Filing of patent applications has increased by 30.2 per cent to 1,43,729 in 2025-26 against 1,10,375 in the previous fiscal, on account of several initiatives taken by the government to strengthen the intellectual property rights ecosystem, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday.

India is the world’s 6th largest patent filer.

“Our patent filings soared to a historic 1.43 lakh+ in FY 2025-26, marking a 30.2 per cent increase over last year. With over 69 per cent of patents filed domestically, led by innovators from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, we are showing the world that Made in India is powered by Invented in India,” Goyal said in a social media post.

The filings have been continuously increasing since 2016-17, when they were 45,444. It was 47,894 in 2027-28, 50,660 in 2018-19, 56,268 in 2019-20, 58,503 in 2020-21, 66,440 in 2021-22, 82,208 in 2022-23, and 92,163 in 2023-24.

The government has undertaken several measures to strengthen the patent ecosystem in the country, particularly aimed at startups, MSMEs and educational institutions.

These steps include the reduction of fees for startups, small entities, and educational institutions; providing expedited examination of patent applications; and pro bono facilitation to Indian startups for the filing and processing of patent, trademark, and design applications.

The patent applications are granted only after substantive examination to determine compliance with the requirements of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability under the Patents Act, 1970.

The examination process follows a two-tier system, wherein applications are examined and subsequently reviewed by the controller.

The Act also provides for pre-grant opposition by any person and post-grant opposition by any interested person, thereby ensuring that only genuine and quality patents are granted.

Published on April 12, 2026

US President Donald Trump
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS

US President Donald Trump has shared an article suggesting that the option of enforcing a naval blockade was available in context of Iran as peace talks ended in a stalemate in Islamabad after differences of opinion arose between the two parties on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear capacities. The US President shared the article in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.

The article posted by outlet Just the News cited experts who said that Trump could “out-blockade” Iran’s hold over the strait of Hormuz and recalled US military ops in Venezuela earlier this year as an example where with a naval blockade impacted the country’s economy.

The piece noted how the USS Gerald Ford carrier, which led the Venezuelan blockade is now in the Persian Gulf and has joined the USS Abraham Lincoln and other major naval assets. “It would be very easy for the US Navy to exert complete control over what does and does not go up and down the Strait now,” the Lexington Institute’s national security expert Rebecca Grant told Just the News.

“I’ve heard about 10 ships have moved in the last 24 hours. One of them was a reflagged Russian tanker, and we know that cargos have gone out to China, to India, and we’ve seen some inbound traffic. If Iran gets intransigent, then absolutely, the US Navy can set up with great overwater surveillance … and watch everything that goes in and out of that Strait and you’ll have to ask the US Navy if you want to move past Kharg Island or past that narrow part by Oman,” she said as per Just the News. Peace remains elusive as JD Vance departed from Islamabad after hitting a gridlock in talks with Iran.

“We’ve had a number of substance agreements with the Iranians- that is the good news. The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement. That is bad news for Iran, much more than it is bad news for the United States of America”, Vance told reporters in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Head of Center for Public Diplomacy and Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, on Sunday, said that Iran’s negotiators are employing all their capabilities, adding that the success of the efforts depends on the acceptance of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.Baqaei said that Iran’s heavy losses have made its resolve stronger than ever and that it uses all its tools to secure its national interests.

“Nothing can or should deter us from pursuing our great historical mission toward our beloved homeland and noble Iranian civilization. The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to utilize all tools, including diplomacy, to secure national interests and protect the country’s well-being,” he said.

“In the past 24 hours, discussions were held on various dimensions of the main negotiation topics, including the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue, war reparations, lifting of sanctions, and the complete end to the war against Iran and in the region. The success of this diplomatic process depends on the seriousness and good faith of the opposing side, refraining from excessive demands and unlawful requests, and the acceptance of Iran’s legitimate rights and interests,” he added.

Meanwhile, security situation continues to evolve in West Asia. Al Jazeera Breaking reported on Sunday that Israel intercepted drones launched from Lebanon. Smoke was also seen rising from Beirut suburbs on Sunday as per Reuters.

As the situation develops, Tasnim News Agency said on Sunday citing an informed source that Iran has offered reasonable proposals in the negotiations held in Islamabad, adding that the ball is now in the US court.

Published on April 12, 2026