The Ministry of Ayush and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade released a new report showing that patent activity in India’s traditional medicine and wellness sector has grown dramatically over the past twelve years. Between FY 2014–15 and FY 2025–26, India recorded 4,077 patent applications related to Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy and other Ayush systems, with 711 patents granted so far. This eightfold increase in filings reflects growing research interest and commercial investment in these traditional knowledge systems.
Key facts
- Total patent applications filed: 4,077 (FY 2014–15 to FY 2025–26)
- Total patents granted: 711
- Patent filings in FY 2014–15: 63 applications
- Patent filings in FY 2025–26: 590 applications (growth of 836.5%)
- Peak year for filings: FY 2022–23 with 606 applications
- Post-COVID filings (FY 2020–21 to FY 2025–26): 2,854 applications (70% of total)
- Post-COVID patents granted: 657 (92.4% of total)
- Maharashtra leads with 744 filings and 142 patent grants
- Report released during celebrations of 11th Ayurveda Day
- Published by: Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
What the numbers tell us
The report, titled Status Report on Ayush Related Inventions in India (2014–2026), documents a transformation in how India’s traditional medicine systems are being treated in terms of intellectual property. While annual filings stood at just 63 in the first year measured, they had grown to 590 by FY 2025–26. The trajectory was not entirely smooth: filings peaked at 606 in FY 2022–23, dipped to 299 in FY 2023–24, then recovered to 590.
The data shows that patent grants have also accelerated. Only three patents were awarded in FY 2015–16, but this rose to 204 by FY 2023–24. The post-COVID period, from FY 2020–21 onwards, has been particularly significant, accounting for 70 per cent of all filings and over 92 per cent of all patents granted.
Who is filing these patents
The innovation is coming from a broad range of actors in India’s traditional medicine sector. Individual inventors and natural persons filed 2,113 applications, or about 52 per cent of the total, and received 398 patents. Educational institutions contributed 995 applications and were granted 88 patents. Together, these two groups account for over 76 per cent of all Ayush-related patent filings.
Corporate entities and other organisations filed 700 applications and received 176 patents. Small entities and startups, still emerging players, contributed 144 and 125 filings respectively. This diversity of filers shows that Ayush innovation is not concentrated in large established companies but is distributed across universities, individual researchers, small startups and businesses of various sizes.
Geographic concentration
Maharashtra leads in Ayush-related patent activity, with 744 patent applications filed and 142 patents granted. This indicates that the state has become a hub for research and innovation in traditional medicine systems.
Why this matters
The rise in Ayush patents reflects two important trends. First, there is growing scientific interest in validating and improving traditional medicine formulations and practices. Second, innovators are increasingly seeking intellectual property protection for their work in these sectors, which suggests commercial viability and investment confidence.
For India, protecting and promoting Ayush-related intellectual property is strategically important. It allows traditional knowledge to be safeguarded through modern legal mechanisms, enables researchers and businesses to commercialise innovations, and helps ensure that India’s knowledge systems contribute to global health and wellness markets.
The Ministry of Ayush has stated its commitment to supporting evidence generation, research collaboration and innovation across the sector. This suggests continued policy support for researchers and entrepreneurs working in traditional medicine.
What this means for you
If you are a researcher, entrepreneur or student in the Ayush field, the data shows a growing ecosystem of innovation and commercial opportunity. Universities and individual inventors are already participating actively. Startups and small entities have also begun filing patents, indicating that entry barriers are not prohibitive. The post-COVID surge suggests the sector remains dynamic and supported by government policy.
For those seeking traditional medicine products or treatments, the increase in patent activity and scientific validation suggests that more evidence-based and standardised offerings may emerge in the market in coming years.