He said steps taken by the department has helped to substantially improve the IPR regime of the country.
“We have created capacities in our IP offices. Hundred examiners of patents (were hired). We added 450 more and now we are adding another 220 plus,” he said here at the international conference on IPR, organised by industry body CII.
Abhishek also said that the processes have been re-engineered and introduced use of technologies for grant and examination of patent, and trademark applications.
“Patent examination of applications which used to take 5-7 years earlier, we are hoping to bring it down to 18 months by end of next year or definitely by March 2020,” he added.