Parliament Question: Intellectual Property Applications

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 293. TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 22ND JULY, 2025. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY APPLICATIONS 293. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI: Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री (a) the details of the total number of Intellectual Property (IP) applications filed by citizens; (b) the details of the growth in the number of such applicants during the last five years; (c) the steps that the Government is taking to ensure India’s growth in terms of innovation and IP filings; and (d) whether it is a fact that there has been decline in the number of Geographical Indications (GI) tags issued, if so, the reasons therefor along with list of GI tags issued till date State-wise? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) & (b): Details of the total number of IP applications filed in India over the last five years by Indian citizens are provided in the table below:- IP/ FY Patents Designs Trade Copyright GI SICLD Marks 2020-21 24,326 10,594 4,18,594 23,957 57 5 2021-22 29,508 19,245 4,34,084 30,748 116 2 2022-23 43,301 18,170 4,53,325 29,439 210 8 2023-24 51,574 26,536 4,63,108 36,710 134 2 2024-25 68,176 38,804 5,38,665 44,066 274 6  IP filings in the last five years have increased by44%, rising from 4,77,533 in 2020–21 to 6,89,991 in 2024–25. The highest growth was observed in Geographical Indications (GI) with a 380% increase, followed by Designs (266%), Patents (180%), Copyright (83%), Trademarks (28%), and Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Designs (SICLD) with a 20% rise.(c): The Government has undertaken several initiatives to enhance intellectual property (IP) activities and foster innovation and boost IP filing in India. Details of the major steps are as follows: 1. IP laws and rules have been amended to streamline and simplify the processing of IP applications, eliminate irregularities and bottlenecks, enhance the use of IT and digital technologies: Patents  Timelines have been fixed and streamlined  Electronic submission of documents by patent agents has been mandatory.  10% less fees for online filing of application and documents  Requirements for filing priority documents and Form 27 (statement on the working of patents) have been simplified.  The time to submit request for examination has been reduced to 31 months from 48 months to fast-track the patent examination process.  Frequency to file ‘working statements of patents’ has been reduced from once in a year to once in every three years to lessen the administrative burden and compliance costs on the applicants.  The requirements and timelines for providing foreign filing details have been streamlined to simplify the patent application process, further reducing processing requirements and costs.  The procedure for filing and resolving pre-grant representations has been amended to curb frivolous opposition filings and promote genuine submissions. The amended pre-grant opposition procedure now requires a prima facie case for the opposition to proceed. Provisions for expedited examination are extended to applications with pre-grant opposition(s) to compensate for delays arising from pre-grant proceedings and ensure faster resolution of such cases.  Provisions for claiming benefits of Grace Period have been streamlined by incorporating a new form to make it easier for applicants to claim benefits of the grace period.  ‘Certificate of Inventorship’ has been introduced to enhance patenting ecosystem in India by formally recognizing efforts of the inventors in the patented inventions.  10% reduction in the official fee for patent renewal is available if the fees for at least four years are paid in advance through electronic mode. Trade Marks  Processing of Trade Mark applications has been simplified and streamlined.  74 forms have been replaced with 8 consolidated forms.  Process for determination of well-known mark has been laid out.  Express provision for filing applications for sound marks has been provided.  Procedures relating to registration as Registered User of trademarks have been simplified.Designs  Processing of design applications has been streamlined.  International classification under Locarno Agreement has been adopted. Copyright  Compliance requirements for the registration of software have been reduced.  Functioning of copyright societies has been made more accountable and transparent. Geographical Indications  Procedure for registration of Authorized User has been simplified. 2. Significant Fee Concessions have been given to Startups, MSMEs, and Educational Institutions  80% Fee Reduction in Patents for Startups, MSMEs, and Educational Institutions;  75% Fee Reduction in Designs for Startups, and MSMEs;  50% Fees Reduction for Trade Marks filing for Startups and MSMEs 3. Provisions for Expedited Examination have been introduced  Provision of Expedited Examination of Patent application has been introduced for Startups, MSMEs, Female Applicants, and Government Institutions/ Departments/ PSUs, applicants electing India an authority for international applications etc. under Rule 24(C) of Patents rules, 2003 (as amended).  Provision of Expedited Examination of Trade Mark applications is applicable to all category of the applicants 4. The ‘Certificate of Inventorship’ has been introduced in Patents to formally recognize the contributions of inventors in patented inventions and to incentivize innovation. 5. Modernization of IP Offices a. IP Offices have been digitized and made online to make the system more compact, time bound, transparent and easier to use by applicants as well as Examiners and Registrars/ Controllers. Comprehensive E-Filing System has been introduced for the online filing and submission of Patent, Design, and Trade Mark applications and documents . Applicants no longer need to visit the IP office for filling and processing of their applications, with more than 95% of Patent and Trademark applications now filed online. General features of Online Filing & Processing System:  24x7 accessibility  Secure and user-friendly interface for filing IP applications  Availability of both e-Sign and Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) options  Real-time status tracking of applications All major communications are made through auto generated e-mails  Certificates of grant of patents are delivered online and can also be downloaded online.  Applicants can attend hearing via video conferencing, thereby avoiding physical appearance before the officers handling their applications.  Examination of the applications in the office is also handled via an e- processing system  SMS Alert Facility b. The IP Office website has been redesigned to improve contents and ease of access and make it more interactive, informative and easy to navigate. IP data on real-time basis has been made available on the website in respect of filing and processing of IP applications. The website provides login-free Search facility for hassle-free dissemination of IP information to stakeholders. c. IP Dashboard Access and Features A publicly accessible IP Dashboard has been introduced to provide real- time comprehensive data on various categories of Intellectual Property applications, including Patents, Designs, Trade Marks, Copyrights, and Geographical Indications. The dashboard can be accessed via the official website at ipindia.gov.in/dashboard. A quick-access link to the dashboard is also available on the website's homepage for user convenience. d. AI-powered Trademark Search Technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) based Trademark Search Technology has been introduced for a more efficient and accurate examination and faster disposal of Trade Mark applications. e. IP Sarthi Chatbot: A digital assistant has been designed to provide instant support and guidance to users navigating the IP registration processes. Indian small businesses can get instant help regarding IPR by asking answers of the questions on the Chatbot. f. “WIPO IP Diagnostics – Indian Adaptation”, a self-assessment tool, has been designed to enable small businesses to conduct a self-assessment of their intellectual property (IP) assets, providing guidance tailored to the Indian IP laws and procedures and enriched with local examples. By answering targeted questions, Indian small businesses can generate customized reports that offer insights into how India's IP system can support their strategic business objectives. For wider coverage, the tool has been made available multiple languages, English, Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, and Urdu. 6. National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) – The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) implements the National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) to conduct IP awareness programs in educational institutions. Launched in 2021, the mission aimed to educate 1 million students as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of India's Independence. So far, about 9500 IP awareness programs have been conducted across all 28 states and 8 Union Territories, reaching over 25 lakh students and faculty. 7. National Intellectual Property (IP) Awards are conferred every year to recognize and reward the top achievers comprising individuals, institutions, organizations andenterprises, for their IP creations and commercialization, in order to encourage creativity and innovation in the country. 8. IPR Internship Programme With the aim of contributing to the fulfillment of the objectives outlined in the National IPR Policy, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has recently started four week IPR Internship Programme for students, research scholars, and professionals. 9. SIPP Scheme: SIPP Scheme: The Start-Ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme was launched in 2016 to provide pro bono facilitation to startups for the filing and processing of patent, trademark, and design applications. Under this scheme, the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) bears the professional fees payable to facilitators. Its scope was also expanded to benefit Indian educational institutions using TISC services. Additionally, it now covers the filing of international patent applications filed in India. 10. Manpower Augmentation Manpower in IP Office has been augmented by multiple times to ensure timely and quality service to the stakeholder. a. Sanctioned strength of the Patent Office has increased by 233%, from 431 in 2014 to 1,433 in 2024. Similarly, the working manpower has grown by 196%, from 281 in 2014 to 833 in 2024. b. Similarly, 200 additional posts have been sanctioned in 2025 in Trade Marks, GI, and Copyright, making a 74% increase in the sanctioned strength. 11. Robust Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The IP Office has robust Redressal Mechanism which has been further strengthened to ensure the prompt, fair, and transparent resolution of complaints and concerns. Daily Open House Conference has been started to enable direct daily communication of stakeholders with senior officers to provide timely solutions to their problems and Open House IT Helpdesk has been created as a single- window platform to swiftly address queries and grievances across all key areas of Intellectual Property. (d): From 2004 to 2025, the registration of Geographical Indication (GI) applications in India exhibited a gradual increase, with domestic applications constituting the majority. Initial years showed a low registration trend, followed by steady growth and stabilization between 2010 and 2019, averaging around 20–30 applications annually. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp decline in GI registrations during 2020–21. However, this was promptly followed by a significant surge in applications from 2022 onwards, peaking 160 applications in 2023–24 the highest recorded in a year. This overall trend reflects growing awareness and emphasis on protecting local products through GI registration. The increasing domestic engagement with GI protections is likely driven by government initiatives and greater recognition of the economic and cultural value of GIs. Total Geographical Indications Registered as on Date: 697 State-wise Number of GI tags issued till date: List attached as Annexure. ********ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY PART (d) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 293 FOR ANSWER ON 22ND JULY, 2025. Year wise Registered GI Applications as on date Financial Indian Foreign No of Years Applications Applications Applications 2004 – 2005 03 00 03 2005 – 2006 24 00 24 2006 – 2007 03 00 03 2007 – 2008 31 00 31 2008 – 2009 45 00 45 2009 – 2010 13 01 14 2010 – 2011 25 04 29 2011 – 2012 20 03 23 2012 – 2013 20 01 21 2013 – 2014 22 00 22 2014 – 2015 20 00 20 2015 – 2016 26 00 26 2016 – 2017 31 02 33 2017 – 2018 24 02 26 2018 – 2019 22 01 23 2019 – 2020 21 01 22 2020 – 2021 05 00 05 2021 – 2022 36 14 50 2022 – 2023 50 05 55 2023 – 2024 157 03 160 2024 - 2025 60 02 62 Totals 658 39 697 Goods wise Registered GI Applications as on date SL. Goods No of No Applications 1 Handicraft 366 2 Agricultural 218 3 Manufactured 54 4 Food Stuff 56 5 Natural 03 Totals 697Goods wise Registered GI Applications Indian & Foreign as on date SL. Goods Indian Foreign Total No Applications Applications Applications 1 Handicraft 365 01 366 2 Agricultural 218 00 218 3 Manufactured 22 32 54 4 Food Stuff 50 06 56 5 Natural 03 00 03 Totals 658 39 697 State wise - Details of GI Applications Registered as on date SL No. State Registered 1 Andaman & Nicobar (UT) 7 19 2 Andhra Pradesh 3 Arunachal Pradesh 19 4 Assam 40 5 Bihar 16 6 Chandigarh 0 7 Chattisgarh 7 8 Goa 10 9 Gujarat 28 10 Haryana 0 11 Himachal Pradesh 10 12 Jammu & Kashmir 24 13 Jharkhand 1 14 Karnataka 45 15 Kerala 37 16 Ladakh (UT) 4 17 Lakshadweep (UT) 0 18 Madhya Pradesh 21 19 Maharashtra 52 20 Manipur 6 21 Meghalaya 8 22 Mizoram 7 23 Nagaland 4 24 Odisha 26 25 Pondicherry 2 26 Punjab 0 27 Rajasthan 20 28 Sikkim 1 29 Tamil Nadu 69 30 Telangana 18 31 Tripura 4 32 Uttar Pradesh 76 33 Uttarakhand 26 34 West Bengal 34 35 Dadra and Nagar Haveli 0 36 India (In Multiple States) 17 37 Foreign 39 Totals 697 ********