-Up India Portal

  • Writer: Kajol Mathur
    Kajol Mathur
  • Apr 10
  • 3 min read

Start-up India Registration

The Start-Up India initiative is a flagship program launched by the Government of India on January 16, 2016, with the aim of fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and building a robust start-up ecosystem across the country. Spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the initiative provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a platform to access funding, mentorship, tax benefits, and regulatory support, encouraging them to turn their innovative ideas into scalable and sustainable businesses.


Here’s how to register your start-up:


Step 1: Eligibility for DPIIT Start-up recognition


Before registration on the Start-Up India portal, your business must fulfill the following criteria :


  • Company Age : The period of existence and operations should not exceed 10 years from the date of incorporation.

  • Company Type : Incorporated as a Private Limited Company, a Registered Partnership Firm, or a Limited Liability Partnership.

  • Annual Turnover : Should have an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 100 crore for any of the financial years since its incorporation.

  • Original Entity : An entity should not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an already existing business.

  • Innovative & Scalable : Should work towards development or improvement of a product, process, or service and/or have a scalable business model with high potential for the creation of wealth and employment.


📌 You need a Certificate of Incorporation or Registration Certificate to proceed.


Step 2: Create an Account on Start-Up India Portal



Steps:

  1. Go to the official Start-Up India website.

  2. Click on the “Register” button (top right).

  3. Provide:

    • Name

    • Email ID

    • Mobile Number

    • Password

    • Select the type of user (Entrepreneur/Investor/Incubator etc.)

  4. Click “Register” and verify your email through an OTP or confirmation link.


    Now you have your account set up.



Step 3: Log-in and Start DPIIT Recognition Application


  1. Log in using your registered email and password.

  2. Go to the DPIIT Recognition section.

    • From the homepage or dashboard, click on “Get Recognized” or go directly to: Startup Recognition Form

  3. Click on “Apply for DPIIT Recognition”.




Step 4: Fill Out the Start-Up Recognition Form


This is the main form where you enter all your start-up's details. The form is divided into several sections.


Sections to Fill:


🔹 Entity Details

  • Entity Name

  • Type (Company, LLP, or Partnership)

  • Incorporation/Registration Number

  • Date of Incorporation

  • PAN of the entity

  • Address and State


🔹 Founder/Director Details

  • Names and details of all Founders/Directors/Partners

  • Email IDs and mobile numbers


🔹 Business Information

  • Industry type (e.g. IT, Education, Healthcare)

  • Sector of operation

  • Brief description of what the start-up does

  • Innovation: Explain what is innovative or unique in your product/service

  • How the start-up is solving a problem


🔹 Startup Activities

  • Number of employees

  • Revenue (if any)

  • Funding received (if applicable)


🔹 Intellectual Property

  • Any patents or IPs owned/filed (optional)


🔹 Support Required

  • Choose the kind of support you are looking for (Funding, Incubation, Tax Exemption, etc.)




Step 5: Upload Required Documents


Mandatory documents include:

  • ✅ Certificate of Incorporation/Registration

  • ✅ PAN Card of the business entity

  • ✅ Brief write-up about the nature of business, highlighting:

    • The problem being solved

    • How your product/service is innovative

    • Target customers and market

    • Potential for scalability


Optional: Website link, pitch deck, or video (if applicable)



Step 6: Submit the Application


Once all fields are filled and documents are uploaded:

  • Review your details carefully.

  • Click “Submit”.

You will receive an acknowledgment and an Application Number.



Step 7: Wait for DPIIT Recognition Certificate


  • Your application will be examined by DPIIT officials.

  • If all details are valid and the business qualifies as a start-up, DPIIT will issue a Start-Up Recognition Certificate.

  • You’ll be notified via email, and the certificate will be available for download from your dashboard.

🕒 Processing Time: Typically takes 2–10 working days.



✅ After Recognition – Additional Benefits You Can Apply For


Once you have DPIIT recognition, you can apply for:

  • 80 IAC Tax Exemption (3 years income tax exemption)

  • Angel Tax Exemption under Section 56(2)(viib)

  • Start-Up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)

  • Faster IPR filing

  • Relaxation in public procurement norms


Each of these has a separate application section on your Start-Up India dashboard.



📌 Pro Tips


  • Make your business description clear, problem-solving, and innovation-focused.

  • Use bullet points or crisp paragraphs for ease.

  • Avoid copying from the internet. Original content about your idea helps in faster approval.

  • Keep all documents scanned and handy.



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