For decades, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have symbolized academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and technological innovation in India. However, recent data reveals a surprising trend: several private universities are filing more patents annually than IITs combined.
So what’s driving this shift?
Private universities aggressively pursue patents to boost their positions in national frameworks like the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Patent counts directly impact innovation and research scores, motivating institutions to file in large volumes.
Many private universities offer cash rewards, promotions, and financial incentives to faculty and even students for filing patents. This creates a strong filing culture, where quantity sometimes becomes as important as quality.
Unlike IITs, which often focus on high-impact research and selective patenting, some private institutions adopt a bulk-filing approach. They frequently file provisional patents early in the research cycle to increase numbers.
Several private universities have strong ties with local industries and startups. Their research often targets applied innovation, making patent filing a practical business strategy rather than purely academic output.
Private institutions typically have faster decision-making processes and dedicated IP cells that simplify filing procedures. In contrast, public institutions sometimes face bureaucratic delays.
However, experts caution that patent quantity does not always equal innovation quality. The real measure lies in granted patents, commercialization success, and technology transfer impact.
This evolving patent landscape reflects a broader transformation in India’s higher education ecosystem—where research visibility, competition, and global positioning increasingly shape institutional strategies.
The Indian patent story is no longer just about legacy institutions; it’s about who adapts fastest in the race for innovation leadership.
