Like railway tickets and passports, patent applications will also get Tatkal windows for faster clearance

The patent regime in India is all set to be streamlined, since the government would now offer an option of 'Tatkal' window, so that patent applications can be cleared at the earliest.

Not only this, the government is also planning to significantly cut down the time period for which patents are granted, to two and a half years immediately and one and a half years by March 2018. As of now, it ranges from 5 to 7 years.

The modified patent rules would allow entities to choose the fast clearance route so that they can get patents earlier in return of some additional fees, in case they select India as International Search Authority or International Preliminary Examining Authorities. For this, they would have to file their applications in India first.

"The move is aimed at popularising India as a patent filing hub so that more companies file applications in India," said Rajiv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, DIPP.

These benefits will only be made available to new applicants.

Start-ups meeting the prescribed criteria will also be able to use the Tatkal route. While individuals and start-ups would need to pay Rs 8,000 for this, for companies this fee could be as much as Rs 60,000.

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