NEW DELHI: HL October 16, 2026
India’s Ayush sector has witnessed a significant expansion in research, innovation and intellectual property activity over the past decade, with patent applications increasing more than eightfold, according to the Status Report on Ayush Related Inventions in India (2014–2026) released during the celebrations of the 11th Ayurveda Day.
The report records a total of 4,077 Ayush-related patent applications and 711 patents granted between FY 2014–15 and FY 2025–26, highlighting the growing interest in developing and protecting innovations associated with Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.
Published by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the report provides an overview of patenting trends and the evolving innovation ecosystem in the Ayush sector.
Ayush Patent Applications Rise from 63 to 590 Annually
The report highlights a sharp rise in annual patent applications, which increased from 63 in FY 2014–15 to 590 in FY 2025–26, representing growth of approximately 836.5 per cent.
Patent filings reached a peak of 606 applications in FY 2022–23 before declining to 299 in FY 2023–24. The sector subsequently witnessed a strong recovery, with applications rising to 590 by FY 2025–26.
Patent grants have also increased considerably. According to the report, annual grants rose from just three in FY 2015–16 to 204 in FY 2023–24, reflecting the expanding patent activity associated with Ayush-related inventions.
These figures point to increasing efforts to develop innovative products, technologies and solutions connected with traditional healthcare systems.
Post-COVID Period Accounts for 70% of Patent Filings
The years following the COVID-19 pandemic witnessed a particularly strong acceleration in Ayush-related patent applications.
Between FY 2020–21 and FY 2025–26, the sector recorded 2,854 patent applications, accounting for approximately 70 per cent of the total filings during the period covered by the report.
In comparison, 1,223 applications were recorded between FY 2014–15 and FY 2019–20.
The post-COVID period also accounted for 657 patent grants, representing approximately 92.4 per cent of the 711 grants reported for the period under review.
The trend highlights the growing importance of research, product development and intellectual property protection in the Ayush innovation ecosystem.
Individual Innovators and Educational Institutions Drive Research
The report identifies individual innovators and educational institutions as major contributors to Ayush-related patent activity.
Natural persons accounted for 2,113 patent applications, representing 51.9 per cent of total filings, and received 398 patent grants.
Educational institutions contributed 995 applications and 88 grants. Together, natural persons and educational institutions accounted for 76.3 per cent of all patent applications recorded in the report.
Corporate and other entities filed 700 applications and received 176 grants. Small entities contributed 144 applications, while startups accounted for 125 filings.
The participation of these diverse groups reflects the expanding role of individual researchers, universities, research organisations, entrepreneurs and businesses in developing innovations related to traditional systems of medicine.
Maharashtra Emerges as a Leading Centre for Ayush Patent Activity
Maharashtra emerged as a leading state in Ayush-related intellectual property activity, recording 744 patent applications and 142 patent grants.
The state’s performance highlights its contribution to the development and protection of innovations in the Ayush sector.
The report’s state-level findings provide an overview of the geographical distribution of patent activity and help illustrate the growing spread of research and innovation across India’s traditional medicine ecosystem.
Government Emphasises Research and Intellectual Property Protection
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, said the substantial growth in patent filings and grants reflected the increasing focus on research, innovation and intellectual property within the sector.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment in which traditional knowledge, scientific research and contemporary innovation can contribute to new products, technologies and solutions while ensuring appropriate protection for India’s rich knowledge systems.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, also highlighted the steady expansion of the sector’s research and innovation base.
He noted that increasing participation from individuals, universities, research institutions, startups and industry was encouraging and could help strengthen the translation of research into innovative solutions.
The Ministry, he said, would continue to support evidence generation, research collaboration and innovation across the Ayush ecosystem.
Growing Role of Intellectual Property in Traditional Medicine
The findings underline the increasing integration of research, entrepreneurship, innovation and intellectual property protection within India’s Ayush sector.
Patent activity can help innovators protect eligible inventions and support the development of research-led products and technologies. However, patent filings and grants alone do not establish the clinical effectiveness or safety of a medical product; these require appropriate scientific evaluation and regulatory oversight.
As India continues to strengthen its traditional medicine ecosystem, the expansion of patent activity highlights the importance of scientific research, evidence generation, collaboration and responsible innovation.
The report provides a snapshot of the sector’s progress between FY 2014–15 and FY 2025–26 and highlights the growing role of intellectual property in the development of Ayush-related inventions.
