India Accelerates Innovation Drive Through National IP Awards 2024: Piyush Goyal

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Goyal underlined the vital role of innovation in India’s journey toward becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).

In a strong affirmation of India’s commitment to fostering innovation and bolstering its intellectual property (IP) framework, the National Intellectual Property Awards 2024 were held with grandeur at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on March 26. The event was graced by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, along with Justice Prathiba Maninder Singh, Judge of the Delhi High Court.

These prestigious awards, conferred annually, recognize individuals, institutions, organizations, and enterprises for their exceptional contributions to IP creation, protection, and commercialization. In doing so, they significantly strengthen India's evolving IP ecosystem and encourage the culture of innovation across the nation’s industrial and academic sectors.

India’s Innovation Story: From Ancient Ingenuity to Modern Tech

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Goyal underlined the vital role of innovation in India’s journey toward becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). He highlighted that India’s legacy of scientific brilliance, from the invention of ‘zero’ to the game of chess (Chaturanga), represents the deep-rooted innovation in its DNA. Calling it the “Sangam of tradition and technology,” he emphasized that innovation would be the defining element of India’s transformation in the Amrit Kaal.

“No country can be truly developed without a strong focus on R&D and technology,” Shri Goyal said, underscoring the importance of research, science, and tech-based progress in the coming decades.

Major Announcements and Government Initiatives

Shri Goyal unveiled a series of policy-level reforms and infrastructural advancements to boost India’s IP regime:

• India’s Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking has surged from 81 in 2015 to 39 in 2024.

• India now ranks 6th globally for trademark filings, and has granted nearly 100,000 patents in the past year.

• A massive 80% fee reduction for women entrepreneurs, startups, and MSMEs encourages inclusive participation in the IP space.

• The government is set to recruit 400 new patent examiners, currently undergoing training, to expedite application processing.

• A state-of-the-art IP Office has been inaugurated in Dwarka, New Delhi, which will accommodate over 750 officers, vastly improving administrative efficiency.

---

Digital Push and Legal Infrastructure for IP

Shri Goyal emphasized the need to adopt modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics in areas like trademark search, IP enforcement, and patent processing. He also called for:

• The establishment of dedicated IP benches in High Courts.

• Introduction of an internship program for law students to engage with the IP ecosystem.

• Stronger copyright protection mechanisms to safeguard creators and businesses.

---

Anusandhan NRF and Public-Private-Academic Partnerships

To support India’s scientific ambitions, the government has launched the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF). This body will act as a key enabler of collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions. Shri Goyal highlighted the importance of Atal Tinkering Labs, which are shaping the next generation of innovators at the school level.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “The significance of science is not only in invention and development but also in fulfilling the aspirations of the last person,” reiterating the government's goal of inclusive growth through scientific progress.

---

National Intellectual Property Awards 2024: Full List of Winners

The awards were presented across 13 core categories and special recognitions:

Top IP Contributors

1. Top Indian Individual - Patents

   • Male: Sidramappa Shivashankar Dharane

   • Female: Dr. Swagatika Panda

2. Top Indian Individual - Designs

   • Dr. Anusha P.

3. Top Academic Institution - Patents

   • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur

4. Top R&D Institution

   • Anna University

5. Top Public/Private Companies

   • Manufacturing: Tata Steel Limited

   • Services: Jio Platforms Limited

6. Top Indian MSME

   • West Bengal Chemical Industries Ltd.

7. Top Start-up

   • Numeros Motors Pvt. Ltd.

8. Top Organisation - Designs

   • IIT Bombay

9. Top Brand Creator

   • Biocon Biologics Ltd.

10. Best IP Incubator

• AIC - Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation

---

Special Citations and Jury Recognition

In addition to the main awards, special citations and jury recognitions were presented:

• Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC): West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology

• Patent Information Centre (PIC): West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology

• Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC): Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune

• Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL): DCM Presidency School, Ludhiana

Jury Certificate Award for Rural-Centric Invention:

• Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. & Coromandel International Ltd.

Letter of Appreciation Awards:

• ATL Category: Amity International School, Ghaziabad

• Top Company Category: NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA)

---

India’s Global Recognition Through WIPO Awards

This year, the National IP Awards were linked with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Awards, further aligning India’s efforts with global IP standards.

WIPO Awardees:

1. WIPO IP Enterprises Trophy: Jio Platforms Limited and Tata Steel Limited

2. WIPO Medal for Inventors: Sidramappa Shivashankar Dharane

3. WIPO Users Trophy: Biocon Biologics Ltd. and IIT Kanpur

---

Conclusion: A Bold Leap Towards Viksit Bharat

The National IP Awards 2024 stand as a testament to India’s unwavering focus on promoting innovation, scientific excellence, and IP commercialization. As the country marches toward becoming a global innovation powerhouse, initiatives such as these lay the foundation for a resilient, inclusive, and technology-driven economy.

With robust policy support, cutting-edge infrastructure, and collaborative platforms like Anusandhan NRF and Atal Tinkering Labs, India is poised to take confident strides toward Viksit Bharat, empowering innovators at every level of society.