New Delhi, Feb. 9 -- India's startup policy framework has taken a notable step away from one-size-fits-all definitions. With the latest notification, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has formally recognised DeepTech startups as a distinct category, reshaping how long-horizon innovation is evaluated, funded, and supported.

At its core, the update acknowledges a long-standing gap between policy timelines and the commercial realities of science-led ventures. Unlike consumer or software startups, DeepTech companies often spend years in research, prototyping, and validation before revenue scales meaningfully. The revised definition signals an attempt to align regulation with that reality.

For the first time...