Ayush Innovation Booms: Patent Filings Surge Eightfold
India sees a massive surge in Ayush-related innovation with patent filings jumping from 63 to 590 annually. Explore the growth of traditional medicine IP.
India is witnessing a massive transformation in how traditional medicine is being documented and protected. According to the recently released Status Report on Ayush Related Inventions in India (2014-2026), Ayush patent filings have seen a staggering increase, signaling a new era where ancient wisdom meets modern intellectual property standards.
The report, published by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, was unveiled during the 11th Ayurveda Day celebrations. It reveals that between FY 2014-15 and FY 2025-26, a total of 4,077 patent applications were filed, with 711 patents successfully granted.
A Dramatic Leap in Innovation
The most striking aspect of the report is the sheer pace of growth. In FY 2014-15, only 63 patent applications were filed. By FY 2025-26, this number climbed to 590, representing a phenomenal growth of approximately 836.5 per cent.
The trajectory of these filings has seen some fluctuations over the decade:
- The Peak: Filings reached an all-time high of 606 applications in FY 2022-23.
- The Dip: There was a notable drop to 299 applications in FY 2023-24.
- The Recovery: The numbers bounced back strongly to 590 in FY 2025-26.
It isn't just the applications that have grown; the actual grants have seen a similar upward trend. Annual patent grants rose from a mere three in FY 2015-16 to 204 in FY 2023-24.
Who is Leading the Charge?
The innovation ecosystem in the Ayush sector is diverse, involving a mix of individual brilliance and institutional research. Interestingly, individual innovators (natural persons) are the primary drivers, accounting for 51.9 per cent of total filings with 2,113 applications and 398 grants.
Educational institutions also play a pivotal role, contributing 995 applications and 88 grants. Together, individuals and academia make up 76.3 per cent of all filings. Other contributors include:
- Corporate Entities: 700 applications and 176 grants.
- Small Entities: 144 filings.
- Startups: 125 filings.
Geographically, Maharashtra has emerged as the powerhouse of Ayush innovation, leading the country with 744 filings and 142 grants.
Government Vision for Traditional Knowledge
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, highlighted that this growth reflects a deepening focus on research and intellectual property. He emphasized the government's commitment to an ecosystem where traditional knowledge and scientific research converge to create new technologies and products while keeping India's heritage protected.
"The substantial growth in Ayush-related patent filings and grants reflects the increasing focus on research, innovation and intellectual property in the Ayush sector," stated Minister Prataprao Jadhav.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, added that the increasing involvement of startups, universities, and industry players is encouraging. He noted that the Ministry will continue to push for evidence generation and research collaborations to ensure that academic research is successfully translated into real-world innovative solutions.