Lok Sabha Question No. 4223 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Intellectual Property Right Awareness Programmes
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Thiru Arun Nehru

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4223.

TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 19 TH  AUGUST, 2025.

## INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

## 4223.  THIRU ARUN NEHRU:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the  data  on  the  number  of  startups  or  MSMEs  that  have  commercialised indigenous knowledge under DPIIT-supported schemes since 2020, State and year-wise;
- (b) the data on the number of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) awareness and outreach programmes focused on indigenous communities under DPIIT or the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) have been conducted since 2020, State and year-wise;
- (c) the details of the steps that have been taken by the Government to protect indigenous knowledge and traditional knowledge systems under existing IPR frameworks administered by DPIIT;
- (d) the details of the steps that have been taken by the Government to facilitate the registration  of  Geographical  Indications  (GIs)  for  indigenous  products  and ensure community benefits; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  launch  a  National  Indigenous Knowledge  Protection  and  Commercialisation  Policy  under  DPIIT's  IPR strategy, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a): The  data  on  the  number  of  startups/MSME  that  have  commercialised indigenous knowledge under DPIIT-supported schemes is not maintained by Department .

However, it is informed that since the launch of the Startup India initiative, the number  of  entities  recognized  as  startups  by  Department  for  Promotion  of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is 1,80,683 as on 30th June 2025.

- (b): No specific  IPR  awareness  programmes are  organised  by  CIPAM  or  DPIIT focusing  only  on  indigenous  communities.  The  details  of  IPR  awareness programmes organised by CIPAM over the years is enclosed as Annexure 1.
- (c): The  Government  has  taken  key  steps  to  protect  indigenous  and  traditional knowledge under the IPR framework administered by DPIIT:
-  Non-patentability  under  Section  3(p)  of  the  Patents  Act,  1970 : Inventions  based  on  traditional  knowledge  or  duplications  of  known properties are not patentable.
-  Defensive  Protection  and  Legal  Interventions  through  Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) : Established in 2001 by CSIR. TKDL documents over 5.2 lakh formulations and practices from Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha,  Sowa  Rigpa,  and  Yoga.TKDL  acts  as  a  prior  art  database  to prevent patenting of traditional knowledge and supports patent examiners with evidence.TKDL evidence is used in pre-grant oppositions and thirdparty  observations  to  challenge  patent  applications  lacking  novelty  or inventive step.
-  Institutional  Support :  National  Institute  of  Ayurveda  (NIA),  Jaipur,  has implemented dedicated IPR policies and a dedicated IPR Chairs has also been approved under DPIIT provisions.
-  Capacity  Building :  Rashtriya  Ayurveda  Vidyapeeth  (RAV),  Ministry  of Ayush, organizes regular IPR training workshops, aimed at sensitizing and empowering Ayush professionals and entrepreneurs on IP protection and commercialization.
-  Guidelines  for  AYUSH  related  inventions have  been  introduced  for better guidance of applicants seeking for Patent protection for inventions in the Ayush sector.
- (d): Granting GI status to a product is guided by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 and Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration  &  Protection)  Rules,  2002.  An  application  for  registration  of  a product as GI has to be made by any association of persons, producers, organizations, or authorities established by or under the law representing the interest of producers of GI. The applicant has to comply with requirements and submit necessary documents as per GI Act & Rules for a product to qualify and be registered as a GI. However, the government is taking various initiative through  awareness  and  promotion  of  GI  tagged  products  encouraging  the community  to  file  for  GI  tag  for  their  traditional  products  ( list  enclosed  as Annexure III). As a result, the annual  application filing for GIs has risen from 47 in 2014-15 to 275 in 2024-25 . Details of registered GI products is available on DPIIT's website under the link -

https://dpiit.gov.in/sites/default/files/Details\_GIProducts\_18August2025.pdf.

- (e): No such proposal is under consideration of this department.

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ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 4223 FOR ANSWER ON 19.08.2025.

Number of awareness programmes focused on IPR awareness under CIPAM, DPIIT:

| Target Group                                                   |   No. of Programmes |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
| Academic Institutions (Schools, Colleges, Universities, TISCs) |                 466 |
| Industry including MSMEs and Start-ups                         |                 403 |
| Enforcement Agencies and Judiciary                             |                 140 |

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## ANNEXURE-III

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (d)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION 4223 FOR ANSWER ON 19.08.2025.

|   S. No. | Year    | Event                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|----------|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2022-23 | Awareness initiatives on Geographical Indications: Advertising and Publicity Professional Services                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|        2 | 2022-23 | Awareness workshop (26 th Apr'22):  A one-day awareness workshop conducted in Kalsi, Dehradun in collaboration with IIT Roorkee for several local artisans to create awareness on GI                                                                                                                                       |
|        3 | 2022-23 | World Intellectual Property Day 2022(26 th Apr'22):  DPIIT conducted 'National Photography Contest' on theme capturing various aspects of Geographical Indications and their uniqueness, diversity, & artistry                                                                                                             |
|        4 | 2022-23 | India GI fair (26 th -28 th Aug'22):  3-day event was organized at the India Expo Center & Mart, Greater Noida                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|        5 | 2022-23 | GI Mahotsav (16 th -21 st Oct'22):  A weekly event was conducted at Trade facilitation Center, Varanasi  Various knowledge sessions were organized for the GI holders with DPIIT officials                                                                                                                                |
|        6 | 2022-23 | Exclusive GI pavilion (14 th -27 th Nov'22):  Exclusive GI pavilion was set up at IITF 2022 which was organized by ITPO at Pragati Maidan                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|        7 | 2022-23 |  To popularize GIs of India, 17 promotional videos covering various Indian GIs were prepared in collaboration with TV History 18 Aired videos on various channels of TV History 18 network such as History TV18 -SD, History TV18 - HD                                                                                     |
|        8 | 2022-23 | Social media campaign on GIs:  DPIIT undertook a social media campaign to promote India's GIs  'Gift a GI' campaign launched during festive seasons to encourage purchase of GI products  'Spot the GI' launched to spread awareness on GIs through interesting factoids CIPAM ran a campaign on 'Winter GI Accessories' |
|        9 | 2022-23 | GI Pavilion (14 th -18 th Mar'23):  DPIIT has set up a 'GI Pavilion' for 55 GI registered products at AAHAR 2023 at Pragati Maidan  The 37th International food & hospitality fair themed 'Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India' shows Participation of women entrepreneurs/artisans                                  |
|       10 | 2023-24 | Engagement with States & UTs:  State Governments and Administration of Union Territories are currently hosting events to create awareness about GIs amongst both consumers & producers Assisting in capacity building and hand-holding of respective GI producers and facilitate sale & marketing of GIs                   |

|   11 | 2023-24   | EPCH GI Fair India (20 th -24 th Jul'23): 2nd edition of GI Fair India 2023' at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   12 | 2023-24   | Radio Mirchi (17 th -31 st Aug'23): Promotion of GI by Radio Mirchi Brewery was held for 15 days                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|   13 | 2023-24   | UPInternational Trade Show (21 st -25 th Sep'23): UP International Trade Show at Indian Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|   14 | 2023-24   | GI Mahotsav at Srinagar (2 nd -8 th Oct'23): A weeklong GI Mahotsav at Srinagar as part of initiative for promotion of GI                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|   15 | 2023-24   | GI Startup Challenge (29 th Dec'23-20 th Feb'24) : DPIIT in collaboration with Startup India had conducted GI Startup Grand Challenge on the Startup India portal to identify innovative solutions through start-ups for challenges within the GI ecosystem                                                              |
|   16 | 2023-24   | Promotion of GI by India Today: DPIIT in collaboration with India Today Published GI related articles in three phases for promotion of GIs                                                                                                                                                                               |
|   17 | 2023-24   | Promotion of GI by National Geographic: DPIIT in collaboration with National Geographic Channel launched GI-based videos which included Production, Airing, Marketing and Licensing of 5 Documentary Films (8-10 mins) on GI Tagged Products in India and SAARC Markets                                                  |
|   18 | 2023-24   | 5-day International Hackathon at Kolkata (8 th -12 th Mar'24): West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WB NUJS) conducted International Conference on Hackathon on Geographical Indication and related Traditional Knowledge Cultural Expressions                                                         |
|   19 | 2024-25   | GI Catalyst (12 th July 2024) The 'GI Catalyst: Insight to Impact Summit', was held at Yashobhoomi on 12 th July 2024. This pivotal event, graced by senior officials from various ministries, focuses on enhancing India's GI Ecosystem through convergence and collaboration, promoting our rich culture and heritage. |
|   20 | 2024-25   | Promotion of GI on Indian Airlines (Mar-Jul'24) A total of 12 articles covering GI products from various parts of the country were published in inflight magazines of leading airlines such as Vistara, Air India, SpiceJet and Indigo (3 articles per airline).                                                         |
|   21 | 2024-25   | GI-themed wedding videos by Outlook magazine: Promotion of GI products in collaboration with Outlook Group to leverage its multiple platforms to showcase documentaries on the geographical indications (GIs) of India through the concept of the "Weds in India" campaign.                                              |
|   22 | 2024-25   | Autumn Fair International at Birmingham (1 st -4 th Sep'24): EPCH with the approval and financial support from DPIIT, organised Indian GI Pavilion with Participation & Live Demonstration by GI producers in Autumn Fair International 2024 in Birmingham, United Kingdom                                               |

|   23 | 2024-25   | Bazaar Berlin 2024(6 th -10 th Nov'24): DPIIT in association with Invest India organised India's GI Products at Bazaar Berlin 2024 at Berlin Fairground (Expo Center City) in Germany                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   24 | 2024-25   | Promotion of GI by National Geographic (Season 2):  After successfully airing Season 1 of 'GI Tag in India, Promotion of GI through Season 2, a 60-minute film narrated by Shekhar Kapoor, focusing on the success story of a GI product shop owner.  Broadcast on National Geographic Channel India (SD and HD) & in SAARC Countries in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Kannada languages.  Additionally, on YouTube.                                                                               |
|   25 | 2024-25   | Promotion through Entire Season 9 of MasterChef India: DPIIT has partnered with MasterChef India Season 9 on SonyLIV to promote Geographical Indications (GI). Through this collaboration, DPIIT aims to showcase India's rich culinary heritage by integrating GI-tagged products into the season's storyline, leveraging the wide reach and popularity of the show.                                                                                                                                               |
|   26 | 2024-25   | GI promotional activities in Delhi Metro: Undertaking GI promotional activities through Display Boards inside Delhi Metro coaches                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|   27 | 2024-25   | GI promotional activities at airport by Orango and TIME: Performing GI promotional activities through Digital Screens, Digital Display Boards, Hoarding etc. at Srinagar, Udaipur, Varanasi, Delhi and Mumbai Airport                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|   28 | 2024-25   | GI promotional activities at the Delhi airport: Setting up stores dedicated to the sale of GI products in association with the Central Cottage Industries Corporation Limited                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|   29 | 2024-25   | Gl Samagam at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi: Considering the importance of Geographical Indications and its enormous growth potential, DPIIT has organised "Gl Samagam" on 22.01.2025. The event has brought together key stakeholders, Ministries/Departments, User Departments of Central and State Governments, Policy Makers, Industry Leaders, Artisans, Producers etc., across the Gl ecosystem in India on a single platform to exchange ideas and deliberate upon the future growth and development of the sector. |

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