In fiscal year 2025-26, India achieved a historic milestone with 143,729 patent filings, reflecting a 30.2% increase from 110,375 in FY 2024-25, according to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. This surge indicates a robust growth trend in innovation, as patent applications have more than doubled from under 50,000 in FY 2015-16. Notably, domestic filings comprised 99,721 patents, accounting for 69.4% of the total, underscoring the contributions of startups, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and academic institutions. Tamil Nadu led the states in patent filings, followed closely by Karnataka and Maharashtra. Goyal emphasized India's rising global stature as the 6th largest patent filer, a development supported by initiatives such as Startup India and a focus on research and digital innovation. This consistent growth over five years highlights India's commitment to strengthening its intellectual property ecosystem and establishing itself as a hub for innovation and technology-driven growth.