Ayush Patents in India: How Many Patents Have Been Filed and Granted Since 2015?

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.