India reached a significant milestone in intellectual property creation during FY25, as patent applications crossed the one-lakh mark for the first time. More than 1.1 lakh patent applications were filed with the Indian Intellectual Property Office, up from 92,168 filings in FY24, reflecting nearly 20% year-on-year growth. This surge underscores India’s rising stature as a global innovation and research hub.
Domestic Innovators Drive Self-Reliance
Notably, domestic applicants accounted for nearly 62% of all patent filings, signalling a decisive shift toward home-grown innovation. This trend highlights the strengthening R&D ecosystem across Indian industry, academia, and start-ups, and reinforces the country’s push for technological self-reliance.
Overall IPR Filings Show Broad-Based Growth
Beyond patents, India witnessed robust expansion across all intellectual property categories. Total IPR filings grew by over 18%, rising to 7.4 lakh in FY25 from 6.3 lakh in FY24, according to the Annual Report 2024–25 released by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Geographical Indications. This growth reflects sustained momentum in protecting innovation, branding, and creative assets across sectors.
Design Registrations Reflect Manufacturing and Aesthetic Innovation
Design applications recorded one of the sharpest increases, jumping over 41.5% to 43,005 in FY25, compared to 30,389 in FY24. The rise points to growing emphasis on product aesthetics and industrial design, particularly in consumer goods and manufacturing industries.
Trademark Filings Continue to Lead
Trademarks remained the most widely used form of commercial IP in India. Applications rose by 16%, reaching 5.5 lakh in FY25, up from 4.7 lakh in FY24, highlighting strong brand creation and market activity across the economy.
Copyrights and GIs Gain Momentum
At the same time, filings for copyrights and geographical indications (GIs) increased by around 20%, reflecting heightened recognition of creative works and traditional knowledge. Copyright registrations climbed from 36,726 to 44,095, while GI applications more than doubled from 134 to 275 in FY25.
Policy Reforms and Digital Tools Fuel Growth
The Intellectual Property Office attributed this robust expansion to targeted policy and administrative reforms. Key among them were the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which streamlined patent prosecution, and the adoption of international classification under the Locarno Agreement, simplifying industrial design filings.
In addition, technology-driven initiatives played a critical role. The deployment of AI-powered tools, including the Trade Mark Search Technology and the IP Saarthi chatbot, significantly improved examination speed, accuracy, and stakeholder engagement by providing round-the-clock support.
A Strengthening IP Ecosystem
Taken together, these developments signal a maturing intellectual property ecosystem in India—one that not only protects innovation but actively encourages it. As reported by timesofindia.indiatimes.com, with policy reforms and digital transformation working in tandem, India continues to strengthen its position as a global centre for innovation, creativity, and industrial design.
