Parliament Question: Patents for Ayurvedic Medicines

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5619 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27th MARCH 2026 Patents for Ayurvedic Medicines 5619. Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre: Will the Minister of AYUSH be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the importance of patenting Ayurvedic medicines and if so, what measures are being taken to prioritize this process, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether there are any valid reasons for the apparent lack of emphasis on patenting Ayurvedic medicines and if so, the details thereof; (c) the total number of Ayurvedic medicines that have been approved after obtaining patents during the last three years; (d) whether any proposals for patent approval are pending by the Government in this regard and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons for these delays therefor; (e) the steps being taken by the Government to address these delays and ensure timely patent approval for Ayurvedic medicines; and (f) the initiatives undertaken by the Government to promote Ayurveda globally and what are the key features of these initiatives? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (e ) Patenting an invention provides the patent holder exclusive right to prevent others from making, using, selling or importing the patented product without consent. Patent applications are granted only after substantive examination to determine compliance with the requirements of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability under the Patents Act, 1970. The examination process follows a two-tier system, wherein applications are examined by an Examiner and subsequently reviewed by the Controller. The Act also provides for pre-grant opposition by any person and post-grant opposition by any interested person, thereby ensuring that only genuine and quality patents are granted. Due to the robust examination and grant process in filings in Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), the number of patents granted in comparison to filings remains moderate. Recognizing the importance of patenting Ayurvedic medicines, the Office of CGPDTM released the Guidelines for Examination of Ayush Related Inventions in September 2025 to provide clarity and consistency in the filing and examination of patent applicationsrelating to Ayush i.e. Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy and non-codified healthcare systems. These guidelines complement the existing guidelines for processing patent applications relating to traditional knowledge and biological material issued in 2012. In recent years, the Department has undertaken several targeted measures to strengthen the patent system in the country, particularly for startups, MSMEs and educational institutions. Major initiatives include: (i) 80% fee reduction across the patent lifecycle for Startups, MSMEs and Educational Institutions. (ii) Introduction of Expedited Examination under Rule 24C of the Patents Rules, 2003 (as amended) for eligible categories such as Startups, MSMEs, female applicants, Government departments/institutions/PSUs and applicants selecting India as the International Searching Authority (ISA). (iii) Implementation of the Start-ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) Scheme (2016), providing pro bono facilitation for filing and processing of IP applications. The scheme has been expanded to include innovators, creators and educational institutions. (iv) Rules have been further simplified and streamlined and made the procedure more user friendly for creating a conducive environment for innovation and patent protection in India. (v) Time limit to submit request for examination has been reduced to 31 months from 48 months to fast-track the patent examination process, (vi) Compliance burden for foreign filing and Working Statements have been further reduced. (vii) ‘Certificate of Inventorship’ has been introduced to enhance patenting ecosystem in India by formally recognizing efforts of the inventors in the patented inventions; and (viii) The process has been completely digitized and made online to make the system more compact, time bound, transparent and easier to use by applicants. (ix) The IP Office has robust Redressal Mechanism which has been further strengthened to ensure the prompt, fair, and transparent resolution of complaints and concerns. (x) The sanctioned strength of Patent Examiners and Controllers has been increased to 1,433 as on 31.01.2026. As a result, patent filings in last three years increased considerably in the field of Ayurveda, and 11,244 patent applications have been filed of which 2,661 applications have been disposed of including 1,261 patents granted. (f) The Ministry of Ayush is implementing the central sector scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH (IC Scheme). Under this scheme the Ministry provides support to Indian Ayush drug Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to the export of Ayush products and services; facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush systems of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote academics and research through the establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and holding trainingworkshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level including Ayurveda. Under the IC Scheme 27 Country to Country MoUs, 16 Ayush Chair MoUs and 54 Institute to Institute level MoUs have been signed. Ministry of Ayush encourages following certifications of Ayush products as per the details furnished below:- • An Ayush vertical has been created in Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to strengthen regulatory measures ensuring safety and quality of Ayush drugs. Further, CDSCO issues WHO Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (WHO- CoPP) to Ayush drugs having compliance to such standards. • Quality Certifications Scheme implemented by the Quality Council of India (QCI) for grant of AYUSH standard and premium mark to Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani products on the basis of third-party evaluation of quality in accordance with the status of compliance to domestic and international standards. Further, Ayush Quality Mark for Ayush products and services for Global standards have been launched during WHO Global Summit in December 2025. This certification scheme strengthens consumer trust in Ayush products and services by ensuring internationally accepted standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. *****