Indian Startup Association Welcomes Removal of 3-Year Eligibility Condition for DSIR Recognition; Calls It a Landmark Reform for Deep-Tech Startups
New Delhi/Ranchi: The Indian Startup Association (ISUA) has welcomed the Government of India’s decision to remove the mandatory three year existence requirement for eligibility under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), describing it as a landmark and long awaited reform for India’s deep tech and innovation ecosystem.
With this change, early stage deep tech startups will now be eligible for DSIR recognition and associated R&D support based on technological maturity and innovation readiness, rather than the age of the company. The move is expected to significantly ease access to government backed research support for startups engaged in advanced and frontier technologies.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Rathin Bhadra, National President, Indian Startup Association, said:
“The removal of the three year eligibility condition for DSIR recognition is a decisive and visionary step by the Government of India. Deep tech innovation is driven by scientific progress and technological validation, not by the age of a company. This reform rightly aligns policy with the realities of research driven entrepreneurship.”
Mr. Bhadra noted that deep tech startups typically operate with long gestation periods, high R&D intensity, and delayed commercialization, which made the earlier age based eligibility norm a structural constraint.
“Many breakthrough technologies particularly in areas such as climate tech, clean energy, advanced materials, water and agritech, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and frontier sciences require early institutional support. This decision will enable startups to access DSIR recognition and R&D assistance at the stage when it is most critical.”
The Indian Startup Association stated that the reform is closely aligned with national initiatives including Startup India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and the Government’s broader push for research, development, and innovation, including the recently announced RDI financing framework.
According to ISUA, the policy change is expected to:
Enable earlier access to government R&D support for deep-tech startups
Encourage risk-taking and original research at the startup stage
Strengthen collaboration between startups, academic institutions, and research laboratories
Accelerate the development of indigenous technologies and reduce import dependence
While welcoming the decision, the Association emphasized the importance of clear implementation guidelines, transparent evaluation mechanisms, and widespread awareness among startups, particularly in Tier-2, Tier-3, and emerging innovation clusters.
“This reform has the potential to transform India’s deep tech startup landscape. Its true impact will depend on effective implementation and outreach so that deserving innovators across the country can benefit,” Mr. Bhadra added.
The Indian Startup Association reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Government of India, DSIR, and other stakeholders to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and support startups developing solutions of national and global relevance.
