Forms Required for Patent Filing
| Form | Purpose | Who Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Form 1 | Application for Grant of Patent (main form) | Inventor / Applicant |
| Form 2 | Patent Specification (provisional or complete) | Patent Agent / Inventor |
| Form 5 | Declaration as to Inventorship | All inventors |
| Form 18 / 18A | Request for Examination (ordinary / expedited) | Applicant / Patent Agent |
| Form 26 | Authorization / Power of Attorney to Patent Agent | Applicant |
| Form 3 | Statement regarding foreign filing and foreign applications | Applicant (if filing abroad too) |
Government Fee Schedule (Individual / Startup)
| Action | Individual / Startup / Small Entity | Large Entity |
|---|---|---|
| Filing provisional/complete application | Rs. 1,600 | Rs. 8,000 |
| Request for Examination (Form 18) | Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 20,000 |
| Expedited Examination (Form 18A) | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 40,000 |
| Annual renewal (Year 3–20) | Rs. 800–4,800 (increasing) | Rs. 4,000–24,000 (increasing) |
Individuals, educational institutions, startups and small entities (MSME) qualify for the 80% reduced fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I file a provisional or complete application first?
File a provisional application if your invention is still being refined or if you need to present it at a conference, publish a paper, or disclose it to investors — any of these activities without a prior filing would destroy novelty. The provisional filing secures your priority date immediately. You then have 12 months to finalize the invention and file the complete specification. If your invention is fully developed and you are ready to file complete claims, file the complete specification directly to save time.
When must the Request for Examination be filed?
The Request for Examination (Form 18) must be filed within 48 months from the earliest priority date (or filing date if no priority). If not filed within this period, the application is treated as withdrawn. We recommend filing Form 18 at the time of filing the complete specification or soon after to start the examination process — especially if you want to use the expedited examination option (Form 18A) to get a faster grant.
File Your Patent at the Chennai Patent Office
From drafting to filing to examination responses — our patent attorneys handle the complete prosecution of your application with the Indian Patent Office. Protect your invention for 20 years.