In A First In Over A Decade, Number Of Patents Filed By Indians Surpasses Figure Of International Patent Filings: Govt

India achieved yet another milestone in context of IP innovation ecosystem, for the first time in the last 11 years, the number of domestic patent filing has surpassed the number of international patent filing at Indian patent office in the Quarter Jan-Mar 2022, an official release said on Tuesday (12 April).

"Of the total 19,796 patent applications filed, 10,706 were filed by Indian applicants against 9,090 by non-Indian applicants," the Commerce Ministry said in a release.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal appreciated the consistent efforts made by DPIIT on strengthening the IPR regime in India by fostering innovation, and reducing compliance burden.

"The coordinated effort by DPIIT and IP office has led to increased IP awareness among all strata of society. These efforts have on one hand led to increase in the number of IPR filings, on the other hand has reduced the pendency of patent application at IP offices," the release said.

He also mentioned that this will take India a step closer to the India’s ambitious target of being in the top 25 nations in the Global Innovation Index.

According to the release, some of the key initiatives taken by the government over the years that has bolstered India's IP regime includes fee concessions like 10 per cent rebate on online filing, 80 per cent fee concession for start-ups, small entities and educational institutions, and provisions on expedited examination for startups and MSMEs along with other categories.

Further, the ministry said that the cornerstone laid down by National IPR policy and the efforts made by the Government has transpired into the following achievements for India:

• Filing of patents have increased from 42,763 in 2014-15 to 66,440 in 2021-22, more that 50 per cent increase in a span of seven years,

• Nearly five times increase in grant of patents in 2021-22 (30,074) as compared to 2014-15 (5,978),

• Reduction in Time of patent examination from 72 months in Dec 2016 to 5-23 months at present, for different technological areas,

• India’s ranking in Global Innovation Index has increased to 46th in 2021 (+35 ranks) as compared to from 81st in 2015-16.