Indian Students Lead Innovation Surge, Drive Patent Growth

Intermediate | July 19, 2025

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India’s Innovation Takes Flight

Indian Student Patent Filings on the Rise

India is making big steps towards becoming a “Technology Superpower” by 2047, and a key reason is the growing number of Indian student patent filings. Young Indian minds are coming up with many new ideas and protecting them with patents, thanks to strong support from the government and schools.

Surging Patent Numbers

This focus on Indian student patent filings and innovation is clear in the numbers. Patent applications from Indian schools and colleges have increased hugely, jumping from about 7,400 in 2021-22 to over 23,300 in 2023-24. Overall, India saw 83,000 patents filed in 2023, which is the highest growth in two decades. More excitingly, for the first time in 2024, Indian residents filed more than 50% of all patent applications, showing that local innovation is really thriving.

Leading Institutions and Lower Barriers

Top institutions are leading the way. For example, IIT Madras filed 417 patents in the 2024-25 financial year, much more than its goal of “One Patent A Day.” These ideas cover many important areas like energy, healthcare, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence. The cost to students for filing a provisional patent can be very low, around ₹7,600, with government fees as low as ₹1,600, making it more accessible.

Supporting Young Innovators

Government Support Programs

Government efforts are a major reason for this success. Programs like the National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM) have taught over two million people about intellectual property rights. Additionally, schemes like the Patent Support Scheme in Kerala help student innovators by refunding patent costs, up to ₹2 lakh for national patents. A new initiative, ROBOFEST – Gujarat 5.0, even includes provisional patent filing for student inventions, encouraging young minds to protect their ideas from the start.

A Promising Future for Innovation

This surge in Indian student patent filings, particularly in fields like AI, the Internet of Things, and Neurotechnology, shows India’s increasing ability to innovate and its stronger awareness of intellectual property. While India still has progress to make in the total number of patents and turning them into successful products, the current trend highlights a bright future for its technological ambition.

Vocabulary

Patents (noun): Legal rights granted to inventors to exclude others from making, using, or selling their invention for a period.
- Example: “Indian students are increasingly earning patents for their innovative ideas.”
Innovative (adjective): Introducing new ideas, methods, or inventions.
- Example: “The government supports students’ innovative projects.”
Initiatives (noun): Important new plans or programs to achieve a particular purpose.
- Example: “Government initiatives are helping to boost patent filings.”
Skyrocketing (verb): Increasing very rapidly.
- Example: “Patent applications from schools are skyrocketing.”
Outpaced (verb): Moved or developed faster than.
- Example: “Domestic patent applications have outpaced foreign ones.”
Nurture (verb): Help develop and grow.
- Example: “ROBOFEST aims to nurture intellectual property among young minds.”
Reimburse (verb): Pay back money spent or lost.
- Example: “The scheme will reimburse patent costs for student innovators.”
Prowess (noun): Great skill or ability.
- Example: “The surge in patents shows India’s growing innovation prowess.”
Commercialization (noun): The process of managing or running something for profit.
- Example: “India still needs to improve the commercialization of granted patents.”
Lag (verb): Fall behind in movement, progress, or development.
- Example: “India still lags behind some developed nations in total patents.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What is a main reason for the increase in patents filed by Indian students?
How much did patent applications from educational institutions grow between 2021-22 and 2023-24?
Which Indian institution is mentioned for exceeding its patent filing goal?
What are some ways the government is helping students file patents?
What are two areas where India still needs to improve regarding patents?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Why do you think it’s important for a country to encourage its students to be innovative?
Do you think filing a patent is difficult or easy for students? Why?
How might having more patents help a country become a “Technology Superpower”?
What kind of support do you think is most helpful for young inventors?
If you had a new idea, what steps would you take to protect it?

Related Idiom

On the cutting edge

Meaning: At the most advanced stage of development; innovative.
Example: “Indian students are creating inventions that put the country on the cutting edge of technology.”

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This article was inspired by: July 16 2025 – The Indian Express