When a country files more patents, it’s often seen as a sign of progress. But it’s not just about quantity. Patents tell us something deeper, who’s inventing, who’s protecting their work, and who’s serious about turning ideas into economic power.
As per 2024 government report, India filed 64,480 patent applications through its own intellectual property office, enough to place it 6th in the world by the number of domestic filings. That’s ahead of countries like the UK and France, both of which have long histories of innovation.
But before celebrating the ranking, it’s worth asking a more important question: How does India truly compare to the world’s innovation leaders?
How Are These Patents Rankings Measured?
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) tracks global patent activity each year. Their rankings don’t count where a company is headquartered, they look at where the patent was filed.
If a US company files in China, it adds to China’s total. If an Indian university files in the US, it boosts the US number.
So, when WIPO says India ranks 6th, it means India’s national patent office (CGPDTM) received the sixth-highest number of applications globally in 2023.
The Top 6 Countries by National Patent Office Filings
According to WIPO’s latest data (as of July 2025), these six countries received the most patent applications at their own national IP offices:
- China – 1,642,500
- United States – 518,800
- Japan – 414,400
- South Korea – 288,000
- Germany – 133,000
- India – 64,480
This ranking doesn’t include international filings under PCT or through regional offices like the European Patent Office. It’s a snapshot of domestic patent activity, and India now clearly holds the 6th spot.
Why India Now Ranks Above the UK and France
This is where things get tricky and often misunderstood.
It’s true that France and the UK have long been ahead in global innovation metrics. But when it comes to WIPO’s national filing counts, they’re lower because many of their applications go through the European Patent Office (EPO).
India, on the other hand, files almost entirely through its own national office, giving it a higher number in this specific comparison.
So while India ranks higher by domestic patent filings, countries like France and the UK still contribute heavily to global innovation through regional and international systems.
What’s Fueling India’s Patent Boom in the Last 5 Years
Several factors explain India’s rise:
- Domestic participation: Over 55% of patent applications in India now come from Indian residents, a major shift from past decades.
- Academic and startup growth: IITs, research institutions, and startups are filing earlier and more frequently.
- Government support: Policies like SIPP and lower fees for MSMEs have encouraged more filings.
- Wider awareness: IPR literacy campaigns have expanded access to patent systems in smaller cities and among first-time inventors.
The Patents Numbers Look Good, But the Story Isn’t That Simple
Despite the high number of filings, India still faces critical structural gaps:
- Grant rate is low: Only about 1 in 3 applications filed in India is granted, often due to incomplete documentation or lack of novelty.
- Slow timelines: It takes 2.5 to 3 years on average for patent examination and final decisions, longer than in Japan, South Korea, or the US.
- Underutilized tech areas: While some sectors (like pharma and IT) dominate filings, deep-tech areas like semiconductors, biotech, and green energy still see relatively few applications.
Filing More Patents Is Easy – Catching Up With the Best Countries Is Not
India’s next phase of progress depends on:
- Faster examinations and quicker grant decisions
- Better enforcement so patents actually protect rights in court
- More skilled examiners trained in AI, electronics, and biotech
- Wider adoption of international filing routes to make Indian innovation more globally visible
Without these, the volume of filings won’t translate into economic strength or global leadership.
India’s Patent Rank Is Just the Beginning, What Comes Next Matters More
India’s 6th-place ranking is a clear signal that innovation is gaining momentum. But filing more patents is just the first step.
The challenge now is to ensure those patents are strong, defensible, and commercially meaningful. That means building an ecosystem where inventors are supported not just to file, but to scale, export, and enforce their ideas in a competitive global market.
Innovation isn’t just about showing up in a ranking, it’s about turning ideas into impact. And for India, the real work is only beginning.
Check Complete Patent Ranking and details – here
