Step-by-Step Guide 4 Steps

How to Register on BHASKAR Platform for Startup Ecosystem

Complete guide to registering on the BHASKAR platform for India's startup ecosystem. Covers registration process, BHASKAR ID, features, eligibility, and networking benefits.

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Dhanush Prabha
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How to Register on BHASKAR Platform for Startup Ecosystem
Reviewed by Industry Experts & Startup Specialists.
Last Updated: 
Quick Overview
Estimated Cost₹0
Time Required15 to 30 Minutes
Total Steps4 Steps
What You'll Need

Documents Required

  • Entity registration certificate (company COI, LLP certificate, or DPIIT recognition)
  • PAN card of the entity or individual
  • Valid email address and mobile number for OTP verification
  • Brief description of the startup, products, and services
  • Logo and banner image for the profile (optional but recommended)

Tools & Prerequisites

  • Internet-enabled device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) with a modern browser
  • Access to the BHASKAR portal at bhaskar.startupindia.gov.in

The BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) platform is a free, government-backed digital platform connecting India's startup ecosystem. Registration takes 15-30 minutes and provides a unique BHASKAR ID, access to a national directory of startups, investors, mentors, and incubators, and discovery tools for government schemes and funding opportunities. The platform is managed by DPIIT under the Startup India initiative. This guide covers the complete registration process and how to maximize the platform's networking and discovery features.

  • Free registration: no fees for any stakeholder category
  • BHASKAR ID: unique digital identity in the startup ecosystem
  • All stakeholders: startups, investors, mentors, incubators, corporates, academia
  • Registration time: 15-30 minutes (instant approval)
  • DPIIT recognition not required: open to all startups

What is BHASKAR?

BHASKAR stands for Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry. It is a centralized digital platform launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to create a unified registry of India's startup ecosystem stakeholders. The platform connects startups with investors, mentors, incubators, accelerators, corporates, and government agencies through a searchable directory and networking tools. BHASKAR aims to solve the discoverability problem in India's startup ecosystem -- making it easier for startups to find the right investors, for investors to find the right startups, and for mentors to connect with founders who need their expertise.

BHASKAR was launched by DPIIT as part of the Startup India initiative. Access at bhaskar.startupindia.gov.in. The platform complements the existing Startup India portal (recognition and compliance) by adding networking and ecosystem connectivity. It is free for all users and available nationwide.

Stakeholder Categories

CategoryWho Can RegisterKey Features
StartupsDPIIT-recognized and non-recognized startupsInvestor discovery, mentor matching, scheme access
InvestorsAngels, VCs, PEs, family officesDeal flow discovery, startup filtering by sector/stage
MentorsIndustry experts, serial entrepreneursStartup matching, mentoring dashboard
IncubatorsStartup incubators and acceleratorsStartup onboarding, program visibility
CorporatesCompanies with startup programsInnovation scouting, partnership discovery
GovernmentState agencies, ministriesScheme promotion, ecosystem analytics
AcademiaUniversities, research institutionsIndustry-academia connections, IP transfer

A complete, detailed profile gets 3-5x more views than a basic profile. Include: a compelling 250-500 word description of your startup (problem, solution, traction), your logo and banner image, team member details with LinkedIn links, key milestones and achievements, and specific tags matching your sector and technology. Investors and mentors use keyword searches -- ensure your profile includes relevant keywords that match what they are searching for (e.g., 'SaaS', 'B2B', 'fintech', 'Series A ready').

Step-by-Step Registration

Step 1: Visit the Portal and Select Category

Navigate to bhaskar.startupindia.gov.in. Click 'Register' and select your stakeholder category. If you have an existing Startup India account, click 'Login with Startup India' to link accounts. For new users, proceed with fresh registration by entering your name, email address, and mobile number. Verify via OTP (sent to both email and mobile). Create a password for future logins.

Step 2: Complete Entity Details

Fill in your entity information: legal name, incorporation date, registration number (CIN, LLPIN, or DPIIT number), PAN, registered office address, website URL, and social media links. Select your primary sector from the dropdown (60+ sectors available) and up to 3 secondary sectors. Indicate your current stage: ideation, validation, early traction, scaling, or established. Enter team size and annual revenue range (optional but recommended for investor discovery).

Step 3: Build Your Profile

Write a compelling description (250-500 words) covering: what your startup does, the problem you solve, your unique approach, current traction, and what you are looking for (investment, mentorship, partnerships). Upload your logo (minimum 200x200 px) and banner image (1200x300 px recommended). Add team members with their roles and LinkedIn profiles. List key milestones: founding date, product launch, first revenue, funding rounds, and notable achievements. The more complete your profile, the higher it ranks in search results.

Step 4: Get BHASKAR ID and Start Networking

Upon profile completion, you receive your unique BHASKAR ID instantly. Use the platform to: search the directory by sector, stage, location, and stakeholder type; send connection requests to investors and mentors; browse government schemes (filtered by eligibility); explore upcoming events and challenges; and track ecosystem trends through analytics dashboards. Set notification preferences to receive alerts about new investor connections, scheme launches, and relevant events.

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Summary

BHASKAR is a free, government-backed platform connecting India's startup ecosystem stakeholders. Registration takes 15-30 minutes and provides a unique BHASKAR ID for discovery and networking. The platform is open to all stakeholders -- startups (DPIIT-recognized or not), investors, mentors, incubators, corporates, and academia. Key benefits: investor and mentor discovery, government scheme access, event participation, and ecosystem analytics. Complete your profile thoroughly to maximize visibility. Link your Startup India account for verified status and enhanced features.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BHASKAR platform?
BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) is a centralized digital platform launched by DPIIT under the Startup India initiative. It connects all startup ecosystem stakeholders: startups, investors, mentors, incubators, accelerators, corporates, and government bodies. The platform provides a unified directory, networking tools, scheme discovery, and knowledge resources. BHASKAR assigns a unique BHASKAR ID to each registered entity, creating a national registry of the Indian startup ecosystem.
Is BHASKAR registration free?
Yes. BHASKAR registration is completely free for all stakeholder categories: startups, investors, mentors, incubators, accelerators, corporates, and government bodies. There is no annual fee or subscription charge. The platform is funded by the Government of India through DPIIT. All features -- directory access, networking, scheme discovery, and knowledge resources -- are available at no cost. This makes it the most accessible networking platform for the Indian startup ecosystem.
Who can register on BHASKAR?
BHASKAR is open to all startup ecosystem stakeholders: startups (DPIIT-recognized and non-recognized), investors (angel investors, venture capitalists, PE firms), mentors (industry experts, serial entrepreneurs, domain specialists), incubators and accelerators, corporates (companies with startup programs), government bodies (state startup agencies, ministries), and academia (universities, research institutions). Both Indian and foreign stakeholders operating in India can register.
What is a BHASKAR ID?
A BHASKAR ID is a unique identification number assigned to every registered entity on the platform. It serves as your digital identity in the Indian startup ecosystem. The BHASKAR ID links to your complete profile: entity details, sector, stage, funding history, team, and achievements. It is used for discovery (investors and mentors can find you by ID), verification (confirming registration status), and tracking (ecosystem participation and milestones).
What are the benefits of BHASKAR registration?
Benefits: visibility in the national startup ecosystem directory, networking with investors, mentors, and corporates, scheme discovery (central and state government startup schemes), mentorship connections (matched based on sector and needs), event access (Startup India events, challenges, hackathons), knowledge resources (reports, case studies, guides), credibility signal (registered on government platform), and data insights (ecosystem trends and benchmarks).
Do I need DPIIT recognition to register on BHASKAR?
No. DPIIT recognition is not mandatory for BHASKAR registration. Both recognized and non-recognized startups can register. However, DPIIT-recognized startups get additional benefits: verified badge on their profile, higher visibility in search results, access to FFS-backed AIF connections, and eligibility for Startup India schemes. If you have DPIIT recognition, link your Startup India account to BHASKAR for automatic profile enrichment.
How is BHASKAR different from Startup India portal?
The Startup India portal (startupindia.gov.in) is the primary platform for DPIIT startup recognition, scheme applications, and compliance. BHASKAR is a networking and ecosystem connectivity platform focused on discovery, matchmaking, and knowledge sharing. Think of Startup India as the regulatory platform (registration and compliance) and BHASKAR as the networking platform (connections and opportunities). Both are managed by DPIIT and can be linked.
Can investors register on BHASKAR?
Yes. Investors of all types can register: angel investors (individuals), angel networks, venture capital firms, private equity firms, family offices, corporate venture arms, and impact investors. Investor profiles include: investment thesis, sector preferences, stage preference, ticket size range, portfolio companies, and contact information. BHASKAR helps investors discover deal flow by browsing startup profiles filtered by sector, stage, location, and funding status.
Can mentors register on BHASKAR?
Yes. Industry experts, serial entrepreneurs, domain specialists, and professionals can register as mentors. Mentor profiles include: areas of expertise, industry experience, mentoring focus (strategy, technology, fundraising, marketing), availability, and preferred engagement format (virtual/in-person). BHASKAR's matching algorithm connects mentors with startups based on sector alignment and specific needs. Mentoring is typically provided pro bono through the platform.
How long does BHASKAR registration take?
Basic registration takes 15-30 minutes: account creation and OTP verification (5 minutes), profile completion (10-20 minutes), and BHASKAR ID generation (instant). Profile enhancement (adding detailed descriptions, milestones, team details, media) may take additional time but is optional. There is no review or approval process -- registration is instant and self-service. You can update your profile anytime after registration.
What information is visible to others on BHASKAR?
Your public profile shows: entity name, BHASKAR ID, sector/industry, stage, location, brief description, and website link. Contact details (email, phone) are shared only when you explicitly connect with another stakeholder or respond to a connection request. You can control privacy settings for sensitive information. Financial data, cap table details, and proprietary business information are never displayed publicly. The platform follows data protection guidelines.
Can I link BHASKAR to my Startup India account?
Yes. If you already have a Startup India account (for DPIIT recognition), you can link it to BHASKAR during or after registration. Linking provides: pre-filled profile data from your Startup India application, verified badge showing DPIIT recognition status, unified login across both platforms, and automatic sync of recognition certificate and compliance status. This saves time and adds credibility to your BHASKAR profile.
Is BHASKAR available as a mobile app?
BHASKAR is currently accessible through the web browser at bhaskar.startupindia.gov.in. The platform is mobile-responsive, meaning it works on smartphones and tablets through the browser. A dedicated mobile app may be launched in future phases. For the best experience, use a desktop browser for initial registration and profile setup, and access the platform via mobile browser for networking and quick checks.
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Guide by Dhanush Prabha

Dhanush Prabha is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at IncorpX, leading platform development, digital growth, and product strategy. With experience in full-stack development, scalable systems, SEO, and marketing automation, he focuses on building technology-driven solutions and educational business resources for startups and growing businesses. He writes on technology, entrepreneurship, business setup processes, and digital transformation.