The Startup India Initiative, administered by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), gives recognized startups two benefits that matter when you protect a brand: the lower official trademark fee tier, and the option to ask for expedited examination.
This guide explains the DPIIT recognition process, the trademark benefits it unlocks, and how to claim them when you file with the Indian Trade Marks Registry.
Pro tip: Before you file, check whether your brand name is available with our free trademark check. It is free and takes less than a minute. Combine that with the startup fee tier for maximum value.
Related: How to Register a Trademark in India: Complete 2026 Guide
What Is DPIIT Startup Recognition?
DPIIT recognition is a formal certification granted by the Indian government to entities that meet the definition of a "startup" under the Startup India Initiative. Once recognized, a startup gains benefits across taxation, funding, compliance, and intellectual property.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for DPIIT recognition, your entity must meet all of the following:
- Age of entity. The entity has been incorporated or registered for not more than 10 years from the date of incorporation.
- Annual turnover. Turnover has stayed within the limit set in the Startup India notification in every financial year since incorporation. The Startup India portal states the current figure, so check it before you apply.
- Innovation and scalability. The entity is working towards innovation, development, or improvement of products, processes, or services, or it has a scalable business model with high potential for employment generation or wealth creation.
- Not formed by splitting or reconstruction. The entity must not have been formed by splitting up or reconstructing an existing business.
Eligible Entity Types
The following entity types can apply for DPIIT recognition:
- Private Limited Company (registered under the Companies Act, 2013)
- Registered Partnership Firm (under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932)
- Limited Liability Partnership (under the LLP Act, 2008)
Note: Sole proprietorships are not eligible for DPIIT startup recognition.
How to Apply for DPIIT Recognition
The application process is entirely online through the Startup India portal:
- Register on the Startup India portal with your business details.
- Upload documents, including:
- Certificate of Incorporation or Registration
- A brief description of your business and what is innovative about it
- Supporting documents (pitch deck, patents, awards, and similar)
- Self-certify that your entity meets the eligibility criteria.
- Submit the application for review.
Review usually takes a few working days. Once approved, you receive a DPIIT Recognition Certificate with a unique recognition number.
Trademark Benefits for DPIIT-Recognized Startups
1. The Lower Official Fee Tier
The most immediate benefit is the reduced government fee for trademark filings. Under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, the official filing fee depends on who the applicant is:
| Applicant Type | Official Fee per Class (E-filing) |
|---|---|
| Company or other entity | ₹9,000 |
| DPIIT-recognized startup | ₹4,500 |
| Individual applicant | ₹4,500 |
| Small enterprise | ₹4,500 |
So a recognized startup pays half of what a standard company pays for the same application, per class.
The applicant tier runs through the other Registry forms too, and the amount differs by form:
- New applications (Form TM-A). ₹4,500 per class on the startup tier, against ₹9,000 for a company.
- Opposition (Form TM-O). ₹2,700 per class when filed online.
- Assignment recordal (Form TM-P). ₹9,000. See our guide to assignment and licensing in India.
- Renewal (Form TM-R). Renewal is priced per class as well. Our renewal deadlines guide covers the timing, and the pricing page shows what a renewal costs with us.
Fees are charged per class, so the number of classes you pick drives the total. If you are not sure which classes fit your goods and services, Class Assist walks you through it.
2. Expedited Examination (Rule 34)
DPIIT-recognized startups can request expedited examination under Rule 34 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Under standard examination, an application may take 1 to 3 months to receive an Examination Report. Expedited examination shortens that wait.
To request it:
- File Form TM-M with the prescribed fee. The IP India portal shows the current amount when you file.
- Include your DPIIT Recognition Certificate number.
- The Registry then prioritizes your application for examination.
Note: Expedited examination speeds up the examination phase only. If objections are raised, the response timelines stay the same.
3. IPR Facilitators
The Startup India Initiative gives recognized startups access to IPR Facilitators, which are registered patent and trademark agents empanelled to assist startups. Under the Scheme for Facilitating Start-Ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP), the government reimburses the facilitator's professional fees, so the assistance itself carries no facilitator fee for the startup. The scheme runs in funded blocks, so check the Startup India portal for whether the current block is open before you rely on it.
Facilitators can help with:
- Trademark search and filing
- Responding to examination reports
- Patent applications
- IP strategy and portfolio management
A list of registered facilitators is available on the Startup India portal.
How to Claim DPIIT Benefits in Your Trademark Application
When you file Form TM-A on the IP India online portal, take these steps to claim the startup fee tier:
- Select applicant type. Choose "Startup" as your applicant category.
- Enter your DPIIT Recognition Number from your certificate.
- Upload the DPIIT Certificate.
- Pay the reduced fee. The system calculates ₹4,500 per class once the startup category is selected.
Common Mistakes When Claiming DPIIT Benefits
- Not selecting "Startup" as the applicant type. If you select "Company" or "LLP" without flagging startup status, the full fee is charged.
- Expired recognition. Make sure your DPIIT recognition is still valid on the filing date.
- Missing certificate upload. The Registry may issue a deficiency notice if the certificate is not attached.
Can Foreign Startups Claim DPIIT Benefits?
DPIIT recognition is available only to entities incorporated or registered in India, so a foreign company cannot obtain it directly. A foreign company filing in India pays the ₹9,000 per class tier.
If a foreign founder has incorporated an Indian subsidiary, for example a Private Limited Company registered under the Companies Act, 2013, that Indian entity can apply for DPIIT recognition and claim the startup benefits for its own trademark filings.
Filing from outside India? See our guide for foreign applicants filing Indian trademarks
DPIIT Benefits Beyond Trademarks
While this guide focuses on trademarks, DPIIT recognition carries other advantages:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tax exemption | Income tax exemption for 3 consecutive years under Section 80-IAC, subject to conditions |
| Angel tax exemption | Exemption under Section 56(2)(viib) for investments above fair market value |
| Self-certification | Self-certification for 6 labor laws and 3 environmental laws |
| Easy winding up | Simplified winding-up process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code |
| Government procurement | Relaxation of prior experience and turnover requirements for government tenders |
| Fund of Funds | Access to government-backed venture funding through SIDBI |
Trademark Strategy for Indian Startups
As a DPIIT-recognized startup, a simple plan works well:
- File early. Rights in India follow the filing date closely, so file as soon as the brand name is settled, even before launch.
- Use the fee saving to widen cover. At half the official fee, filing in more than one class is far easier to justify, which gives you broader protection. Understand Nice Classification for India
- Request expedited examination when speed matters, for example investor due diligence or a launch date.
- Protect your logo. If your brand includes a distinctive logo, file a device mark alongside the word mark.
- Monitor after filing. Watch the Indian TMR database for conflicting marks. Learn about trademark searching in India
- Plan for e-commerce. Registration unlocks Amazon Brand Registry and Flipkart brand protection.
For the full picture on timelines, documents, and what the Registry expects, see the India country guide.
How we help: We file for Indian startups end to end, from search to registration, and we claim the startup tier for you. See our India trademark service
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an LLP apply for DPIIT startup recognition?
Yes. Limited Liability Partnerships registered under the LLP Act, 2008 are eligible, provided they meet the age, turnover, and innovation criteria.
Does the reduced fee apply to trademark renewals?
The Trade Marks Rules set fees by applicant type across the forms, and the portal applies your tier when you file, provided the entity still qualifies at that time. For what a renewal costs with us, see the pricing page.
How long does DPIIT recognition last?
Recognition holds while the entity keeps meeting the eligibility criteria, up to 10 years from incorporation and within the turnover limit published on the Startup India portal.
Can I apply for DPIIT recognition after filing my trademark?
Yes, but the reduction is not applied retroactively. The lower fee applies only to filings made after recognition is granted.
What is the difference between a startup and a small enterprise for trademark fees?
Startups, individuals, and small enterprises all pay ₹4,500 per class, against ₹9,000 for a company or other entity. The difference is that DPIIT-recognized startups also get expedited examination and access to IPR facilitators.
Does expedited examination guarantee faster registration?
No. It speeds up the examination phase, when the Examiner reviews your application. It does not shorten the opposition period or other procedural timelines, and if objections are raised the response deadlines are unchanged.