National Intellectual Property Rights Policy
Science & Technology › Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) · Topic 18.8
The National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet on 12 May 2016, is India's first comprehensive policy on IPR. Its vision is an India in which creativity and innovation are stimulated by IPRs for the benefit of all, and its slogan is Creative India; Innovative India. It has seven objectives: IPR awareness, generation of IPRs, a legal and legislative framework, administration and management, commercialisation of IPRs, enforcement and adjudication, and human capital development. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is the nodal department, and a Cell for IPR Promotion and Management, CIPAM, was set up to implement it. The policy led to measures such as faster patent examination, rebates for start-ups, the merger of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board with High Courts and Commercial Courts, and awareness drives.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
At a Glance
- Approved 12 May 2016
- Slogan Creative India; Innovative India
- Objectives Seven
- Nodal body DPIIT, CIPAM
- Aim IPR awareness to enforcement
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Where Does It Fit?
This is the last topic of the Science and Technology course. It ties together the earlier topics on copyrights, trademarks, patents, designs, trade secrets, GIs and plant varieties under one national policy. Previous topic: IPR in Agriculture: Plant Breeders’ Rights. This is the last topic of the subject.
What Are the Vision and Objectives of the Policy?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Approval | The Union Cabinet approved the National IPR Policy on 12 May 2016 |
| Vision | An IPR-informed and aware society in which creativity and innovation are stimulated for economic and social benefit |
| Slogan | Creative India; Innovative India |
| Objective 1: awareness | Outreach and promotion so that all sections understand the value of IPRs |
| Objective 2: generation | Stimulate the generation of IPRs |
| Objective 3: legal framework | Strong and effective laws that balance the interests of rights owners and the public |
| Objective 4: administration | Modernise and strengthen service-oriented IPR administration |
What Other Objectives and Measures Followed?
- Objective 5: commercialisation: get value for IPRs through commercialisation
- Objective 6: enforcement: strengthen enforcement and adjudication of IPR violations
- Objective 7: human capital: strengthen and expand human resources, institutions and skills in IPR
- Nodal agency: DPIIT of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry coordinates, with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
- CIPAM: Cell for IPR Promotion and Management, a body under DPIIT that raises awareness, supports start-ups and helps in commercialisation
- Start-ups: the Scheme for Facilitating Start-ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) gave up to 80 percent fee reduction for patents and 50 percent for trademarks
- Procedures: faster patent examination, e-filing and online services; time for disposing of trademarks cut
- Institutions: after the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, the Intellectual Property Appellate Board was abolished, and appeals go to High Courts, with commercial courts also hearing IP cases; IP divisions were set up in the Delhi, Madras, Calcutta, Bombay and Himachal High Courts
What Else Should You Remember?
- Review: the policy is to be reviewed every five years
- Rules changes: Patent Rules were amended in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2024
- Awareness: IPR education in schools and universities, and the Kalam Program for IP Literacy and Awareness Campaign (KAPILA)
- IPR chairs: chairs in universities
- Traditional knowledge: TKDL is an example of policy in action, as in Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- Global Innovation Index: India aims to improve its rank, which rose from 81st in 2015 to around 40th by 2023 to 2024
- Patents granted: grants have risen sharply with examiner increases
- International cooperation: India works with WIPO and the US, UK and EU on IPR matters
- TRIPS compliance: the policy states that India will keep to its international obligations while using flexibilities
- Public health: use of TRIPS flexibilities such as compulsory licensing is retained, as in Patents
- Copyright and creative industries: the policy promotes cinema, music and software, as in Copyrights
- Brand and GI promotion: support for Geographical Indications and brands
- Plant varieties: see IPR in Agriculture: Plant Breeders’ Rights
- Trade secrets: the policy asked for a study of protection of undisclosed information, as in Trade Secrets
- Commercial courts: the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 speeds up IP litigation
- Funding: IP-backed financing and valuation are being explored
- Criticism: the policy had few new laws, and critics ask for stronger measures against counterfeiting
- National IPR Policy text: the policy states that India should keep a balance between rights holders and the public interest
- Mission mode: awareness programmes are run with chambers of commerce and universities
- Policy origin: the policy followed a think tank report and public consultation in 2014 to 2015
- WIPO Convention: India is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization, which is based in Geneva
- IP Office: offices of the Controller General at Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai handle most applications
- Counterfeit goods: enforcement units and training of police and customs are part of the plan
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Date: 12 May 2016
- Slogan: Creative India; Innovative India
- Body: DPIIT, CIPAM
- Current affairs link: IPAB abolition and IP divisions
- Common errors: saying the policy is by the Ministry of Science or has five objectives
As an analytical point, the policy treats IPR as a tool for growth and not only a legal right. Its success depends on enforcement, speedy courts, awareness among small firms and access to affordable medicines and seeds.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Vision Creative India
- Objectives Seven
- Bodies DPIIT, CIPAM
What Came Next?
This is the last topic of the subject.
Key People and Terms
- NIPR Policy National IPR Policy
- DPIIT Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
- CIPAM Cell for IPR Promotion and Management
- SIPP Start-ups IP Protection scheme
- IPAB Intellectual Property Appellate Board
- KAPILA Kalam IP literacy campaign
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Approved 12 May 2016.
- Slogan: Creative India; Innovative India.
- Seven objectives.
- Nodal: DPIIT; cell: CIPAM.
- IPAB abolished in 2021.
Do Not Confuse With
- DPIIT and Ministry of Science Commerce department versus science ministry
- CIPAM and Patent Office Promotion cell versus registering authority
- IPAB and High Courts Abolished tribunal versus appeal forum
Memory Hook
Creative India, Innovative India: seven aims, sixteen approval, CIPAM promotes, DPIIT leads.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for the date, slogan and objectives. These points help.
- Vision IPR for growth
- Measures Seven objectives
- Gaps Enforcement
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Evaluate the National IPR Policy, 2016 and the progress made in achieving its objectives.”
How to Answer
- Vision Slogan.
- Objectives Seven.
- Measures CIPAM, SIPP.
- Gaps Enforcement.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National IPR Policy, 2016?
The National Intellectual Property Rights Policy was approved by the Union Cabinet on 12 May 2016 as India's first comprehensive IPR policy. It aims to promote creativity and innovation through seven objectives, from awareness and generation of IPRs to commercialisation, enforcement and human resource development, under the slogan Creative India; Innovative India.
What are the seven objectives of the National IPR Policy?
The seven objectives are IPR awareness and outreach, generation of IPRs, a strong legal and legislative framework, modern and service-oriented administration, commercialisation of IPRs, strengthening enforcement and adjudication, and building human capital and institutions in the field of IPR.
Which body implements the National IPR Policy?
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the nodal department. It set up the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management, CIPAM, to coordinate implementation, run awareness programmes and help start-ups protect and commercialise their intellectual property.
What is the SIPP scheme?
The Scheme for Facilitating Start-ups Intellectual Property Protection, started in 2016, gave start-ups the services of facilitators for patents, designs and trademarks, with the Government paying their fees, and offered an 80 percent rebate on patent fees and 50 percent on trademark fees.
What happened to the Intellectual Property Appellate Board?
The Intellectual Property Appellate Board was abolished under the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. Its appeals on patents, trademarks, designs and GIs now go to the High Courts, and IP divisions were set up in several High Courts to hear such cases.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The National IPR Policy was approved in 2016.
On 12 May 2016.
2 The policy has five objectives.
It has seven.
3 CIPAM works under DPIIT.
To implement the policy.
4 The slogan is Digital India, Creative India.
It is Creative India; Innovative India.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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