Whalesbook
'Invented in India' Drives Record Patent Growth
India's innovation output saw dramatic expansion in the latest fiscal year, with patent filings soaring by 30.2% to a historic 143,729 applications in FY 2025-26. This marks the eighth consecutive year of double-digit growth, showing continued growth in the nation's intellectual property system. Domestic innovation is increasingly dominant, with Indian inventors and entities accounting for over 69% of all filings, a substantial increase from previous years. This surge, led by innovators in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, marks a shift from 'Made in India' to 'Invented in India,' positioning the country as a growing global innovation hub. Nearly 95% of applications are now filed online, thanks to streamlined government processes.
India's Global Ranking and Growth Drivers
India's consistent growth has solidified its position as the world's sixth-largest patent filer. This growth is part of a wider IP expansion, with total IPR applications nearing 0.75 million in FY25, driven by trademarks and patents. Government efforts like reduced fees for startups and educational institutions, plus expedited examination and pro bono services, have fostered this environment. Notably, educational institutions alone contributed 36.5% of total filings in FY26, showing a strong academic focus on innovation. Globally, while China leads patent filings with approximately 1.8 million applications in 2024, India's growth rate of 19.1% in the same year was among the highest for major origins. This signals a structural shift, moving from applications dominated by non-residents to a majority filed by residents.
Quantity Over Quality: R&D Gaps and Grant Delays
Despite the large increase in filings, questions remain about the quality and economic impact of India's patents. India's gross expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) is around 0.64% of GDP, significantly lower than global leaders like the US (~3.5%), China (~2.5%), and South Korea (~5.21%). This gap limits high-value research and increases reliance on imported IP in advanced sectors. Furthermore, while patent filings have more than doubled in four years, granted patents haven't kept pace; grants in FY25 fell from the prior year, partly due to examiner recruitment challenges. This gap between filings and grants raises concerns about the examination system's efficiency and whether the focus is on quantity over quality. Foreign firms still get most high-tech patents, suggesting domestic gaps in commercialization and value realization. Long patent examination periods, though shorter, remain a challenge compared to global peers.
Path to a Knowledge Economy
India aims to become a global hub for science, technology, and innovation, aligning its agenda with 'Viksit Bharat@2047.' Initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and digital infrastructure aim to build a more integrated innovation ecosystem. The consistent growth in patent filings, particularly from domestic sources, suggests a maturing innovation base. Achieving this potential requires continued policy support, significantly increased R&D investment, and a stronger focus on turning innovations into tangible economic value and global advantages.