#STPI approval process

[taxcruxsocial]

🏢 STPI and Non-STPI Registration in India: A Complete Guide for IT & ITES Businesses (2025)

In India, the IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) sector has witnessed exponential growth. To promote exports and innovation in this domain, the government offers STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) and Non-STPI registration models. These schemes provide fiscal benefits, regulatory support, and infrastructure to IT units. In this guide, we’ll explain the eligibility, process, documentation,…

[sedexcertification]

Who Needs an ITES Certificate and Why?

In today’s hyper-connected world, technology-driven services are at the core of business growth, innovation, and global trade. From startups offering remote support solutions to established BPOs and SaaS companies, one essential credential that strengthens credibility and ensures regulatory compliance is the ITES certificate.

Whether you're an emerging startup, a mid-sized enterprise, or an IT-enabled service provider aiming for international markets, obtaining an ITES certificate isn't just beneficial—it’s often necessary.

If you're planning to align your IT-enabled services with global security standards, we recommend checking this ISO 27001 Certification Consulting Guide to take your compliance to the next level.

For one-on-one guidance or to initiate your certification journey, feel free to get in touch with our consultants.

📌 What Is an ITES Certificate?

An ITES certificate is an official approval granted to organizations operating in the Information Technology Enabled Services sector. This includes a wide spectrum of services delivered through IT infrastructure—such as BPO (Business Process Outsourcing), KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing), SaaS, remote technical support, telemedicine, e-learning, fintech services, and more.

Issued by authorized regulatory bodies (like Software Technology Parks of India or STPI), the certificate serves as proof that the business:

Is engaged in IT-enabled services

Complies with applicable norms

Is eligible for government incentives and export benefits

🏢 Who Needs an ITES Certificate?

Many assume that only large tech companies require an ITES certificate. In reality, it benefits and is often essential for a wide variety of businesses. Here’s a look at who really needs it—and why.

1. Startups in IT Services or SaaS

Startups offering web-based solutions, cloud tools, app development, or SaaS platforms can significantly benefit from an ITES certificate. It gives them the formal recognition they need to:

Apply for government grants or STPI schemes

Simplify foreign client onboarding

Establish early-stage compliance protocols

For startups aiming to serve global clients or seek funding, the certificate helps showcase operational maturity.

2. BPO/KPO Companies

Whether you're offering customer support, data entry, analytics, or accounting outsourcing, an ITES certificate is a foundational requirement. It helps BPOs:

Become eligible for STPI registration

Avail of export/import benefits

Qualify for global outsourcing contracts

This sector thrives on volume and trust—compliance documentation adds a layer of authenticity and confidence.

3. Telemedicine & HealthTech Startups

Companies delivering remote medical consultations, health analytics, or wellness platforms using technology should pursue ITES certification. It strengthens data security posture and ensures they’re operating under recognized ITES parameters.

Pairing this with ISO 27001 for Information Security gives such companies a competitive edge in the healthcare space.

4. E-Learning Platforms

EdTech startups delivering training, assessments, or learning management systems (LMS) benefit from an ITES certificate. It helps:

Build credibility with educational institutions

Support funding applications

Integrate with compliance-driven clients (e.g., universities, government projects)

5. Freelancers or Boutique Agencies Targeting Foreign Markets

Small IT consulting firms or even freelance development teams servicing clients abroad should formalize their operations by getting an ITES certificate. It facilitates:

Bank approvals for receiving international payments

GST exemptions on exports of services

Entry into more formal business ecosystems

✅ Why Is ITES Certification Important?

Now that we’ve identified who needs it, let’s talk about why it’s important. Beyond regulatory compliance, an ITES certificate provides tangible operational, financial, and reputational benefits.

1. Access to Government Incentives

With an ITES certificate, companies can:

Register under Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)

Avail tax holidays, infrastructure rebates, and capital subsidies

Gain access to schemes under MEITY and DPIIT

These incentives significantly reduce the cost of scaling operations.

2. Enhances Global Client Confidence

Foreign clients, especially from the US, UK, and EU, demand formal proof of business legitimacy before awarding contracts. Having an ITES certificate validates that:

The business operates legally under Indian ITES norms

Systems are in place for structured service delivery

Export documentation and GST compliance is maintained

This increases trust and deal closure rates.

3. Streamlines Legal, Banking & Compliance Functions

Many procedural tasks such as:

Opening Export-Import (EXIM) bank accounts

Getting DGFT licenses

Claiming export rebates and GST refunds

...become smoother with ITES certification. It prevents legal hiccups and gives a clear status to financial institutions and auditors.

4. Supports ISO Integration for Long-Term Growth

The ITES certificate builds a foundation for integrating other essential certifications like:

ISO 27001 – For Information Security Management

ISO 9001 – For Quality Management

ISO 20000 – For IT Service Management

This combined ecosystem allows companies to scale across geographies and industries without compliance risks. Learn more about how ISO 27001 strengthens ITES businesses here.

5. Prepares You for Global Expansion

Planning to launch in new countries? Sell to enterprises or governments? An ITES certificate improves your positioning in:

RFPs and tenders

Due diligence processes

Tech partnerships and channel programs

📁 Documents Required for ITES Certificate

While the exact list may vary depending on your jurisdiction, generally required documents include:

PAN, GST, and company registration

Nature of business and service details

Contracts with clients (especially exports)

Proof of infrastructure (office, IT assets, internet)

Employee list with qualifications

Consulting with professionals ensures timely approval and error-free documentation.

🧠 Real-Life ITES Certificate Use Cases

A SaaS product startup in Pune received their ITES certification, unlocking $50K in international orders after showcasing their compliance profile.

A remote education company in Bengaluru secured ITES + ISO 27001 certification and gained B2B contracts with government training departments.

A BPO in Gujarat used their certification to register under STPI and save up to 20% in operational costs through tax benefits.

💬 Final Thoughts

The digital world offers immense opportunities—but only to those who are prepared. An ITES certificate not only ensures regulatory compliance but also positions your company for sustainable success. From startups and freelancers to mid-sized agencies and enterprise service providers, this certification is essential for credibility, access to benefits, and scalable systems.

If you’re unsure whether your business qualifies or want help in getting started with the application process, talk to our team at 4C Consulting. With years of experience in compliance, documentation, and ISO implementation, we’ll help you get certified—smoothly and strategically.

[yourlegalconsultant]

Starting a business in Bengaluru requires multiple regulatory approvals, one of the most important being the BBMP trade license. Issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), this license is mandatory for businesses operating within the city limits. However, many applicants make avoidable mistakes during the application process, leading to delays, penalties, or even rejection. Understanding these common errors and learning how to navigate the process correctly can save time and ensure smooth business operations.

[vsplusonline]

20 lakh IT-BPO employees of STPI units can work from home

New Post has been published on https://apzweb.com/20-lakh-it-bpo-employees-of-stpi-units-can-work-from-home/

20 lakh IT-BPO employees of STPI units can work from home

Close to 20 lakh employees of leading IT-BPO companies which were operating at Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) units, have been given a go-ahead to work from home through a notification by STPI on Thursday. This has been one of the key demands of the IT-BPO industry given the Coronavirus pandemic, and industry association Nasscom has been in talks with the government for over a week to allow employees of units which are operating from the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to work from home.

STPI DG Omkar Rai told ET that companies will just have to inform the STPI before asking their employees to shift the necessary infrastructure out of office such as laptops to operate from home. “Three years back, we incorporated a provision in the foreign trade policy to allow work from home. And since the provision was already there, we issued a blanket approval yesterday to implement the policy, given the current circumstances,” Rai said.

The waiver is likely to benefit employees of BPO companies more. However, the statistics in terms of how many employees have availed of the facility is awaited.

The Department of Telecom, on the other hand is yet to take a call of allowing employees which are operating from SEZs to operate from home.

ET had reported last week that Nasscom had asked government to relax norms to allow work-from-home for technology and backoffice employees as a measure to deal with the spread of Covid-19 virus in India atleast for a month.

Nasscom had written a letter to the department of telecom secretary Anshu Prakash, saying that the telecom regulatory authority of India (Trai) had recommended to remove restrictions around Work from Home last year after a consultation process. The letter requested the government’s “urgent intervention” to waive-off the conditions as an “emergency” measure for a month post which the government may take a call on it depending on the public health situation at that time.

Nasscom had another meeting with DoT today on the issue.

“Thank you Secretary @DoT_India for taking the time to talk to us and understand the concerns. Majorly appreciate the same. And we look forward to your support for a speedy resolution. Thank you!,” Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom tweeted on Friday.

NV (Tiger) Tyagarajan, CEO of Genpact had said on Twitter earlier this week, “This is hugely important, have to move with speed with @nasscom support with

@DoT_India, we @Genpact have to find a way to serve our clients we have executed in China, Philippines, Rumania, US etc …. we need India to follow very fast.”

if(geolocation && geolocation != 5 && (typeof skip == 'undefined' || typeof skip.fbevents == 'undefined')) !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '338698809636220'); fbq('track', 'PageView');

Source link

[optimisticprincepainter]

The Odisha government  decided to provide all support to set up a world-class state-of-the-art centre of excellence in the Research and Entrepreneurship Park of IIT -Bhubaneswar to boost startups in the state. It would be a centre of Virtual and Augmented Reality for Immersive Visualization. The decision was taken at the second Startup Council meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi. The centre was given a kick-start by philanthropic contribution of Rs 2.5 crore from entrepreneur Susmita Bagchi and a matching grant of Rs 2.5 crore by the state government. Omkar Rai, Director General of Software Technology Park of India (STPI), assured all support from STPI and appraised that it would provide a fund support of Rs 2.5 crore for the centre. R.V. Raja Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology-Bhubaneswar Director, said that the centre would have a world-class incubation centre, laboratory, highly-focused courses along with education and skill development programmes. Meanwhile, 130 start-up ventures in 34 sectors have been recognised and brought under the fold of Odisha Startup Initiative. The council approved the product development and financial assistance in favour of two new startups in the field of ‘automation in Industry maintenance’, and ‘alternative technology for repair of oil and gas pipelines’. Besides, various activities for coming six months with estimated expenditure of Rs 15 crore was discussed and approved in the meeting. “So far, 18 innovative entrepreneurs are getting financial assistance from the council. With today’s approval of two more, the number grows to 20,” said MSME Secretary Laxmi Narayan Gupta. “These startups are working in 34 different sectors ranging from agriculture to aeronautics, from analytic to virtual reality, health sector to human resources, IT services to internet of things, renewable energy to robotics and from tourism to transportation.” Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority, Subroto Bagchi, suggested having more engagement with sponsoring and evaluating institutions for scouting increasing number of innovations. The meeting nominated XIMB, Centurial University, IITM, and KIIT for evaluating the startup proposals and sponsoring those to the council. Earlier, the council had nominated six nodal agencies — IIT, Bhubaneswar, STPI, Bhubaneswar, NIT, Rourkela, IMMT, Bhubaneswar, OUAT, Bhubaneswar and NIFT, Bhubaneswar — for evaluating and processing start up applications.  IANS : 1st. Nov,17

IIT, BHUBANESWAR WILL GET WORLD CLASS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE : The Odisha government  decided to provide all support to set up a world-class state-of-the-art centre of excellence in the Research and Entrepreneurship Park of IIT -Bhubaneswar to boost startups in the state.

[sedexcertification]

Why Every ITES Organization Needs an ITES Certificate

In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services) organizations are becoming the backbone of global outsourcing, cloud support, and remote business operations. But while talent and technology drive innovation, compliance and credibility drive growth. That’s where the ITES certificate comes into play.

The ITES certificate is not just a bureaucratic formality—it is a business accelerator. It boosts your organization’s reputation, opens doors to government incentives, and instills confidence in global clients. In this blog, we’ll explore why every ITES organization should obtain an ITES certificate, complete with real-life examples and expert insight.

✅ Ready to strengthen your information security before applying for an ITES certificate? Check out our ISO 27001 consulting and training services for ITES companies. 📞 Have questions about the ITES certificate process? Contact our team today for personalized guidance.

What Is an ITES Certificate?

An ITES certificate is an official document issued by recognized government or regulatory bodies that classifies a business under the Information Technology Enabled Services sector. This includes companies involved in:

BPO (Business Process Outsourcing)

KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing)

IT helpdesk and support services

Cloud computing and infrastructure management

Data analytics and processing

Technical content creation

Remote IT development and consulting

This certification helps companies prove eligibility for government incentives, gain access to export schemes, and build trust with national and international clients.

Benefits of an ITES Certificate with Examples

Let’s break down the practical benefits of the ITES certificate and explore real-world examples of how organizations have leveraged it to grow:

1. Establishes Legitimacy and Builds Trust

In an industry where trust is everything—especially when dealing with sensitive client data—certification shows that your business follows structured processes and operates within a recognized framework.

Example: A startup BPO firm in Hyderabad secured a Fortune 500 client after showcasing its ITES certificate, which assured the client of its data handling practices.

2. Eligibility for Export Incentives and SEZ Benefits

With an ITES certificate, your organization may qualify for benefits under Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Special Economic Zones (SEZ), and other government schemes that offer tax exemptions, foreign trade benefits, and funding.

Example: A mid-size data entry company in Pune received STPI registration post-certification and was able to reinvest the tax savings into expanding its operations.

3. Improves Tender Eligibility and Funding Opportunities

Public sector tenders and international outsourcing contracts often require companies to have a valid ITES certificate, along with other process certifications like ISO 27001.

Example: A technical support company in Delhi won a government e-governance project after clearing prequalification thanks to its ITES certificate and ISO-compliant security protocols.

Why ITES Certificate Matters More in 2025

The global outsourcing landscape is evolving, with increased emphasis on:

Data privacy and compliance

Cybersecurity frameworks

Client-side audits

Cross-border service regulations

The ITES certificate has become a minimum entry requirement for businesses that want to be taken seriously in the global services industry.

In 2025, the ITES tag isn’t optional—it’s essential for:

Demonstrating industry recognition

Passing supplier compliance checks

Getting listed on approved vendor panels

Attracting and retaining enterprise clients

ITES Certificate vs. Other Business Licenses

Unlike general business licenses, the ITES certificate specifically categorizes a company under the IT and ITES industry, allowing access to:

Sector-specific tax benefits

ISO alignment for information security

Compliance with IT Act, GDPR, and global data protection laws

Access to NASSCOM, STPI, and other tech-body programs

Want to align your ITES processes with world-class data protection standards? Learn more about our ISO 27001 consulting services for ITES organizations.

Steps to Obtain an ITES Certificate

Here’s a simple roadmap for getting your ITES certificate:

Step 1: Identify Eligibility

Ensure your organization falls under one of the ITES service categories like BPO, technical support, software services, etc.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

Documents typically required include:

Company registration

GST and PAN details

Nature of services

Client references or work orders

Process documentation

Step 3: Submit Application

Apply through the local District Industries Centre (DIC), STPI, or appropriate authority, depending on your region.

Step 4: Inspection and Verification

Authorities may conduct an inspection or request additional clarification.

Step 5: Certification

Once approved, the certificate is issued with validity ranging from 1 to 5 years.

Who Should Apply for an ITES Certificate?

The ITES certificate is ideal for:

Startups entering the tech services industry

SMEs aiming to scale with government aid or export benefits

Established ITES firms preparing for ISO audits or international expansion

Freelancers and consultants who want to work under certified umbrella firms

ITES Certificate with Examples: Real Stories, Real Growth

Still unsure about its impact? Here are more real-life examples of how the ITES certificate transformed businesses:

A cloud support firm in Bangalore expanded to Australia after the ITES certificate helped it pass international vendor verification.

A technical writing firm in Chennai landed a long-term partnership with a US client, who specifically requested ITES-certified vendors.

A small remote IT team in Jaipur applied for ISO 27001 and GDPR alignment using the ITES certificate as a base for compliance mapping.

Final Thoughts: ITES Certificate is More Than Just Paper

In a competitive services economy, recognition is everything. The ITES certificate with examples shows how companies have gone from local to global, and small to scalable—just by taking that first step toward structured certification.

Whether you're targeting large-scale clients, government tenders, or simply want to elevate your brand’s credibility, this certificate is your gateway to new possibilities.

📌 Don’t wait until your competitors outrun you. Secure your place in the global ITES market by investing in the right certifications. ✅ Get future-ready with our ISO 27001 consulting and training services to enhance your compliance framework. 📩 Have more questions or want help applying for your ITES certificate? Contact us now and our experts will guide you through the process.