Patent Registration in India: Complete Process and Timeline
Patenting an invention in India takes 2–5 years from filing to grant, following a fixed sequence: filing, publication at 18 months, examination request, and grant. Government fees start around ₹1,600 for individuals/startups/small entities filing a provisional application, rising for larger companies and for the complete specification.
Step-by-step process
- Patentability search: Check prior art to confirm novelty and inventive step before filing
- File a provisional application: Secures a priority date; gives 12 months to file the complete specification
- File the complete specification: Detailed technical description with claims, drawings and abstract
- Publication: Application is published 18 months after filing (or earlier on request)
- Request for Examination (RFE): Must be filed within 48 months of priority date, or the application is deemed withdrawn
- Examination and response to objections: Examiner issues a First Examination Report; you respond within 6 months
- Grant: Once objections are cleared, the patent is granted and published
What can and cannot be patented
Patentable: new products, processes, and methods with novelty, inventive step and industrial application. Not patentable in India: mere discoveries, mathematical/business methods, computer programs "per se", and methods of medical treatment.
How long does patent protection last?
20 years from the filing date, subject to annual renewal fees from the 3rd year onward to keep the patent in force.
Fast-track options
Startups and small entities can request expedited examination, which can compress the examination timeline to under 12 months in many cases — significantly faster than the standard queue.
Protecting an invention? Our IP team also handles patent filing and prosecution alongside trademark registration.