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CSIR-IIP Celebrates Rashtriya Boudhik Sampada Mahotsav 2025 to Promote IP Awareness

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The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), Dehradun, today celebrated the Rashtriya Boudhik Sampada Mahotsav (RBSM) 2025, a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering awareness about intellectual property (IP) rights and their role in nation-building. The event took place at the institute’s campus with enthusiastic participation from scientists, academicians, students, and industry representatives.

First launched in July 2023 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), RBSM seeks to enhance public understanding of intellectual property and to encourage innovation through structured outreach, education, and support.

A Platform to Empower Innovators

The 2025 edition of RBSM at CSIR-IIP was marked by a series of informative sessions, panel discussions, and exhibitions highlighting the role of IP in scientific research, technology development, and economic progress. Experts from the Indian Patent Office, legal practitioners, and innovation strategists spoke on topics ranging from patent filing procedures and IP commercialization to the importance of IP in academic and industrial R&D.

“Protecting and leveraging our intellectual assets is key to strengthening our position in global innovation rankings. RBSM is a unique opportunity to bring IP literacy to the grassroots and ignite the minds of our young innovators,”.

Fostering a Culture of Innovation

The event also featured success stories from CSIR-IIP’s own research and development initiatives, many of which have been protected through patents and licensed to industry partners. A dedicated exhibition showcased the institute’s patent portfolio, technology transfers, and collaborations with startups and MSMEs.

Participants had the opportunity to interact directly with IP professionals through on-site clinics, which offered guidance on patent searches, prior art analysis, and the process of filing for IP protection in India and abroad.

Youth Engagement and Outreach

Special emphasis was placed on engaging students and young researchers. The institute hosted a quiz competition, a poster exhibition, and an essay contest centered on the theme “IP for a Sustainable Future.” These activities were designed to inspire the next generation to think creatively and understand the importance of safeguarding their innovations.

Dr. Renu Singh, Head of CSIR-IIP’s IP Management Cell, highlighted the institute’s efforts to integrate IP education into scientific training. “We are committed to creating an ecosystem where researchers not only innovate but also understand the value of securing their inventions. Through RBSM, we aim to mainstream IP literacy across all levels of education and research,” she stated.

A National Movement for IP Literacy

RBSM is being celebrated simultaneously at various CSIR laboratories and academic institutions across the country. Its overarching goal is to bridge the knowledge gap in IP awareness and promote a culture of innovation, in line with the Government of India’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

As the celebrations concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to promoting intellectual property as a critical tool for sustainable development and economic empowerment. The event served as a powerful reminder that India’s intellectual wealth is among its most valuable resources — one that must be nurtured, protected, and celebrated.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Public Relations Office
CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum
Dehradun, Uttarakhand
www.iip.res.in

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India Poised to Play Pivotal Role in Global 6G Development: Scindia

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India is positioning itself as a key contributor to the future of global telecommunications, with significant advancements in 6G technology research and innovation.

Speaking at a telecom innovation forum in the national capital, Scindia revealed that India aims to account for 10% of global 6G patents by the time international protocols are finalized in 2027. “India has already made notable progress in the 6G space, with two of its proposals being accepted. Our ambition is to shape the global standard by contributing at least one-tenth of the total patents,” the minister stated.

India’s 6G ambitions are guided by a vision of ubiquitous and equitable connectivity, ensuring that the transformative potential of advanced networks reaches every corner of the country. Unlike previous generations of mobile networks that primarily served urban and industrial centers, India’s 6G strategy emphasizes inclusivity and rural integration.

“The focus is on making 6G not just a technological milestone but a tool for social empowerment,” Scindia said. “We are not merely catching up with the world — we are aiming to lead through innovation and inclusive design.”

India’s commitment to innovation has been central to its recent telecom advancements. The establishment of the Bharat 6G Vision, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, laid out a roadmap for indigenous development of 6G technology with a timeline that aligns with global efforts. Since then, India has ramped up investment in research, encouraged collaboration between academic institutions and industry, and fostered public-private partnerships.

The country’s contributions are being recognized on the international stage, with Indian researchers and technologists playing an increasingly prominent role in discussions held by global standard-setting bodies such as the ITU and 3GPP.

Scindia also pointed to India’s robust telecom infrastructure, which has evolved rapidly with the rollout of 5G services across major cities and towns. This foundational network, he said, is crucial for testing and deploying future 6G applications, which are expected to support ultra-low latency, high-speed data transfer, and seamless integration of AI and machine-to-machine communications.

Industry experts believe that 6G will revolutionize connectivity by enabling technologies like holographic communication, smart transportation systems, and immersive virtual environments. With its growing talent pool, strategic vision, and strong policy support, India is well on its way to becoming a global hub for 6G innovation.

As the world moves closer to defining the next frontier of wireless communication, India’s proactive engagement and leadership could help reshape the digital landscape — not only within its borders but also on the global stage.

MSME Ministry Partners with Denmark Patent Office to Facilitate IPR Transfer to Indian MSMEs

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In a landmark move aimed at enhancing innovation and global competitiveness among India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has announced a strategic collaboration with the Danish Patent and Trademark Office (DKPTO). The partnership is designed to facilitate the transfer of intellectual property rights (IPR) and technological know-how to Indian MSMEs, enabling them to scale up their operations and improve product quality through the adoption of advanced foreign technologies.

The initiative comes as part of the Ministry’s broader mission to modernize the MSME sector, which contributes nearly 30% to India’s GDP and employs over 110 million people. By connecting Indian MSMEs with Danish innovators and patent holders, the partnership aims to bridge the technological gap and support the integration of global best practices in manufacturing and services.

Key Highlights of the Agreement

Under the collaboration, the DKPTO will provide access to a curated repository of patents and utility models that are available for transfer or licensing. These include innovations across green technology, renewable energy, food processing, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing — sectors that are highly relevant to the Indian MSME ecosystem.

The Ministry of MSME, through its Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs), will act as a conduit between Danish patent holders and Indian enterprises, helping MSMEs identify relevant patents and negotiate licensing terms. Additionally, a series of capacity-building workshops, webinars, and matchmaking events will be organized to raise awareness among Indian entrepreneurs about the commercial value of IPR and the mechanics of technology transfer.

Government Support and Incentives

Union Minister for MSMEs, Mr. Narayan Rane, lauded the partnership, stating, “This collaboration will be a game-changer for our MSMEs. By gaining access to cutting-edge technology from Denmark, Indian enterprises can accelerate innovation, improve efficiency, and expand their footprint in international markets.”

The Government of India is also expected to offer financial incentives and advisory support to MSMEs that enter into licensing agreements as part of this initiative. These incentives may include subsidies for licensing fees, support for prototype development, and assistance in adapting foreign technologies to local conditions.

Strengthening India-Denmark Ties

The partnership further strengthens the bilateral ties between India and Denmark, particularly under the Green Strategic Partnership signed in 2020. Both countries have emphasized sustainable development and clean technology as key areas of cooperation, and this initiative reflects a shared commitment to fostering innovation-led growth.

Director General Sune Stampe Sørensen said, “We believe that this knowledge exchange will not only benefit Indian enterprises but also open new markets for Danish inventors.”

Conclusion

The MSME Ministry’s agreement with the Denmark Patent Office marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a knowledge-driven economy. By unlocking access to global IPR assets, the initiative holds the potential to catalyze innovation, enhance productivity, and strengthen the global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs — turning them into engines of sustainable economic growth.

Industry experts have hailed the move as a step in the right direction, calling for similar collaborations with other innovation-driven economies to build a robust and resilient MSME sector for the future.

Chandigarh Students Secure Patent for ‘GestureX’ – Revolutionary Smart Glasses that Translate Speech into Sign Language

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In a breakthrough moment for accessible technology in India, a team of students from Chandigarh has been awarded a design patent for their innovative invention – GestureX, a pair of smart glasses that can convert spoken language into sign language in real-time. This pioneering project aims to bridge communication gaps for the hearing-impaired, enhancing inclusivity in education, workplaces, and daily life.

Breaking Communication Barriers with Technology
GestureX represents a significant leap in assistive wearable technology. The device is expected to transform how individuals with hearing disabilities interact with the world around them, particularly in environments where sign language interpreters are unavailable.

The patent, granted under Class 16-06 (relating to communication equipment), marks formal recognition of the students’ innovation, positioning GestureX as a potential game-changer in inclusive communication tools.

How GestureX Works
The functionality of GestureX is underpinned by a combination of hardware and software components that work seamlessly together:

Built-in Microphones: The glasses are fitted with directional microphones that capture ambient speech in real-time.

Speech Recognition Engine: Advanced software processes spoken words and converts them into text-based commands.

Sign Language Renderer: A miniature display system integrated into the glasses projects animated sign language gestures that correspond to the recognized speech.

Efficient Power Management: Designed with lightweight battery systems, GestureX ensures portability and extended battery life for regular use.

The glasses have been optimized to recognize multiple accents and background noise, ensuring accuracy in varied environments like classrooms, conferences, or public transport.

Designed by Students, Backed by Innovation
The team behind GestureX comprises students from diverse technical backgrounds who came together with a shared vision to make technology more inclusive. Motivated by personal experiences and community challenges, the team sought to develop a tool that could empower the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities with greater independence and confidence.

According to the team spokesperson, “Our goal was to build something meaningful that could help real people in real situations. GestureX is not just a gadget—it’s a step toward equal access and inclusive communication.”

Broader Implications and Future Development
GestureX’s creators are in discussions with academic institutions and healthcare providers to initiate pilot testing of the device. Early trials will help refine the technology, particularly for use in multilingual settings where regional sign language variants are common.

Looking ahead, the team plans to integrate artificial intelligence to allow the glasses to adapt to individual speech patterns, improve gesture accuracy, and potentially support reverse translation—from sign language to spoken words—to facilitate two-way communication.

They are also exploring partnerships for manufacturing and scaling the product, with the aim of keeping it affordable for individuals and organizations that serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

A Leap Forward in Assistive Tech
As India continues to promote inclusive innovation through programs like Startup India and the Atal Innovation Mission, projects like GestureX highlight the role of youth-led innovation in solving socially relevant problems. The device stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the potential for accessible design to foster greater equity in communication.

If successfully commercialized, GestureX could join the ranks of transformative assistive devices, not only within India but globally, providing a much-needed communication bridge in an increasingly interconnected world.

3D Bioprinting Breakthroughs Face Patentability Challenges Amidst Legal and Ethical Complexities

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The advent of 3D bioprinting has revolutionized regenerative medicine, offering unprecedented possibilities in tissue engineering, organ fabrication, and personalized healthcare.  However, as this innovative field progresses, it encounters significant hurdles in securing patent protection, owing to intricate legal frameworks and ethical considerations.

The Promise of 3D Bioprinting

 This technology holds immense potential for addressing organ shortages, enabling drug testing on human-like tissues, and advancing personalized medicine.

Patentability: A Complex Landscape

Securing patents for bioprinting innovations is fraught with challenges, primarily due to the intersection of biotechnology and intellectual property laws.  In India, for instance, while the Indian Patents Act permits the patenting of bioprinting processes and bioinks, it imposes restrictions on products that closely resemble natural biological materials.  Sections 3(b) and 3(j) of the Act exclude inventions that are contrary to public order or morality and those related to plants and animals, respectively.  Consequently, bioprinted tissues or organs that are deemed too similar to natural counterparts may be considered non-patentable. 

Similarly, in the United States, the patent eligibility of bioprinted products is influenced by precedents that preclude the patenting of natural phenomena.  The “product of nature” doctrine, reinforced by cases like Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, stipulates that naturally occurring substances, even if isolated, are not patentable.  Therefore, bioprinted tissues must exhibit characteristics markedly different from their natural counterparts to qualify for patent protection. 

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Beyond legal statutes, ethical concerns significantly impact the patentability of bioprinting innovations.  The use of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in bioinks raises moral questions, leading to potential objections under provisions that prohibit inventions contrary to public morality.  To navigate this, researchers are increasingly turning to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which do not involve the destruction of embryos and are thus more ethically acceptable. 

Moreover, the ownership of digital models derived from a patient’s biological data introduces complexities in intellectual property rights.  Determining whether the patient, healthcare provider, or bioprinting company holds rights over these models is an ongoing debate, necessitating clear guidelines to protect individual privacy while fostering innovation. 

Navigating the Path Forward

To surmount these challenges, stakeholders in the bioprinting domain must adopt strategic approaches:

Innovative Claim Drafting: Emphasizing the artificial aspects and technical advancements of bioprinted products can help distinguish them from natural entities, enhancing patent eligibility.

Ethical Compliance: Utilizing ethically sourced materials and transparent methodologies can mitigate moral objections, facilitating smoother patent approval processes.

Collaborative Frameworks: Establishing clear agreements on data ownership and usage rights can preempt legal disputes and promote collaborative research.


As 3D bioprinting continues to evolve, addressing the intertwined legal and ethical issues is paramount to unlocking its full potential.  By proactively engaging with these challenges, the scientific community can pave the way for groundbreaking advancements that are both innovative and responsibly governed.

India Breaks into Top Six Globally in 6G Patent Filings: MoS Telecom

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India has achieved a significant milestone in the global race for next-generation wireless technology by ranking among the top six nations in 6G patent filings. This advancement underscores the country’s growing influence in shaping the future of telecommunications.

Strategic Push for 6G Leadership
Under the ‘Bharat 6G Vision,’ India aims to become a leader in the design, development, and deployment of 6G technology by 2030. The government is actively supporting this initiative through various programs, including funding research and development, establishing testbeds, and fostering collaborations between academia and industry. These efforts are expected to contribute to India’s goal of securing a 10% share of global 6G patents and one-sixth of contributions to global standards within the next three years .

Terahertz Frequency Bands: The Heart of 6G Innovation
6G technology is set to revolutionize wireless communication by operating in terahertz (THz) frequency bands, specifically between 95 GHz and 3 THz. This spectrum allows for data rates up to 1 terabit per second, marking a hundredfold increase over 5G speeds. Such capabilities will enable applications like immersive extended reality, digital twins, and seamless integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks .

To facilitate research and development in these high-frequency bands, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended setting up experimental authorizations for operations in the THz spectrum. This move is expected to position India as a global hub for 6G R&D .

Collaborative Efforts and Future Outlook
India’s ascent in 6G patent filings is attributed to a combination of government initiatives, private sector investments, and academic collaborations. Telecom giants like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Tata Communications are investing heavily in 6G research, establishing research centers, and forming international partnerships to drive innovation .

Looking ahead, India is set to host the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) in Delhi from October 14 to 24, 2024.

Conclusion
India’s entry into the top six nations for 6G patent filings signifies a strategic leap towards becoming a global leader in next-generation wireless technology. With continued investment in research, infrastructure, and international collaboration, India is poised to play a pivotal role in defining the future of telecommunications.