India’s intellectual property ecosystem is undergoing a structural shift, with domestic entities accounting for 69 per cent of patent filings, signalling a strengthening innovation base even as experts warn of emerging risks from artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the Assocham Global IP Conclave 2026, Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, said India recorded over 1.43 lakh patent applications this year, marking a 30 per cent increase and a 146 per cent rise over five years.
“This reflects a transition from incremental growth to global IP leadership,” Pandit said, attributing the rise to increasing domestic innovation capacity.
Experts at the conclave said the trend underscores a broader shift in India’s economic structure, where intangible assets are becoming central to growth. Padma Jaiswal, Secretary in the Government of NCT of Delhi, noted that digital trade now contributes nearly 25 per cent to GDP, heightening the importance of protecting intellectual property in an AI-driven economy.
However, Jaiswal cautioned that rapid advances in artificial intelligence are creating new legal and regulatory challenges. AI systems trained on large datasets may inadvertently lead to copyright and trademark violations, she said, calling for stronger safeguards and awareness mechanisms.
Policy experts emphasised that while India’s innovation metrics are improving, commercialisation remains a critical gap. Vinamra Mishra, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of MSME, said the country is now ranked among the top 30 in the Global Innovation Index, with IP filings showing consistent double-digit growth.
“The priority ahead is to ensure commercialisation of these IP assets, particularly for MSMEs, which contribute nearly 45 per cent to exports,” Mishra said, adding that smaller firms will play a key role in translating innovation into economic output.
Discussions focused on bridging gaps between policy, industry and academia to build a more robust ecosystem capable of scaling innovation. Sessions also examined challenges in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and deep tech, where issues of ownership and regulation remain unresolved.
Experts agreed that aligning regulatory frameworks with technological change will be essential for sustaining momentum. While India’s rising share of domestic patent filings reflects growing self-reliance in innovation, participants said the next phase will depend on converting intellectual property into commercially viable solutions. |
