Key Highlights

  • Decade-long climb: 4,077 Ayush-related patent applications were filed and 711 patents granted between FY15 and FY26.
  • Sharp annual jump: Yearly filings rose from 63 in FY15 to 590 in FY26, a growth of about 836.5 per cent.
  • Not a straight line: Filings peaked at 606 in FY 2022–23, fell to 299 in FY 2023–24, then recovered to 590 by FY26.
  • Individuals lead the charge: Natural persons filed 2,113 applications (51.9 per cent); with educational institutions, they account for 76.3 per cent of all filings.
  • Industry still catching up: Corporate and other entities filed 700 applications, while small entities and startups contributed 144 and 125 filings respectively.

India’s traditional medicine sector is increasingly speaking the language of modern intellectual property. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Ayush released on Friday, 4,077 Ayush-related patent applications were filed and 711 patents granted between FY15 and FY26, citing data from the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Annual filings grew from just 63 in FY15 to 590 in FY26, a rise of about 836.5 per cent. Grants also expanded significantly, from three in FY16 to 204 in FY24.

The Dip That Tells Its Own Story

The growth curve was not uninterrupted. Filings touched a high of 606 in FY 2022–23 before falling to 299 in FY 2023–24, and then bounced back to 590 by FY26. The statement does not explain the mid-period decline, but the swift recovery suggests the underlying innovation pipeline remained intact rather than signalling a structural slowdown.

Who Is Filing: Individuals Over Industry

The most striking takeaway is the ownership pattern. Natural persons accounted for 2,113 applications, or 51.9 per cent of the total, along with 398 grants. Educational institutions contributed 995 applications and 88 grants. Together, these two groups made up 76.3 per cent of all filings.

Corporate and other entities filed 700 applications but secured 176 grants, a comparatively stronger conversion rate than educational institutions. Small entities and startups contributed 144 and 125 filings respectively.

What the Leadership Said

“The substantial growth in Ayush-related patent filings and grants reflects the increasing focus on research, innovation and intellectual property in the Ayush sector,” said Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare.

“The government is committed to creating an enabling ecosystem where traditional knowledge, scientific research and contemporary innovation can contribute to new products, technologies and solutions while ensuring that India’s rich knowledge systems are appropriately protected,” Jadhav said.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, added: “The steady expansion of patent activity demonstrates the growing research and innovation base of the Ayush sector. The increasing participation of individuals, universities, research institutions, startups and industry is encouraging and will help strengthen the translation of research into innovative solutions.”

Kotecha said the ministry will continue to support evidence generation, research collaboration and innovation across the Ayush ecosystem.

Why It Matters

For decades, a recurring concern around traditional knowledge has been the risk of it being claimed or commercialised without benefiting its original custodians. A rising volume of domestic filings indicates that Indian innovators are increasingly formalising their work and securing ownership of new formulations, processes and technologies.

Industry Impact

The gap between filings and grants, 4,077 against 711, highlights the next challenge: turning applications into protected, market-ready innovations. The relatively modest share of startups points to room for incubation support, funding and IP literacy in the space.

Audience Sentiment

With wellness, herbal products and preventive health gaining mainstream attention among Indian consumers, stronger patent activity could translate into more credible, research-backed Ayush products on shelves.

The numbers show a sector moving from tradition to traceable innovation. The real test ahead is whether individuals and universities, who dominate filings today, can find industry partners to take their ideas to market.