Startup Corner

Everything a startup in India needs to know beyond hiring: recognition and tax benefits, government funding, the certifications overseas buyers ask for, acquisitions and reverse flips, and the policy changes that affect you. Every figure links to its public source.

2.23 lakh+DPIIT-recognised startups, March 2026Source: DPIIT (PIB)~125Unicorns at 10 years of Startup India, January 2026Source: PIB$2.2 bnStartup funding, July to September 2026Source: Inc42₹10,000 crFund of Funds 2.0, approved February 2026Source: PM India

Guides

Researched in depth, with every number cited.

Startups

Startup India 2026: Recognition, Tax Benefits and Funding

DPIIT startup recognition under the 2026 definition, the tax holiday, angel tax, Fund of Funds 2.0, credit guarantees, RDI and sector grants, with sources.

5 min read, 26 sourcesStartups

ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR: Certifications Indian Startups Need

The certifications and compliance regimes Indian startups need to sell abroad: ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, the EU AI Act, FDA and DPDP, with dates.

5 min read, 23 sourcesStartups

Startup M&A and Reverse Flips in India: The 2026 Rules

How startup acquisitions, mergers and reverse flips work in India in 2026: CCI deal value threshold, fast-track mergers, FEMA rules, Press Note 2 and recent deals.

4 min read, 22 sourcesMarket Intelligence

Labour Codes 2026: What Employers Must Change in Hiring

India's labour codes for employers: the new wage definition, PF ceiling, gratuity, fixed-term staff, appointment letters and two-day final settlement.

6 min read, 22 sourcesLeadership

CXO Salary in India 2026: CEO Pay, Pay Mix and ESOPs

Median professional CEO pay in India was ₹10.5 crore in FY26; median CFO ₹4.5 crore. CXO pay mix, large-company packages, bank CEO rules, founder pay and ESOPs.

7 min read, 22 sourcesHiring Guides

The Funded Startup Recruiter Playbook: How to Hire Your First 10 Engineers

A practical playbook for founders and CTOs hiring the first ten engineers at a funded Indian startup: sequencing, profiles, process, pay and closing.

3 min read
Expanding into India?Hiring in India from abroad: Employer of Record or your own entityEntity options, foreign investment rules, setup steps, employment costs and when to use an EOR.Read the guide →

Policy and regulation updates

The changes that matter to startups, newest first.

  1. Q3 funding up 5%, deals down 13%

    Indian startups raised $2.2 billion in July to September 2026 across 210 deals.

    Source: Inc42

  2. First RDI scheme cohort: 14 startups

    22 projects backed under the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation scheme, at 3% to 4% for up to 15 years.

    Source: Business Today

  3. PF wage ceiling raised to ₹25,000

    The wage ceiling for provident fund coverage rose from ₹15,000 a month, under notification S.O. 5109(E).

    Source: KPMG

  4. ISO 9001:2026 published

    Companies certified to the 2015 edition have until 30 September 2029 to transition.

    Source: ISO/TC 176

  5. EU AI Act deadlines pushed back

    Obligations for stand-alone high-risk AI systems now apply from 2 December 2027.

    Source: White & Case

  6. Fund of Funds 2.0 guidelines issued

    SIDBI is the implementing agency, with four fund types: deep tech, micro VC, manufacturing and sector-agnostic.

    Source: PIB

  7. New Income-tax Act in force

    The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaces the 1961 Act; the startup tax holiday is now section 140.

    Source: PIB

  8. Land-border FDI rules eased

    Non-controlling beneficial stakes of up to 10% from land-border countries can use the automatic route.

    Source: King Stubb & Kasiva (Legal 500)

  9. Cabinet approves Fund of Funds 2.0

    A further ₹10,000 crore, focused on deep tech, technology-led manufacturing and founders beyond the metros.

    Source: PM India

  10. New startup definition, with a deep-tech category

    Startup status now lasts 10 years with turnover under ₹200 crore, or 20 years and ₹300 crore for deep tech.

    Source: Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan

  11. Budget proposes a longer GIFT City tax holiday

    IFSC units would get 20 consecutive tax-free years out of 25, up from 10 out of 15.

    Source: Business Standard

  12. National Startup Day: Gujarat tops the state ranking

    Fifth edition of the States' Startup Ranking, with 34 states and union territories taking part.

    Source: PIB

  13. Labour codes in force

    All four labour codes took effect, with a new definition of wages and mandatory appointment letters.

    Source: PIB

  14. DPDP Rules notified

    India's data protection rules, with an 18-month phased timeline for most obligations.

    Source: MeitY (PIB)

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