Pick your structure
A private limited company or LLP is the safe default. Partnership firms can get recognised but cannot claim the income tax holiday, and sole proprietorships cannot get recognised at all.
Have ready
Register the company
Done through the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Most founders use a chartered accountant or company secretary for this step.
Have ready
Get DPIIT recognition
Free and online through the Startup India portal. It is the key that unlocks the other benefits. Eligibility is based on age (within 10 years of incorporation, longer for deep tech), turnover and being innovative or scalable.
Have ready
Decide on the tax holiday
Recognition alone does not switch it on. Under Section 80-IAC you apply separately to the Inter-Ministerial Board. It allows a 100% deduction on profits for any three consecutive years in your first ten, for private limited companies and LLPs incorporated before 31 March 2030 with turnover under ₹100 crore. From April 2026 the same benefit sits in Section 140 of the new Income-tax Act. It only matters once you make a profit, so ask your CA about timing.
Have ready
Look at seed funding
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme gives DPIIT-recognised startups, incorporated within two years of applying, up to ₹20 lakh as a grant for proof of concept and up to ₹50 lakh in convertible or debt instruments for market entry. It is paid through approved incubators, so you apply to one. Windows open and close, so check the current status first.
Have ready
Add the everyday registrations
Udyam (MSME) registration is separate from DPIIT and helps with lending and government buying. GST registration is needed once you cross the turnover limit or sell across states, and some marketplaces ask for it earlier.
Have ready
Official sources
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Fees, limits and deadlines change, and some details here come from secondary sources. Confirm each one on the official site or with a professional before you act.