RT team
The landscape of Intellectual Property (IP) rights in India is witnessing a notable surge, particularly in patent filings within the deep-tech sector, as revealed in Nasscom’s latest ‘Patenting Trends in India’ study. The report, leveraging data from the World Intellectual Property Organization and Intellectual Property India, highlights a 24.6% increase in patent filings in FY2023, the most significant rise in two decades, totaling 83,000 patents.
Tamil Nadu emerged as the frontrunner, accounting for 9.3% of the filings, surpassing Maharashtra and marking a new high in the state’s innovation drive. The increase in patents filed by women to 11.6% from 10.2% the previous year further underscores a growing inclusivity in India’s IP landscape.
Government subsidies for startups, robust R&D ecosystems, and a rise in PhD scholars are among the key catalysts propelling Tamil Nadu to the top. The state’s emphasis on fostering an IP-led digital economy is also reflected in the substantial growth in granted patents, which more than doubled from FY2019 to FY2023.
Furthermore, the report notes a significant participation from Indian deep-tech startups, with 922 patents filed since 2008, and a global engagement through 32,000 Patent Cooperation Treaty applications filed in India. The Chennai patent office, handling nearly 70% of these filings, showcases the city’s pivotal role in India’s deep-tech innovation, particularly in AI and healthcare.
As India’s global patent contribution remains modest at just above 2%, Nasscom’s Debjani Ghosh emphasizes the need for enhanced collaborations to boost domestic patent activity and further solidify the nation’s stance as a leader in technological innovation.
