Startup India — recognition, tax holiday, Rs 50L seed grant (2026)

• Indian entity (Pvt Ltd / LLP / Partnership)
• Founded < 10 years ago
• Annual turnover < Rs 100 crore
• Original innovation in product / service / process / business model
• Not formed by splitting existing business

Recognition (DPIIT certificate); 3-year income tax holiday under Section 80IAC; angel-tax exemption; Rs 20L convertible debt + Rs 50L grant via Startup India Seed Fund Scheme; faster patent processing (50% rebate); MSME tender preferences via GeM; ESOP tax deferral.

1. Apply for DPIIT recognition — startupindia.gov.in → online application.
2. Submit incorporation cert + brief description — Innovation + scalability statement.
3. Recognition issued in 30 days — DPIIT cert downloadable.
4. Apply for Section 80IAC tax holiday — Within 12 months of recognition; CBDT approves.
5. Apply for seed fund grant — Through DPIIT-empanelled incubator (50+ across India).
6. Use IPR fast-track — 50% rebate on patent fees; expedited examination.

• Incorporation certificate
• PAN
• Innovation description
• Founder Aadhaar

Recognition: 30 days. Tax holiday: 90 days post-recognition. Seed fund: 6-12 months.

• Official portal: startupindia.gov.in
• Helpline: Startup India: 1800-115-565

• Recognition denied — innovation criteria not met; refine pitch.
• Tax holiday denied — CBDT scrutinizes; need genuine innovation.
• Seed fund competition tough — 50K+ applicants for limited grants.
• Incubator empanelment varies — research before applying.

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. Name + designation of dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. Reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. Likely date of disbursement / decision.

Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the AI RTI Drafter →

More schemes for you: All msme entrepreneurs schemes

Original product + technology + business model. Patents help. CBDT scrutinizes.

Apply via Form 1B within 12 months of recognition. CBDT approves once for 3 of first 7 years.

Convertible debt up to Rs 20L + grant up to Rs 50L; via incubators.

File RTI to DPIIT.

• All 150 Sarkari Yojanas
• 25 status-check guides
• 30 documents-required checklists
• 25 how-to-apply guides
• 16 rejection-recovery guides
• 10 audience-hub schemes
• 32 helplines + grievance routes
• Full RTI Playbook

• Official portal: startupindia.gov.in
• Issued by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
• Launched: 2016
• Citizen feedback via %%AwaazRTI%% (composite, identifying details removed)

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026.