The Indian Intellectual Property Office recently released its Annual Report for the year 2023-2024, providing valuable insights into design registration activity in India. This article highlights key trends, policy updates, and institutional efforts aimed at promoting design innovation and streamlining administrative processes.
Design registration in India is governed by the Designs Act, 2000, and the Designs Rules, 2001, along with amendments in 2008, 2014, and 2021. The law aims to protect the aesthetic features of industrial designs—such as shape, configuration, ornamentation, and pattern—so long as these are judged solely by the eye.
Initiatives taken by Indian Design Office for Efficient and Transparent Public Service Delivery
The Designs Office has implemented multiple initiatives to modernize and streamline its services:
- E-filing facility for new and amended design applications was upgraded to facilitate better functioning.
- Incorporation of Start-Up category into the Designs Rules (effective Jan 25, 2021). For an Indian entity, a start-up is an entity recognized as so by the competent authority under Startup India Initiative. For a foreign applicant, a start-up is an entity fulfilling the criteria for turnover and period of incorporation or registration as per Startup India Initiative and submitting declaration to that effect.
- Updated classification of articles as per the latest Locarno Classification by WIPO.
- Examination pendency reduced to just one month from filing.
- Electronic systems implemented for priority document submission (via WIPO-DAS), VC-based hearings, and post-registration actions.
- Introduction of E-Certificates and an online e-register of designs.
These reforms collectively reflect a shift toward transparency, accessibility, and efficiency.
Startups and Innovation Support
A noteworthy highlight is the continued impact of the Start-Ups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) scheme. The 2021 amendments to the Design Rules formally recognize Start-Ups as a separate applicant category, reducing procedural and cost barriers.
By March 2024:
- 657 facilitators were registered under SIPP to assist innovators with IP protection.
- Fees for Start-Ups and Small Entities were aligned with those applicable to natural persons.
These changes encourage broader participation in IP registration, particularly from early-stage innovators.
657 facilitators is meaningful, yet India hosts over 95,000 DPIIT-recognised start-ups. The relatively low facilitator-to-start-up ratio suggests an awareness and outreach gap, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Scaling targeted training and regional workshops could dramatically expand uptake of design protection at the grassroots level.
Application and Registration Trends
The 2023–24 report reflects a strong year for design filings. A 33.88% rise was recorded in design applications—from 22,698 in 2022–23 to 30,389 in 2023–24. Registrations and disposals also grew by 31.06% and 37.80%, respectively
India accounted for approximately 87% of all design filings in 2023–24. Of the total 30,670 registered designs:
- 25,911 were of Indian origin
- 4,759 were foreign-origin registrations
Top Indian Filing States:
- Maharashtra: 5,230 filings | 5,108 registrations
- Tamil Nadu: 3,261 filings | 2,814 registrations
- Delhi: 3,088 filings | 3,123 registrations
This underscores the geographical spread of design innovation, with Maharashtra retaining the top spot.
Top Indian Filers:
- Sabyasachi Calcutta LLP – 1,067
- Euphoric Innovations Pvt. Ltd. – 844
- Hero MotoCorp Ltd. – 422
- Apala – 268
- Havells India Ltd. – 236
Top Foreign Filers: The US led with the maximum number of applications (1,137), followed by Germany (362) at second position and China (301) at third position.
- Kohler Co. – 127
- Samsung Electronics – 113
- Koninklijke Philips – 87
- Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II – 73
- Porsche AG – 70
According to Classification: For Indian applicants, maximum number of design applications were filed under class 02 (Articles of clothing & haberdashery); whereas for foreign applicants, maximum number of design applications were filed under class 12 (Means of transport or hoisting). For Indian applicants, maximum number of design applications were registered under class 02, whereas for foreign applicants, maximum number of design applications were registered under class 24 (Medical and Laboratory Equipment).
Examination and Renewals
During the year:
- 29,635 design applications were examined.
- 14,017 received First Examination Reports (FER).
- 1,407 applications were refused; 854 were abandoned.
- 2,584 applications were filed for copyright extension; 958 designs were successfully renewed.
A refusal rate below 5 % looks healthy, yet abandonments plus refusals mean roughly 8.5 % of examined cases exit without protection. This may signal applicant inexperience or post-FER cost hurdles. Moreover, only 37 % of extension requests were finalised in the year, hinting at a back-end processing bottleneck that could erode long-term portfolio certainty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Annual Report 2023-2024 presents a comprehensive picture of design-related intellectual property activity in India. The data indicates a robust level of filing and registration, with a significant contribution from domestic applicants, particularly from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi. Key industries, as reflected in the top applicant categories and design classifications, include clothing, medical and laboratory equipment, and transportation. Foreign interest in the Indian design landscape remains significant, with the U.S.A. and Germany being prominent in both filing and registration. The overall increase in applications, registrations, and revenue suggests a growing awareness and utilization of design protection mechanisms in India. The detailed statistics on various proceedings highlight the administrative activities of the Indian patent and design office in managing and enforcing design protection rights.
To convert volume into value, the Designs Office should now:
- Deepen examiner expertise in emerging tech and digital-interface design.
- Publish granular disposal-time metrics for full-lifecycle transparency.
- Strengthen outreach so under-served regions and smaller start-ups tap into SIPP resources.
Sustained focus on these priorities will help India’s design-protection regime mature from a fast-growing registry into a globally trusted engine of industrial creativity.