India witnesses 44% surge in IP filings over five years, driven by key policy reforms and digitization

India has witnessed a significant 44% rise in Intellectual Property (IP) filings in the last five years, mainly attributed to targeted policy changes and comprehensive digitization efforts by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The overall count of IP applications submitted by Indian citizens surged from 477,533 in 2020-21 to 689,991 in 2024-25. Geographical Indications (GI) exhibited significant growth, rising by 380%, with Designs at 266%, Patents at 180%, Copyright at 83%, Trademarks at 28%, and Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Designs (SICLD) at 20%. These statistics highlight the government's unwavering dedication to protecting native products and promoting a strong innovation environment. Important changes consist of streamlining IP legislation and regulations, enforcing electronic submission of patent papers, and implementing a 10% discount for patents filed online. The duration for patent examination has been shortened to 31 months, and the interval for submitting 'working statements of patents' is now every three years. Major fee reductions have been implemented for Startups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Educational Institutions, featuring an 80% decrease in Patent fees. The IP Offices have been updated with a complete e-filing system, allowing more than 95% of applications to be submitted online. Programs such as the 'IP Sarthi Chatbot' and the National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) have significantly enhanced IP awareness and accessibility throughout the country. As of now, 697 Geographical Indications have been officially registered, highlighting an increasing focus on safeguarding local goods. This data was provided by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Jitin Prasada.