The latest World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) 2025 report from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) confirms a significant market trend: India is solidifying its position as a major global engine for innovation.
Key Data Points:
Explosive Patent Filings: India recorded 64,480 patent applications by origin in 2023, marking 15.7% growth, its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth. For the first time, resident filings accounted for 55.2% of all applications at the Indian IP office (up from 24.8% in 2013). India ranks 6th globally in patent filings.
Fastest growth in patent grants: Among top 20 offices, grants in India were +149.4% in 2023, driven by non-resident grants (+119.4%) and resident grants (+30%). Patents in force in India rose to 188,785, up from 76,556 in 2019.
- Expedited processing: India granted patents for 81.4% of processed applications, among the highest globally, with an average pendency of 10.6 months to first action and 49.5 months to final decision.
These trends confirm that India is transitioning from a defensive market where IP protection was primarily sought by foreign entities, to a thriving origin of patentable technology.
For international clients, investors, and fellow practitioners focused on market dynamics, this shift signifies a fundamental, structural expansion of India’s domestic R&D and innovation base and would have critical strategic implications.
Strategic Implications for Cross-Border IP
Elevated Due Diligence: The rising volume of domestic filings increases the complexity of freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses for any foreign entity entering the Indian market. IP due diligence in M&A or joint ventures involving Indian technology now requires deeper scrutiny of the local patent landscape.
Globalisation of Indian Innovation: The innovators driving this domestic surge will increasingly look to protect their assets in key jurisdictions, including the UK and Europe. We must be prepared to provide high-calibre, international-standard advice to help these inventors secure robust, enforceable patent rights abroad.
New Licensing and Acquisition Targets: The abundance of quality, resident-generated IP creates new opportunities for international companies seeking to license or acquire cutting-edge technologies in high-growth sectors like IT, pharma, and engineering.
Partnering with India's Innovation Ecosystem
The WIPI 2025 report validates that the window for engaging and advising these burgeoning innovators is now. The need for counsel who can seamlessly bridge the gap between Indian innovation and the rigorous demands of the UK and European patent systems is more pressing than ever.