Ayush-related innovation and intellectual property activity in India has witnessed a significant expansion over the past decade, with 4,077 patent applications filed and 711 patents granted between FY 2014–15 and FY 2025–26, according to the Status Report on Ayush Related Inventions in India (2014–2026) released during the celebrations of the 11th Ayurveda Day.
Published by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (CGPDTM), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the report provides an overview of the evolution of Ayush-related inventions and intellectual property activity in India over the period.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, reiterated, “The substantial growth in Ayush-related patent filings and grants reflects the increasing focus on research, innovation and intellectual property in the Ayush sector. The Government is committed to creating an enabling ecosystem where traditional knowledge, scientific research and contemporary innovation can contribute to new products, technologies and solutions while ensuring that India’s rich knowledge systems are appropriately protected.”
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, emphasised, “The steady expansion of patent activity demonstrates the growing research and innovation base of the Ayush sector. The increasing participation of individuals, universities, research institutions, startups and industry is encouraging and will help strengthen the translation of research into innovative solutions. The Ministry will continue to support evidence generation, research collaboration and innovation across the Ayush ecosystem.”
The report highlights a sharp increase in patenting activity, with annual filings rising from 63 applications in FY 2014–15 to 590 applications in FY 2025–26, representing a growth of around 836.5 per cent. Patent filings peaked at 606 applications in FY 2022–23, then fell to 299 in FY 2023–24 before recovering to 590 by FY 2025–26. Annual patent grants also increased substantially, from 3 in FY 2015–16 to 204 in FY 2023–24.
The post-COVID period witnessed a particularly strong acceleration in patent activity. Between FY 2020–21 and FY 2025–26, 2,854 applications, or 70 per cent of total filings, were recorded, compared with 1,223 applications during FY 2014–15 to FY 2019–20. Similarly, 657 patents, accounting for 92.4 per cent of all grants, were awarded during the post-COVID period.
The expanding innovation ecosystem is reflected in the diversity of applicants. Natural persons accounted for 2,113 applications, or 51.9 per cent of total filings, and 398 grants, while educational institutions contributed 995 applications and 88 grants. Together, natural persons and educational institutions accounted for 76.3 per cent of total filings. Corporate and other entities accounted for 700 applications and 176 grants, while small entities and startups contributed 144 and 125 filings, respectively.
The findings of the report underline the growing integration of research, innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property protection within the Ayush ecosystem, with increasing participation from individual innovators, educational institutions, research organisations, startups and industry.