Lapsed in force from 25 Jul 2017 Government Order Startups and innovation IT & ITeSRural and social enterprise

Innovation Policy 2016

Telangana Innovation Policy 2016

Instrument
G.O.Ms.No.10, ITE&C (Promotions) Dept., 25 Jul 2017 1 p.1 1 p.11
Issued by
ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana
Reviewed
23 Oct 2026

Intent

Anchor the state's entrepreneurship effort to T-Hub and build startup space, funds, student support, industry links and rural and social enterprise, in five pillars.

Source 2 p.8 2 p.9

Mechanism

  1. 1 Recognition A startup or incubator is recognised by the state; a startup in a state-supported incubator is deemed recognised. 1 p.15 1 p.16
  2. 2 Application One common form, emailed to the Startup Cell. 1 p.14 3 p.1
  3. 3 Decision The Executive Committee scrutinises and the Startup Council decides, subject to budget. There is no entitlement. 1 p.17 1 p.24
  4. 4 Review The Council's decision is final except for a one-time review on an emailed request. 1 p.15
Policy period
Ended about 25 Jul 2022
No extension or successor found
In force 5 years from the G.O. date, 25 Jul 2017
23 Oct 2026 Derived Instrument 1 p.11 4 para 1
T-Hub Phase 2 built-up area
5,82,689 sq ft
Opened 28 Jun 2022; size from press
Promised: 3,00,000 sq ft for 900 startups
Jun 2022 Source Press 20 2 p.10
T-Fund money reported
Corpus not reported
Rs 15 crore allocated and Rs 1.5 crore awarded in 2021-22; no corpus published
Policy's initial target Rs 2,000 crore
2021-22 Derived Official claim 2 p.13 16 p.34
Incentives sanctioned
28 startups, about Rs 91 lakh
No later count published
73 applications, "so far" at March 2021
2020-21 Source Official claim 15 p.20 15 p.31

Signals

The questions readers ask, answered in 25 words or fewer. Open "Why" for the reasoning.

  1. Key signal · Finding Derived Instrument

    Is this policy still in force?

    No, it lapsed

    G.O.Ms.No.10 ran five years from 25 July 2017. The ITE&C order register shows no extension or successor, though the state portal still lists its incentives.

    Why

    Para 11 of G.O.Ms.No.10 and G.O.Ms.No.13 both fix the term at five years from 25 July 2017. The portal's own incentive page limits patent claims to "25-07-2017 – 25-07-2022". The 2026 Socio Economic Outlook reports a review with recommendations for "the State Innovation Policy" but states no successor.

    1 p.11 4 para 1 8 7 19 p.143 PolicyLegalInvestor Trajectory →
  2. Finding Source Instrument

    What do I get, and who decides?

    Not an entitlement

    Meeting the criteria confers no right to an incentive. The Startup Council sanctions each claim subject to budget, and its decision is final.

    Why

    Annexure I says eligibility "does not confer any right" and sanction depends on budget, and the Executive Committee may approve, reject or defer "at its sole/logical discretion". A one-time review by email is allowed; the G.O. does not say who reviews. Claims go to the Startup Cell, and T-Hub was only its temporary window.

    1 p.17 1 p.24 1 p.15 1 p.12 InvestorLegal Provisions →
  3. Caution Derived Instrument

    Did it reach its startup target?

    No such target

    The Innovation Policy sets no startup-count target. The 5,000 figure is the ICT Framework 2016's target of support to 5,000 startups.

    Why

    The Innovation Policy's numeric targets are 1 million sq ft of startup space, 20 global accelerators, two Tier-II incubators and a 3,00,000 sq ft T-Hub Phase 2. The ICT Framework 2016 sets "incubation and mentorship support to 5000 startups in the next 5 years". DPIIT lists 13,866 recognised Telangana startups, a count that measures neither target.

    2 p.9 2 p.10 26 p.18 1 p.2 27 ResearchPolicy Provisions →
  4. Finding Derived Press

    Has the state built the workspace it promised?

    Yes, and larger

    T-Hub Phase 2 opened on 28 June 2022 with 5,82,689 sq ft built-up area, against the 3,00,000 sq ft the policy promised.

    Why

    The policy and G.O. promised a 3,00,000 sq ft facility for 900 startups "within the next 5 years"; press says the campus will support over 2,000. Counted from 4 April 2016 that is April 2021; counted from the G.O., July 2022, so the opening is late or on time depending on the clock. No source measures the policy's other space target of 1 million sq ft.

    2 p.10 1 p.3 20 21 1 p.15 ResearchPolicy Evidence →
  5. Caution Derived Instrument

    Which text sets the incentive amounts?

    Booklet and G.O. differ

    The booklet and the G.O. set different caps. Incubator capital subsidy is Rs 5 crore in the booklet, Rs 30 lakh in the G.O.

    Why

    G.O.Ms.No.10 restates the incentives in para 9.1 with the Rs 30 lakh cap and adds a Rs 1 crore minimum investment. The booklet's Rs 5 crore applied only to projects that signed an MoU within two years. G.O.Ms.No.6 (2021) later lifted the SGST turnover limit, extended it to five years and capped it at Rs 10 lakh per startup.

    2 p.21 1 p.10 1 p.31 5 p.2 InvestorLegal Provisions →
  6. Caution Derived Official claim

    Is the T-Fund a Rs 2,000 crore fund?

    No, Rs 15 crore

    Rs 2,000 crore is the policy's initial target for a master fund. The only reported money is Rs 15 crore allocated in 2021-22.

    Why

    Rs 1.5 crore of that was awarded to three startups. The policy describes a master fund investing in venture funds; the state portal now describes a co-investment fund investing in startups directly. No launch date, order or later-year figure is published.

    2 p.13 1 p.5 16 p.34 15 p.31 8 7 InvestorResearch Evidence →
  7. Caution Derived Press

    Did T-Hub's startups raise $1.9 billion?

    Not $1.9 billion

    T-Hub itself reported Rs 1,860 crore+ in August 2022. The Chief Minister said $1.19 billion in June 2022. No document read says $1.9 billion.

    Why

    T-Hub's figure is its own count for cohort startups; the Chief Minister's is about Rs 9,300 crore at Rs 78 per dollar. A state report gives more than Rs 2,269 crore for six named alumni, above T-Hub's own total. No independent count was found.

    23 20 16 p.32 ResearchPolicy Evidence →

Provisions

Source
Targets
1 million sq ft of startup space; 20 global accelerators; 2 Tier-II incubators; T-Hub Phase 2 of 3,00,000 sq ft for 900 startups, all "in the next 5 years". 2 p.9 2 p.10
T-Hub as anchor
T-Hub is the "nodal agency to lead or support entrepreneurship efforts of the government as per the need". 2 p.10
Startup Council
Advisory and Executive Committees; the Executive Committee scrutinises and recommends or decides every incentive claim. 1 p.24
Startup Cell
Windows across the state, run by the Chief Innovation Officer. 4 paras 5, 8
Common application
One form, emailed. 1 p.14 3 p.1
Incubator incentives
Stamp duty and registration fee reimbursed 100% then 50%; matching grant 1:1 up to Rs 50 lakh; operating grant Rs 25,000 per startup up to Rs 10 lakh per institute a year for three years; internet 25% up to Rs 2.5 lakh a year; lease subsidy; capital subsidy 20%, minimum investment Rs 1 crore, maximum Rs 30 lakh; industrial power tariff. 1 pp.26-31 1 p.37
Startup incentives
SGST reimbursement; 30% of trade-show costs up to Rs 5 lakh; patent costs up to Rs 2 lakh (India) or Rs 10 lakh (foreign); Rs 10,000 per recruit; a grant of 5% of turnover up to Rs 10 lakh for 15% growth. 1 pp.32-36
2021 amendment
SGST turnover limit lifted, period five years, Rs 10 lakh overall cap per startup; patent cover extended to designs and trademarks. 5 p.2
Bank guarantee Unclear
Stamp duty and capital subsidy claims need a bank guarantee for the claim amount, valid three years. The form lists it for those two only, so it is unclear whether it applies to every claimant. 1 p.26 1 p.31
Retroactivity
Three incentives apply from 4 April 2016; the others reach existing and new companies. 1 p.15
Deemed recognition
A startup in a state-run, supported or recognised incubator is deemed recognised; a GoI-recognised incubator is too. 1 p.15 1 p.16
Free cloud space
State Data Centre space free in year one for startups no more than two years old with an audited application. 1 p.13
Innovation Zones
Five departments a year, two workshops and four problem statements each. 1 p.14
One-time review Unclear
Email request after a Council decision. The reviewer is not named. 1 p.15
Funds promised, not specified Unclear
Fund-of-funds (no amount), T-SEED Rs 250 crore, Phoenix Fund, Impact Fund. 2 p.13 2 p.20
Term
Five years from issue; the Guidelines and the Council's term end with it. 1 p.11 1 p.16 1 p.25

Who it affects

  • Startups Benefit Reimbursements and grants, at the Council's discretion. 1 pp.32-36 1 p.17
  • Incubators and host institutes Duty + benefit Subsidies, with bank guarantees on two. 1 pp.26-31
  • Private incubators in PPP mode Benefit Infrastructure funds and priority utilities; apply by emailed EoI. 1 p.12 1 p.13
  • State departments Mandate "mandated to setup innovation zones". 1 p.14
  • T-Hub Foundation Mandate Nodal agency and temporary Startup Cell window; ex-officio seats on the Advisory Committee. 2 p.10 1 p.12 1 p.24
  • Universities Unclear "encouraged" to grant grace marks, gap years. 2 p.14
  • Venture capital firms Benefit May ask the Council, through the Cell, for government participation in funds. 1 p.13

Evidence

What the record shows, with its basis and date. State figures are labelled as state-reported.

Measure Value As of Grounding and sources
Incentives sanctioned"so far" 73 applications, 28 startups, 90+ lakh 2020-21 Source Official claim 15 p.20 15 p.31
T-Fund2021-22 budget Rs 15 crore allocated; Rs 1.5 crore awarded to 3 startups 2021-22 Source Official claim 16 p.34
T-Hub co-investment fundReported by the state Rs 10 crore, alongside T-Fund Mar 2025 Source Official claim 18 p.79
T-Spark grantsDisbursed Rs 2.75 crore to 55 startups, Rs 5 lakh each 2024-25 Source Official claim 18 p.110
TSIRI incentivesReported by the department Rs 30 lakh to 12 innovators and 6 startups 2022-23 Source Official claim 17 p.20
Startups registered, state portalCounter, undefined 11,839 (5,981 women-led; 5,000+ incubatees; 74 incubators) 23 Oct 2026 Source Statistic 9
DPIIT-recognised startups, TelanganaLive count, no as-of date 13,866 (7,032 women-led) 24 Oct 2026 Source Statistic 27
State-supported incubators listedList 19, six outside Hyderabad Jan 2023 Source Statistic 10
T-Hub 2.0 built-up areaAt opening 5,82,689 sq ft Jun 2022 Source Press 20 21
T-Hub, self-reportedOwn homepage 1,100+ startups impacted; Rs 1,860 crore+ funding; 1,500+ jobs 4 Aug 2022 Source Self-reported 23
T-Hub welcomed2021-22 533 startups 2021-22 Source Self-reported 16 p.32
T-Hub ecosystem fundingFY2024-25 $291 million Mar 2025 Source Self-reported 18 p.79

Data warnings

  • "Startups registered" on the state portal is not a DPIIT count and has no stated definition. It is a live counter. 9
  • T-Hub's "1800+ startups" counted access, not incubation; the same page says CatalysT had housed over 300. Its counts differ by page and date. 11 24
  • T-Hub 2.0 size: 5,82,689 sq ft (press, opening) and "over 572,000" (T-Hub, now). "World's largest" is T-Hub's and the state's claim; one press piece also says second-largest. 20 21 11
  • The 2020-21 annual report says incentives were "sanctioned" on p.20 and "given" on p.31 for the same 28 startups. Sanctioned is not paid. 15 p.20 15 p.31
  • The G.O. names the Council's chair "Secretary" in para 4.1 and "Principal Secretary" in Annexure II. 1 p.12 1 p.24
  • Incubator counts (19, 73 consulted, 74) are three different things. 10 19 p.143 9
  • T-Spark: 55 startups (Mar 2025) against 155 (portal, undated). 18 p.110 8
  • Policy booklet and G.O. caps differ (see the signal on incentive amounts); the portal links the booklet. 2 p.21 1 p.10 8

Gaps in the record

  • No source attributes any outcome to this policy.
  • The DPIIT count has no as-of date and no yearly series, so it cannot be set against the policy period.
  • No incentive count after 2020-21; no Startup Council minutes or decisions.
  • No measurement of the 1 million sq ft, 20 accelerator or 2 Tier-II incubator targets.
  • No T-Fund launch date, corpus or portfolio; no fund-of-funds, T-SEED, Phoenix or Impact Fund reported anywhere. No source for "Rs 1,000 crore SFoF" or "100 unicorns by 2034".
  • G.O. register: no extension found by title, but only ITE&C, titles only, and the register footer is stale. 7
  • Whether "State Innovation Policy" in the 2026 Outlook means this policy or a new one. 19 p.143
  • No G.O. creating T-Hub Foundation; no source for the "for-profit division".
  • Who performs the one-time review.

Watch

Confirmed, announced and expected changes are kept apart. Forecasts are not facts.

  • Expected State innovation policy review TISS-led review and recommendations reported; no successor published at 23 Oct 2026 19 p.143
  • Announced Fund-of-funds "will be launched", no amount; promised since 2016 19 p.23 2 p.13
  • Expected Successor order None in the ITE&C register to 9 Oct 2026 7

Connections

Trajectory

Dates are shown only as precisely as the source gives them.

  1. 1 21 May 2015 T-Hub Foundation incorporated 25
  2. 2 5 Nov 2015 CatalysT (Phase 1, 70,000 sq ft) inaugurated 22
  3. 3 4 Apr 2016 Innovation Policy announced 6 p.1 1 p.15
  4. 4 2017 Telangana State Innovation Cell set up 14 p.12
  5. 5 25 Jul 2017 G.O.Ms.No.10 issued 1 p.1
  6. 6 16 Aug 2017 G.O.Ms.No.13 constitutes the Startup Cell 4
  7. 7 27 Jul 2021 G.O.Ms.No.6 amends incentives 5
  8. 8 By Jun 2022 T-Fund set up; Rs 1.5 crore awarded 16 p.34
  9. 9 28 Jun 2022 T-Hub 2.0 inaugurated 20 21
  10. 10 25 Jul 2022 Five-year term ends (derived) 1 p.11 8
  11. 11 2025 2025-26: review of the state innovation frameworks reported 19 p.143

Sources

Source Derived Interpretation
  1. primary G.O.Ms.No.10, "Innovation Policy of the Government of Telangana - Orders - Issued", with Operational Guidelines and Annexures I-XV ITE&C (Promotions) Dept., Govt. of Telangana · 25 Jul 2017 · 39 pages. Printed page equals PDF page. The Operational Guidelines have their own paragraph numbers on pp.12-16.
  2. primary Telangana Innovation Policy 2016 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Apr 2016 · 22 pages. No date printed in the text; the date is from the URL path. Printed page is PDF page plus 2.
  3. primary Common Application Form for incentives ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Undated. Same text as G.O. Annexure I.
  4. primary G.O.Ms.No.13, "Innovation Policy ... Constitution of Startup Cell" ITE&C (Promotions) Dept., Govt. of Telangana · 16 Aug 2017 · Retrieved through the G.O. register (Department ITC, 2017, text "startup").
  5. primary G.O.Ms.No.6, "Incentives under Innovation Policy" ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · 27 Jul 2021
  6. primary G.O.Ms.No.8, "Relaxation of Norms for Startups in Public Procurement of Technology-Based Solutions through TSTS" ITE&C (Promotions) Dept., Govt. of Telangana · 28 Apr 2018 · Used only for its statement of the policy's announcement date.
  7. dataset Telangana G.O. Issue Register, ITE&C department queries ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Live; read 23 Oct 2026 · Titles only. The footer reads "Site Last Updated: 01/01/2023" although it lists G.O.s to 9 Oct 2026.
  8. dataset Funding and Incentives, Startup Telangana Telangana Innovation Cell, ITE&C Dept. · Live; read 23 Oct 2026 · Undated operating page.
  9. dataset Startup Telangana home page counters Telangana Innovation Cell · Live; read 23 Oct 2026 · Counters are page attributes with no stated definition.
  10. primary "Incubation Support to Startups by State Supported Incubators" Startup Telangana portal · Jan 2023 · Date is from the URL path; no date or title is printed in the body.
  11. primary T-Hub, About us T-Hub · Live; read 23 Oct 2026 · Self-reported.
  12. primary Telangana IT Department Annual Report 2017-18 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Jun 2018
  13. primary Telangana IT&EC Department Annual Report 2018-19 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Jun 2019
  14. primary Telangana IT Department Annual Report 2019-20 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Jun 2020
  15. primary Telangana IT Department Annual Report 2020-21 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Jul 2021 · Date is from the URL path. Printed page equals PDF page.
  16. primary Telangana IT&EC Department Annual Report 2021-22 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Jun 2022 · Printed page is PDF page minus 2.
  17. primary Telangana IT&EC Department Annual Report 2022-23 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Jun 2023 · Printed page is PDF page minus 2.
  18. primary Socio Economic Outlook 2025 Planning Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Mar 2025 · Printed page is PDF page minus 9.
  19. primary Socio Economic Outlook 2026 Planning Dept., Govt. of Telangana · 2026 · Printed page is PDF page minus 7.
  20. secondary T-Hub 2.0, world's largest innovation centre inaugurated in Hyderabad Telangana Today · 28 Jun 2022
  21. secondary What is T-Hub and how it has helped Telangana's startups grow The Hindu BusinessLine · 29 Jun 2022 · Dateline 28 Jun 2022.
  22. secondary Telangana T-Hub, the biggest start-up incubator inaugurated The Indian Express · 6 Nov 2015
  23. primary T-Hub home page, Wayback capture 20220804065348 T-Hub · 4 Aug 2022 · Self-reported. The counter numbers were read from the page markup, not rendered text.
  24. primary T-Hub About us, Wayback capture 20220330132718 T-Hub · 30 Mar 2022 · Self-reported.
  25. primary MGT-7 annual return FY2024-25, T-Hub Foundation T-Hub Foundation (filed with MCA) · AGM 11 Jul 2025
  26. primary Telangana ICT Policy Framework 2016 ITE&C Dept., Govt. of Telangana · Apr 2016 · 41 pages. No date printed; the date is from the PDF metadata. Printed page is PDF page plus 3.
  27. dataset States' & UTs' Startup Policies: Telangana Startup India, DPIIT · Live; read 24 Oct 2026 · The map panel reads "DPIIT Recognised Startups" from the site's /bin/services/policies/states service. Read in a browser; curl gets 403.

Signals and summaries are written by Social Systems Lab from the sources above. They describe the law and the public record, not legal advice.