Driven by policy reforms, digitisation, and startup participation, India’s innovation landscape shows strong momentum in IP registrations
📍New Delhi | July 22, 2025 – Economy India Bureau
India has registered an impressive 44% growth in intellectual property (IP) filings between 2020–21 and 2024–25, indicating robust momentum in innovation, digitisation, and policy reforms. The total number of IP applications increased from 4,77,533 to 6,89,991, as per data released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Reform-Driven Ecosystem
This significant rise includes a 180% increase in patent applications, a 266% surge in design filings, 83% growth in copyright registrations, 28% growth in trademarks, and an exceptional 380% rise in GI (Geographical Indications) filings. These gains reflect a broader IP awareness among startups, MSMEs, research institutions, and even rural artisans.
The government has aggressively reformed the IP ecosystem by focusing on simplification, digital transformation, speed, and inclusion. Over 95% of all IP filings are now done online, with fully digital processing across trademarks, patents, designs, and GI applications.
Procedural changes like replacing arithmetic mean with geometric mean in inflation indexing, and reducing examination wait times, have contributed to a faster and more efficient IP grant process.
Incentives for Startups and MSMEs
Startups and MSMEs are a major force behind this growth. The government offers up to 80% fee concessions on patents, 75% on design filings, and 50% on trademarks. Special schemes have also been launched to support international patent filings and promote global competitiveness.
The Patent Rules, 2003 were amended to introduce the ‘Certificate of Inventorship’ to recognize inventors, giving a morale boost to innovators across sectors.
Faster, Simplified Filing Procedures
Trademark reforms have consolidated 74 forms into just 8, while also enabling the registration of sound marks and digital signatures. Design registration now aligns with international Locarno Classification standards, ensuring global compatibility and smoother processing.
The Copyright Office has simplified procedures especially for tech and content-based filings, making it easier for artists, software developers, and startups to protect their works.
Boost for GI Ecosystem
Geographical Indications (GIs), critical for rural and artisan economies, received a digital revamp. The new GI filing process includes online submission and approval of Authorised User certificates, leading to better commercial protection of traditional Indian products.
From only 20 states earlier, GI coverage has expanded to 34 states and union territories with price collection now happening across 787 villages, up from 600 in the earlier series.
Priority to Women, Academia, and Government
Priority examination benefits are now extended to women innovators, MSMEs, government entities, educational institutions, and startups, reducing grant timelines and encouraging wider participation in IP creation.
To boost awareness, the National IP Awareness Mission (NIPAM) has educated over 2.5 million individuals, including students and professionals, through over 7,000 IP workshops and webinars.
AI, Chatbots, and Dashboard Tools
Digital tools like IP Dashboard provide real-time updates on filing and grant status. The AI-enabled chatbot ‘IP Sarthi’ supports users in navigating complex filing processes in simple terms.
India has also localized the WIPO IP Diagnostic Tool to help MSMEs create customized IP strategies in regional languages, a big move for grassroots innovation.
Growing Human Capacity at IP Offices
Recognising the rising demand, the government expanded human resources. Patent office staff strength has grown from 431 in 2016–17 to 1,433 in 2024–25. Moreover, 200 new posts have been approved for the Trademark and GI Registry, further reducing the pendency of applications.
(Economy India)
