ASIA and SRM School of Law convene experts for the South India release of the State of Intellectual Property in India report
How can India translate the growth of its intellectual property system into greater innovation, technological advancement and economic resilience?
As India strengthens its position in the global innovation landscape, understanding the performance of its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem is essential. Beyond counting patents, trademarks and other registered rights, it is important to examine how effectively the system supports research, enables commercialisation, fosters competition and creates economic value. A key highlight of the event will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA) at Sanrachna Foundation and SRM School of Law, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST).
The Advanced Study Institute of Asia (ASIA) is pleased to announce the South India release of State of Intellectual Property in India: A Five-Year Audit of the Indian Intellectual Property System, 2020–21 to 2024–25, with a Reform Agenda for 2026–2031. Authored by Shivani Singh and Sonal Lalwani and published by Manohar Publishers & Distributors, the report offers an evidence-based assessment of India’s evolving IP landscape and identifies priorities for the next phase of reform.
The event is organised by SRM School of Law, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), in association with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (O/o CGPDTM) and ASIA.
From IP growth to innovation outcomes
Spanning 15 chapters, the report examines India’s intellectual property ecosystem across patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyright, courts, strategic technologies, international treaties and innovation outcomes. It brings together evidence to assess the progress of the IP system, identify persistent challenges and inform a forward-looking reform agenda for 2026–2031.
The discussion will explore questions central to India’s innovation future:
- How can India strengthen the conversion of research and inventions into commercially valuable intellectual property?
- What institutional and policy reforms could improve the effectiveness of the IP system?
- How should intellectual property frameworks respond to emerging and strategic technologies?
- How can India balance innovation incentives, competition and wider economic development?
Making IP evidence accessible
Complementing the report, the ASIA Open Data Platform will provide chapter-wise Excel datasets, enabling researchers, journalists, legal practitioners and policymakers to access, verify, reuse and build upon the data underpinning the research.
By making the evidence more accessible, the initiative seeks to support informed public debate, independent analysis and evidence-based policymaking on intellectual property in India.
Panel discussion: Shaping India’s Intellectual Property Landscape
The programme will feature the formal release of the report, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SRM School of Law, SRMIST and ASIA, and a panel discussion titled “Shaping India’s Intellectual Property Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities.”
The discussion will bring together distinguished representatives from academia, government, legal practice, research and innovation to examine the challenges facing India’s IP ecosystem and identify opportunities for strengthening its institutional and economic foundations.
Distinguished participants
- Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit — Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM), Government of India
- Prof. (Dr.) Murthy Y. S. R. — Pro-Vice-Chancellor, SRM School of Law, SRMIST
- Prof. (Dr.) Indranath Gupta — Dean, SRM School of Law, SRMIST
- Prof. Amogh Dev Rai — Research Director, Advanced Study Institute of Asia
- Prem Chandar — Partner and Chennai Head, Anand and Anand
- Dr. Shantanu Patil — Director, Directorate of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, SRMIST
Programme Convenor: Prof. (Dr.) Annamma Samuel, Assistant Dean (Research), SRM School of Law, SRMIST.
Coordinating Team: Dr. Udhaya Karthika and Dr. Suganya Sundaramoorthy, Assistant Professors, SRM School of Law, SRMIST.
Event details
Date: 23 October 2026
Time: 11:00 AM–12:30 PM IST
Venue: Valliammai Hall, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Tamil Nadu, India.
Advancing the conversation on India’s innovation future
A robust intellectual property ecosystem is not defined by registrations alone. Its wider significance lies in its ability to support research, encourage technological development, enable fair competition and translate knowledge into meaningful economic and social outcomes.
Through this report and its associated data resources, ASIA seeks to contribute to a more evidence-driven understanding of India’s IP system and the reforms needed to strengthen it.
The South India release marks an opportunity to bring research, policy and practice into conversation—and to advance a shared agenda for an intellectual property ecosystem that is effective, inclusive and responsive to India’s innovation ambitions.