In India, natural persons, DPIIT-recognised startups, small entities (MSMEs) and educational institutions pay the lower patent fee column, which is 80% less than other applicants: ₹1,600 instead of ₹8,000 to file, and ₹4,000 instead of ₹20,000 to request examination. Startups, small entities and some other categories can also request expedited examination. You claim the lower rate on Form 28 with supporting proof.
Patent fees in India are deliberately tilted in favour of smaller applicants. If you're an individual inventor, a startup, an MSME or a university, you pay one-fifth of the official fees a large company pays, at every stage from filing to renewal. Here's how the concessions work and how to make sure you get them.
Who gets the lower fees?
| Applicant | Who qualifies | Proof filed with Form 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Natural person | An individual inventor or applicant | Not needed |
| Startup | An entity recognised as a startup by DPIIT | DPIIT recognition certificate |
| Small entity | A micro, small or medium enterprise under the MSMED Act, 2006 | Udyam registration or other evidence of MSME status |
| Educational institution | A university established by a Central, State or Provincial Act, or another educational institution recognised by the government | Evidence of the institution's status |
If an application has several applicants and even one of them is outside these categories, the whole application pays the higher fee. And if an application is transferred to an applicant who doesn't qualify, the new applicant has to pay the difference in fees.
How much do you save?
| Fee | Startup / MSME / university / individual | Others | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing (Form 1) | ₹1,600 | ₹8,000 | 80% |
| Request for examination (Form 18) | ₹4,000 | ₹20,000 | 80% |
| Expedited examination (Form 18A) | ₹8,000 | ₹60,000 | 87% |
| Early publication (Form 9) | ₹2,500 | ₹12,500 | 80% |
| Each extra page / claim | ₹160 / ₹320 | ₹800 / ₹1,600 | 80% |
| Renewals, 20-year total | ₹76,800 | ₹3,84,000 | 80% |
See the full list of forms in our patent filing cost guide, or calculate your own case with the patent fee calculator.
Expedited examination: faster grants
Ordinary examination can take years to begin. Under Rule 24C, some applicants can request expedited examination on Form 18A, which typically brings the First Examination Report within months. Eligible applicants include:
- DPIIT-recognised startups
- small entities (MSMEs)
- female applicants who are natural persons
- government departments, government companies and institutions established by a Central or State Act that are owned or controlled by the government, or wholly or substantially funded by it
- applicants who chose India as the International Searching Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authority in a PCT application
- applicants eligible under a bilateral arrangement, such as a Patent Prosecution Highway
Expedited examination is filed online only, needs the complete specification to be on file, and needs the application to be published, so file a request for early publication (Form 9) with it if the application isn't yet published. Because it moves quickly, have your arguments ready: the reply deadlines are the same, but the examiner's report arrives much sooner.
For startups
- Get DPIIT recognition first. The certificate is the proof you file with Form 28.
- File before you pitch publicly or launch, so your demos and decks can't be cited against you.
- Consider expedited examination if a granted patent will help with fundraising or licensing.
- Government support for professional fees under the Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme ended on 31 March 2026, and no renewal had been announced at the time of writing. Check Startup India for any replacement scheme before you budget.
For MSMEs
- Keep your Udyam registration current and file it with Form 28.
- If your business grows beyond MSME limits, fees for later stages may change, so check your status before each payment.
- Many state governments and MSME schemes reimburse part of the cost of patent filing. Ask your state's MSME department or district industries centre.
For universities and research institutions
- File before submitting the paper, thesis or conference abstract. A published paper can destroy the novelty of the university's own invention.
- Name the inventors correctly. Students and faculty who contributed to the inventive concept are inventors; supervisors who only provided resources are not.
- Make sure the university's IP policy covers assignment from inventors, so the institution can apply as the applicant.
- Government-funded institutions may also qualify for expedited examination.
- University patents count towards NIRF rankings and grant applications, so a well-drafted filing has value beyond commercial use.
Renewals
The lower fees continue for renewals throughout the 20-year term. Since 2024, paying renewals online for four or more years in advance also gives a 10% reduction. Use our patent renewal service so you don't miss a date.
Common mistakes
- Not filing Form 28, and paying the higher fee without realising.
- Adding a co-applicant who doesn't qualify, such as a large partner company, which moves the whole application to the higher fee.
- Disclosing the invention publicly before filing, assuming the lower fees mean a simpler process.
- Missing the 31-month request-for-examination deadline. The application is then treated as withdrawn, whatever fee category you're in.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a startup pay to file a patent in India?
A DPIIT-recognised startup pays ₹1,600 to file online and ₹4,000 to request examination, or ₹8,000 for expedited examination, for up to 30 pages and 10 claims. Professional fees are extra.
Is an MSME a small entity for patent fees?
Yes. A micro, small or medium enterprise under the MSMED Act, 2006 is a small entity and pays the lower fee column. Claim it on Form 28 with your Udyam registration.
Do universities get patent fee concessions?
Yes. Educational institutions pay the same lower fees as individuals, startups and small entities.
Who can request expedited patent examination in India?
Startups, small entities, female natural-person applicants, government departments and government-owned or funded institutions, PCT applicants who chose India as ISA or IPEA, and applicants under bilateral arrangements, among others.
Is the SIPP scheme still available?
The Startups Intellectual Property Protection scheme, under which the government paid facilitators' professional fees for startups, ended on 31 March 2026. Check the Startup India portal for any extension or replacement.
What is Form 28?
Form 28 is the form used to claim startup or small entity status, with supporting documents, so you can pay the lower patent fees. It has no fee of its own.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and thresholds change; speak to an expert about your situation.