- As you are aware, the present ruling dispensation at the Centre led by the Prime Minister has been passionately advocating the necessity to encourage the Make in India campaign over the last few years. Of course, the pandemic did erect an obstacle in the endeavour but with the situation returning to almost normal over the last few months, the focus is back on startups to drive innovation and concurrently create jobs. It is simply unrealistic to expect the government machinery to start producing employment opportunities on expected lines but requires wholehearted participation of private enterprises to chip in equal measures, if not more. The modern-day technology-driven innovativeness should be allowed to flourish come what may.
PC: Elena Smith
- Now, if the above-intended endeavour must fructify, it is imperative that patenting becomes faster rather than meander along as is the case presently. Note that a working paper published by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council pinpoints some areas requiring the Government of India’s attention. Let’s delve further to understand what the paper suggests. It notes that manpower at the patent office is woefully inadequate, leading to delayed issuing of patents. Needless to mention, this gives other countries that quickly process patent applications an unnecessary advantage. The moot point to ponder over here is why we are unable to strengthen the much-needed patent office with adequate manpower. Red-tapism, you bet.
- Even as the Government of India desperately looks to fill 10 lakh central government vacancies by 2024 to tide over the jobs crisis, it is bolstering public recruitments in the right areas that will help reduce redundant government hiring elsewhere. As statistics reveal, India’s patent office had just 858 examiners and controllers in 2020 against over 13,000 in China and 8,000 in the US. While patent applications have increased from 45,444 in 2016-17 to over 665,000 in 2020-21, corresponding 2020 numbers for China were 15 lakh and US 6 lakh. Obviously, the research and development capabilities of Indian academia and industry are lagging hugely. The comparison simply shows how far India is lagging on this crucial front.
PC: Radhicka Kapoor
- Moreover, reducing the average time to dispose of application – 58 months in India against 15 in Japan, 20 in China, and 21 in the US – is easier. However, hiring 2,000 hands expeditiously for the patent office will help immensely. Mind you, slow disposal not only delays new technologies but also sends serious innovators abroad. Hearteningly, World Intellectual Property Organisation’s 2010-19 data showed that Indians filed a nearly similar number of applications within the country (1.2 lakh) and abroad (1.07 lakh), but only 13,670 patents were granted in India against 44,000 abroad. Patent applications from startups saw a marked fivefold increase since 2016, touching 6,000 in 2021-22. Patents also help startups secure funding, which in turn creates jobs. The government must note.
