India has secured the sixth position globally in patent filings, according to the latest World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) report. The country recorded 64,480 patent applications in 2023. The number reflects India’s fastest pace of growth in more than a decade.
WIPO noted that India achieved double-digit growth in patent filings for the sixth consecutive year. The 2023 growth rate stood at 15.7%, marking a sharp rise in innovation activity across sectors. The report highlighted India as one of the top emerging contributors to the global IP ecosystem.
Domestic innovation played a major role in this rise. More than 55% of all patent applications came from resident inventors. This is the first time resident filings have crossed the halfway mark. The shift shows increasing confidence among Indian researchers, start-ups, and academic institutions.
India also reported a remarkable jump in granted patents. WIPO said the country saw a 149% increase in patents granted in 2023. The surge reflects improvements in examination speed and the strengthening of India’s intellectual property administration.
The report added that India performed strongly across other IP categories as well. In trademarks, India ranked fourth globally, with nearly 90% of applications coming from domestic applicants. In industrial designs, India entered the global top ten, supported by high growth in the textile, tools, and healthcare sectors.
Experts say the steady rise in patent activity is the result of policy reforms, faster processing times, and a supportive start-up ecosystem. Government schemes and digital platforms have also made filing simpler and more accessible.
WIPO’s findings underline India’s growing strength in sectors such as artificial intelligence, electronics, biotechnology, and deep-tech research. These fields contributed heavily to the rise in domestic patent filings.
India’s ascent to the sixth position signals a major shift in global innovation dynamics. The country now aims to continue this momentum by expanding industry-led research and strengthening collaboration between academia, start-ups, and the private sector.
With sustained growth and increasing global recognition, India is positioning itself as a major innovation hub in the coming decade.
