India’s Innovation Surge Fuels Patent Growth
India’s innovation landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. For the first time in 2023, Indian-origin patent filings exceeded those from any other single foreign country within India. This milestone marks India’s shift from a technology consumer to a technology creator. The change reflects government policies, institutional support, and rising research capabilities.
Rising Patent Filings by Indian Applicants
Indian applicants accounted for 57% of all patent filings in 2023. This is increase from the early 2000s when Indian institutions filed less than 20% of patents domestically. India has also become the second-largest recipient of granted patents, overtaking the US in 2021. The growing share of patents indicates the country’s expanding role in the global intellectual property ecosystem.
Government Initiatives Driving Innovation
Several government initiatives have encourageed innovation and patenting. The National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy and Atal Innovation Mission encourage startups, researchers, and students to innovate and protect ideas. Reforms include expedited patent examinations, reduced fees by 80% for educational institutions and startups, and full digitalisation of the patent process. These measures have simplified patent filing and accelerated approvals.
Changing Patent Landscape by Sector
Patent trends show a shift from traditional mechanical and chemical engineering to technology-driven fields. Computer science patents rose from 1.27% in 2000 to 26.5% in 2023. Electrical engineering patents increased from 8.27% to 16.41%. Biomedical patents jumped from 0.6% to 10%, while physics-related patents doubled to 4%. This diversification reflects India’s growing focus on high-tech and interdisciplinary research.
Faster Patent Processing and Increased Approvals
Patent processing times have improved dramatically. Earlier, grants took 8-10 years, but now many patents are approved within 2-3 years. Some are granted in the same year as filing. Despite nearly 80% of recent patents still awaiting decisions, the system has become more efficient, supporting faster commercialisation and innovation cycles.
Shift in Patent Filers – Individuals and Institutions Lead
The profile of patent filers has changed. Company filings dropped from 43% in 2000 to under 17% in 2023. Filings by individuals increased from under 10% to around 32%. Educational institutions now contribute nearly 43% of filings. Government bodies and hospitals remain minor contributors. Programmes like KAPILA and Atal Innovation Mission have increased IP awareness and entrepreneurship in academia.
Role of Universities and Research Institutes
Universities have become innovation hubs. IIT Madras doubled granted patents from 156 in 2022 to 300 in 2023. IIT Bombay led with 421 patents granted in 2023-24. Dedicated IP cells and legal support help researchers file patents and commercialise technology. These efforts are crucial for nurturing early-stage research and startups.
Need for Increased Research and Development Investment
India’s R&D expenditure is 0.67% of GDP, below the US (3.5%) and China (2.5%). To sustain innovation growth, investment must rise to around 2% of GDP. Increased funding will support foundational research and advanced technology development. This is vital for India’s self-reliance amid global trade uncertainties and to enhance its global knowledge leadership.
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