Hiring your first employees brings a long list of labour-law obligations, and many founders worry about inspections they do not have time for. The Startup India portal offers a relief for this: self-certification. This guide explains what the official Startup India page says is covered, how a startup self-certifies, how inspections work, and the limits you should understand before you rely on it.
Quick facts
- What it is: startups self-certify compliance with certain labour and environment laws instead of going through routine inspections
- Labour laws covered: 9 laws, including the EPF Act 1952, the ESI Act 1948 and the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972
- Environment laws covered: 3 laws, only for startups in the White category of industries
- Where to do it: the Startup mobile app or the Shram Suvidha Portal for labour laws
- Inspections: the page says none will be conducted for 3 to 5 years, unless there is a credible written complaint
- Last checked: 4 November 2026 against the Startup India self-certification page, which showed a last update of 30 October 2026
What is self-certification for startups?
Self-certification means the startup declares that it follows certain laws, rather than being inspected on a routine schedule. The Startup India self-certification page says the aim is to make inspections more meaningful and simple. It is one of the compliance reliefs offered under the Startup India initiative, alongside the benefits we list in our guide to DPIIT-recognised startup benefits.
Self-certification is a relief from routine inspections. It does not remove the duty to follow the laws, and it does not stop an inspection after a serious complaint.
Which labour laws are covered?
The official page lists nine labour laws:
- Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996
- Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979
- Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
- Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970
- Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
- Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
- Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
- Trade Unions Act, 1926
- Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
Older government material you may see online refers to a shorter list of six labour laws. The page above is the current official source, so use it, and check it again before you rely on any list.
Which environment laws are covered?
Three environment laws are covered, and only for startups in the White category of industries. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has published a list of 36 White category industries, which the page references:
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess (Amendment) Act, 2003
- Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
If your startup is not in the White category, this part of the relief does not apply to you.
How do you self-certify?
For the labour laws, the page says you can self-certify through the Startup mobile app or through the Shram Suvidha Portal at shramsuvidha.gov.in. Self-certification format PDFs for the labour laws can be downloaded from the page. For the environment laws, the page does not name a specific portal or process, so check with your State Pollution Control Board or the Startup India helpdesk.
What does the page say about inspections?
For labour laws, the page states that no inspections will be conducted for a period of 3 to 5 years. A startup can still be inspected after a credible and verifiable complaint of violation, filed in writing, which must be approved by an officer at least one level senior to the inspecting officer. The page does not say exactly how the 3 to 5 year period is set, so ask the helpdesk or your advisor how it applies to your case.
What self-certification does not do
- It does not cover every law. Shops and establishment rules, professional tax, GST, income tax and company law filings still apply. See our guide to GST registration for startups for one of the main ones.
- It does not change what you owe employees. PF, ESI and gratuity obligations still apply where the law applies to your business.
- It is not a legal opinion. The official page does not define the word startup for this purpose in detail, so confirm whether your company qualifies. Most founders start with DPIIT recognition.
A short checklist
- Confirm your startup qualifies under the Startup India scheme
- Check which of the nine labour laws apply once you hire
- Self-certify through the Startup app or the Shram Suvidha Portal
- Check whether you are in the White category for the environment laws
- Keep your own records of registrations, payments and returns
- Re-read the official page every few months, because the lists have changed over time
Frequently asked questions
Is self-certification free?
The official page does not mention a fee for self-certification. Check the portal when you file.
How many labour laws can a startup self-certify?
The current Startup India page lists nine labour laws. Some older material mentions six.
Does self-certification mean no inspections at all?
No. The page says no labour-law inspections for 3 to 5 years, but a startup can still be inspected after a credible written complaint approved by a more senior officer.
Do I need a lawyer?
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For a specific compliance question, talk to a qualified professional.
