India has come to a critical juncture in its innovation journey. First times ever In 2023, majority of patent filings in the country were filed by Indian applicants — surpassing each single foreign nations. This wave represents a significant departure from the country’s traditional role as a technology consumer.
A Surging Tide of Inventiveness at Home
Indian competitors are now responsible for 57% of all patent filings, up from just 20% a decade ago. This expansion has seen India also become the world's second largest recipient of granted patents, further accentuating its increasing contribution to the trends in worldwide intellectual property.
Role of Government Policy as a Key Enabler
Its been driven by far-sighted government action. Policies such as the National IPR Policy and the Atal Innovation Mission have made the way smoother. Key reforms include:
- A discount of 80 percent for startups and educational institutions.
- Drastically accelerated patent examinations.
- Complete digital filing.
- Those moves have simplified intellectual property protection.
A Shift to High-Tech Sectors
It will also be in the form that India’s innovation takes. Applications for patents are changing from conventional ones to one of technology:
- Computer Science: Grew from 1.27% of filings in 2000 to 26.5% in 2023.
- Electrical Engineering: Rose from 8.27% to 16.41%.
- Biomedical: Soared from 0.6% to 10%.
- This diversification mirrors greater emphasis on high-tech and interdisciplinary research.
Universities Lead the Charge
Among the most significant changes is who is filing the patents. Share of filings by companies has declined while those by individuals and educational entities are now top. Universities such as IIT Madras and IIT Bombay have actually emerged as innovation powerhouses, thanks to their dedicated IP support cells as well as initiatives such as KAPILA, which stimulates IP consciousness in academia.
The Road Ahead: Maintaining the Momentum
Still, a significant hurdle persists: India’s R&D investment is merely 0.67% of GDP, way behind the US (3.5%) and China (2.5%). To maintain and propel this wave of innovation, and to become a global leader in knowledge, authorities say the country’s R&D investments need to rise to 2% of GDP.
Month: Current Affairs - August 20, 2025
Category: current affairs daily