In today's knowledge- and technology-driven economy, patents have become one of the most sought-after forms of currency. Multinational companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, Nvidia and Tesla, whose market values exceed the GDP of many countries, demonstrate the central role of technology monetisation in global growth. According to reports from NDTV Profit, a patent is a statutory right granted for a limited period - usually 20 years - for a new and inventive product or process, providing exclusive rights to commercially exploit an invention within a country. As industry experts note, patents are fundamentally exclusionary rights rather than affirmative rights to practice an invention, allowing patent holders to exclude others from making, using, selling, offering for sale, or importing an invention.
India is witnessing a substantial rise in patent activities, with patent applications crossing 75,000 according to the latest annual report of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. As reported by NDTV Profit, Indian residents account for more than 61.9% of filings, indicating strong domestic innovation momentum. The country has also improved its global innovation ranking, rising to 38th place among 139 economies according to the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index 2025, marking an improvement of nearly 10 places from its rank of 48 in 2020. According to recent industry analysis, a well-prepared patent application can protect market share, support licensing negotiations, attract investors, and discourage competitors, making patents essential business tools rather than purely technical legal documents.
The government continues to support domestic innovation through strategic initiatives including the Viksit Bharat vision, which aims to accelerate the country's transition towards next-generation connectivity through initiatives focused on 6G technologies. According to NDTV Profit, India has also started moving into less explored areas, with the government actively encouraging patent filings in mining and minerals as part of its strategy to achieve self-reliance in critical minerals under the National Critical Mineral Mission, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on January 29, 2025. Industry experts emphasize that filing decisions, enforcement strategies, and portfolio development should all be tied to real market opportunities, with companies advised to focus first on countries where major sales are expected and where competitors are likely to manufacture competing products.
While India is witnessing a sharp rise in patent filings, the conversion of applications into granted patents continues to raise concerns. A recent study published in February 2026 showed higher conversion rates among government educational institutions, but the picture appears less comfortable for private institutions. As reported by NDTV Profit, companies with substantial patent portfolios across multiple sectors have demonstrated significant revenue generation capabilities, with Microsoft generating nearly $2 billion in revenue from patents related to Android alone a decade ago. Industry analysis suggests that a poorly drafted application may provide little meaningful protection despite costing substantial time and money, making strategic claim drafting critical for effective patent preparation.
The most effective tools for patent monetization include licensing arrangements recognized under India's National IPR Policy 2016, which can take multiple forms including bilateral licenses and multi-party arrangements known as patent pools. According to NDTV Profit, another concept gaining attention is the Sovereign Patent Fund, public funds created to acquire and manage patent portfolios, which was acknowledged by the Government of India in its National Policy on Electronics 2019, particularly in the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing sector. Industry experts emphasize that patents can serve as valuable business assets that support fundraising, licensing opportunities, competitive positioning, and long-term enterprise value, with companies advised to approach patent strategy strategically from business analysis rather than legal analysis alone.
