PCT-ISA/IPEA
The Indian Patent Office (IPO) is part of the office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and is responsible for the grant of patents in India. Patent Office was established in India 150 years ago and has undergone significant changes ever since.
The Patents Act 1970 was amended to fulfill the obligations of international agreements and treaties to which India became a party. The Government of India invested on infrastructure, both physical and manpower during the past decade, establishing a strong intellectual property regime in the country. The Indian Patent Office was recognized as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority under the PCT and started functioning from 15th October 2013. We have access to a comprehensive collection of patent and non-patent literature that covers the PCT minimum documentation. Professionally qualified and skilled Examiners are our assets. IPO has established a Quality Management System covering technical and administrative tasks of the office. Fully electronic processing system ensures speedy disposal and dissemination of information on real time basis.
Prof. (Dr) Unnat P. Pandit
Controller General of Patents,
Designs & Trade Marks
(CGPDTM), RoC, GI & SICLDR
Greetings, Intellectual Property Rights is an inevitable tool for today’s globalized economy. Fostering innovation is one of the sustainable development goals set by the Government of India. “An India where Intellectual Property stimulates creativity and innovation for the benefit of all” is the vision of our National IPR Policy. Several initiatives have already proven to foster innovation like the Make in India, Start up India, Digital India and Skill India. The Atal Innovation Mission nurtures the innovative energies across the country in schools and universities. Under the IPR policy, the cell for IPR Promotion and Management, CIPAM has been tasked to facilitate creation and commercialization of IP assets in collaboration with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks.
The filings for IP rights have considerably increased and the Intellectual Property Offices are also getting revamped in terms of capacity building. More Examiners have been recruited and trained in Patents. The Patent Office started functioning as International Searching and Examining Authority since October 2013. It is encouraging to note that more applicants are now choosing IPO for international search. Applicants registered as Start-ups and those who have chosen Indian Patent Office as ISA or IPEA in the corresponding international application can avail of the facility of Expedited Examination. To ensure quality in all our operations, a dedicated Quality Assurance Division has been set up in the Patent Office.
Manpower augmentationand business process reengineering have proved to substantially increase the output of the Trademarks Registry. Electronic communication has been initiated for Designs for quicker processing. Many of the globally famous products that are part of India’s rich cultural heritage have been registered as Geographical Indications. The Copyrights Office is also brought under the Office of CGPDTM.
With all efforts in place, it is expected that IPO would leap to even greater heights. I solicit the continued cooperation and support from all stakeholders for making our mission a success and also appreciate the relentless efforts put in by everyone in the organization.
Vision
Our policy is to achieve and maintain the best standards of quality in all our products and services.
Mission
We, at the Indian Patent Office, identify the following yardsticks determining the quality of our products and services-
- Reliability of our search reports
- Consistency in our examination reports
- Timeliness in delivering services
- Correctness of data while providing patent information
- Real time dissemination of information
- Stakeholder satisfaction, encouraging feedbacks and being responsive
- Continuous improvement
Interested in securing international protection for your invention?
If so, file a PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) International Application to seek protection in multiple countries which must be filed within 12 months from the date of filing of your patent application in India.
To know more about the PCT Procedure: PCT Procedure
PCT international application may be submitted electronically before Receiving Office India (RO/IN) through ePCT module.
Visit the ePCT Portal to learn more and start the process of filing PCT International application. For more information on filing formalities, forms and applicable fees, please refer to the PCT Applicant's Guide.
| Sr. No. | Kind of Fee or Charges | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Search fee (Rule 16.1(a)) | 10000 (2500) |
| 2. | Additional fee (Rule 40.2(a)) | 10000 (2500) |
| 3. | Protest fee (Rule 40.2(e)) and 68.3(e)) | 4000 (1000) |
| 4. | Late furnishing fee (Rule 13ter.1(c)) and 13ter.2) | 4000 (1000) |
| 5. | Preliminary examination fee (Rule 58.1(b)): | |
| - where the international search report was issued by the Authority | 10000 (2500) | |
| - in other cases | 12000 (3000) | |
| 6. | Additional fee (Rule 68.3(a)): | |
| – where the international search report was issued by the Authority | 10000 (2500) | |
| – in other cases | 12000 (3000) | |
| 7. | Cost of copies (Rules 44.3(b), 71.2(b)) and (94.2), per page | 10 |
| --- The amount in parentheses applies in cases where the filing is done by a Natural Person(s), Startup(s), Small Entity/entities, or Educational Institution(s). --- | ||
