The official Startup India registration fee is ₹0. Simply put, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, does not charge any government fee to apply for, receive, or download the Startup India Certificate of Recognition. In fact, the Ministry has also clarified that it has not appointed any agency, representative, or franchise to collect fees for DPIIT recognition.
What founders actually pay is the cost of incorporating the business entity as Private Limited Company, LLP, or Registered Partnership Firm. Optional professional assistance and additional registrations after DPIIT recognition, such as GST, MSME, IEC, and trademark registration, can further bring the typical overall cost to ₹7,000–₹35,000 in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Startup India (DPIIT) recognition is completely free. The government does not charge any fee to apply for, obtain, or download the Certificate of Recognition.
- The main cost is incorporating your business, which typically ranges from ₹5,000 to ₹30,000, depending on the business structure and state.
- DPIIT does not authorize any agency or representative to collect government fees for Startup India recognition.
- Additional registrations after recognition, such as GST, Udyam, trademark, and patent registration, have their own fee structure. GST and Udyam are free, while trademark registration starts at ₹4,500 per class and patent filing fees start from ₹1,600 for eligible applicants.
How Much Does Registration on the Startup India Platform Cost? Stage Wise Summary
The table below summarizes the typical costs involved in incorporating your business and obtaining Startup India (DPIIT) recognition.
| Stage | What It Covers | Cost Range |
| Stage 1: Business Incorporation | Private Limited Company, LLP, or Partnership Firm registration | ₹5,000 to ₹30,000 |
| Stage 2: Startup India (DPIIT) Recognition | DPIIT recognition through the Startup India portal | ₹0 (completely free) |
| Optional: Professional Assistance | Professional support for preparing and filing the DPIIT recognition application | ₹1,999 |
| After Recognition: Additional Registrations (Optional) | GST, Trademark, MSME, IEC, Patent, and other registrations as required | ₹0 to ₹20,000+, depending on the registrations chosen |
| Total Cost (Incorporation + DPIIT Recognition) | End-to-end cost to set up your startup and obtain DPIIT recognition | ₹7,000 to ₹35,000+ |
Registration Fees for Startup India: Detailed Breakdown
While Startup India (DPIIT) recognition itself is completely free, incorporating your business incurs incorporation-related costs. Hence, the cost to register a startup in India depends on the chosen structure, state charges, and professional support:
| Fee Component | Who Charges It | Indicative Cost (2026) |
| Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) per director/partner | Licensed Certifying Authority | ₹2,500 per person |
| MCA filing fee (SPICe+ form) | Ministry of Corporate Affairs | ₹0 for authorized capital up to ₹15 lakh |
| Stamp duty on MOA / AOA | State government | ₹500 to ₹10,000+ (varies by state) |
| Name reservation (SPICe+ Part A or RUN-LLP) | MCA | ₹1,000 (if filed separately) |
| PAN & TAN | Income Tax Department | ₹0 (issued via SPICe+) |
| Professional or service fee | CA, CS, or service platform | ₹1,999 |
| Total indicative range | Combined | ₹5,000 to ₹30,000 |
Additional Startup Registration Costs After DPIIT Recognition
After receiving DPIIT recognition, startups often apply for additional registrations with separate fees. These are optional but commonly required as the business grows.
| Registration | Government Fee |
| GST Registration | Free |
| Trademark Registration | ₹4,500 per class for startups, MSMEs, and individuals; ₹9,000 per class for other applicants |
| Patent Registration | Starts from ₹1,600 per invention (up to 80% fee rebate for eligible DPIIT-recognised startups) |
| MSME (Udyam) Registration | Free |
| IEC (Import Export Code) Registration | ₹500 |
Hidden Costs Founders Often Overlook When Registering For Startup India
Many founders budget only for Startup India incorporation and overlook these additional costs:
- Pay for a DSC for each director or partner, not just the business.
- Budget for state stamp duty, which increases with your authorized share capital.
- Choose your company name carefully, as each fresh name reservation may attract another fee.
- Expect extra costs for trademarks and patents if you file in multiple classes or respond to objections.
- Maintain GST and IEC compliance after registration through regular filings and updates.
