6 February 2026-New Delhi
New Delhi: Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has welcomed the Government of India’s decision to expand the definition of startups by doubling the turnover threshold to ₹200 crore, alongside the notification of specific provisions for deep-tech startups. The reform marks a significant and forward-looking policy intervention aimed at enabling growth-stage startups to scale with greater certainty, while recognising the unique capital, R&D, and time-intensive requirements of frontier technologies.
Mr Chadarjit Banejee said “Government of India’s decision to expand the definition of startups by doubling the turnover threshold to ₹200 crore, a move that will allow more growth-stage, innovation-driven enterprises to remain within the startup ecosystem as they scale. Equally significant is the notification of specific provisions for deep-tech startups, including an extended recognition period of up to 20 years and a higher turnover threshold, in view of the longer gestation cycles, high R&D intensity, and capital-heavy nature of frontier technologies. Together, these reforms will provide greater certainty to founders, enable sustained innovation, and attract patient, long-term capital. By strengthening support for deep-tech today, India is building globally competitive capabilities, enhancing strategic self-reliance, and laying the foundation for long-term technology leadership aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
This significant reform reflects a deep understanding of the evolving entrepreneurial landscape and will enable a broader spectrum of innovative enterprises to continue accessing key benefits and support. This forward-looking move by the government will catalyze greater investment, fuel innovation, and reinforce India’s position as a hub for world-class startups, said Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan, Past President, CII & Chairman,
CII Centre of Excellence on Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Startups.
Mr Kunal Bahl, Chairman, CII National Startup Council, Co-founder, AceVector & Titan Capital mentioned, this progressive step will enable more founders to continue benefiting from the Startup India framework as they scale, reflecting the government’s strong commitment to entrepreneurship and to strengthening India’s position as a global innovation hub.
India’s deep tech ecosystem has come a long way over the last decade. The talent base is deeper, founder conviction is stronger, and capital and manufacturing capabilities are finally coming together. The updated startup recognition framework is a timely step. was the view of Tarun Mehta, Cochairman CII Unicorn forum & Cofounder and CEO Ather Energy..
