What an Indian Patent Application Should Contain ?
- January 13, 2025
- Posted by: Patntech
- Category: Patents

A well-prepared patent application is crucial for obtaining legal protection for your invention. To ensure a smooth patent review process, your patent application must comply with both technical and legal requirements. This article provides a comprehensive guide on what an Indian patent application should contain to help inventors secure their intellectual property rights.
1. Title of the Invention
The title of your patent application should be concise, providing a clear idea of the invention’s purpose or functionality. The Title should be within 15 words to ensure brevity. Care must be taken to avoid vague phrases or marketing terms.
2. Abstract
The abstract provides a brief summary of the invention and should be within 150 words. The abstract offers a quick overview of the invention to examiners and the public to understand the invention’s scope and purpose. The abstract should specify the technical field of the invention, and a concise description of the problem the invention solves. The key features and advantages may also be included in the abstract.
3. Complete Specification
The specification forms the heart of the patent application and includes comprehensive details of the invention. The specification is divided into several sub-sections:
- Field of the Invention: Describes the technical domain of the invention. The field of invention is provided for patent office to categorise and assign the patent application to an examiner with domain expertise.
- Background of the Invention: Explains the problem or limitations in existing technology that your invention addresses.
- Summary of the Invention: The Summary provides an overview of the invention and how the invention solves problem(s) identified in the prior art. The Summary section may be used to discuss the advantages of the invention over the prior art.
- Detailed Description: The detailed description section of a patent application provides a comprehensive explanation of the invention. It provides enough detail to enable someone skilled in the relevant field (referred to as a person having ordinary skill in the art or PHOSITA) to understand and replicate the invention without undue experimentation. This section is crucial for demonstrating how the invention works and establishing the foundation for the claims. In other words, the detailed description section includes a step-by-step explanation of the invention, often supported by drawings/diagrams, or flowcharts.
4. Claims
Claims are the most crucial part of a patent application. The claims define the legal boundaries of the protection, specifying what aspects of the invention are protected from unauthorized use. Each claim outlines a specific aspect of the invention and must be precise and unambiguous. Typically, each claim is written in a single sentence.
- Types of claims:
- Independent Claims: Broadly describe the invention’s essential features. The independent claims stand alone and define the core invention for which protection is sought.
- Dependent Claims: The dependent claims are built upon an independent claim. The dependent claims add additional limitations or features to the independent claim.
5. Drawings
While the drawings are not mandatory for patent application, it is preferrable to have drawings/diagrams as they enhance clarity and help illustrate your invention effectively. It is recommended to provide multiple views to fully depict the invention. The drawings should contain labels for the components of the invention. The drawings need not be drawn to scale, but must have consistent and clear numbering to reference the specification.
6. Sequence Listing (if applicable)
If your invention involves biological material, such as DNA, RNA, or amino acid sequences, a sequence listing must be included. This listing follows a specific format mandated by the Indian Patent Office to ensure clarity and consistency.
7. Documents required for filing patent application in India
In addition to the above technical sections, the patent application shall be accompanied by:
- Form 1: The application form containing basic details like the applicant’s name, inventors names, address, and contact information.
- Form 2: A detailed specification document.
- Form 3: A statement regarding the foreign filing.
- Form 5: A declaration of inventorship.
- Form 18: Request for examination.
- Form 9: Request for early publication (optional).
- Form 26: Power of Attorney, if filing through a patent agent.
8. Provisional Specification (Optional)
If the invention is not fully developed, a provisional specification can be filed to secure a priority date. The provisional specification must include a detailed description of the invention and supporting sketches or preliminary designs (if applicable). We have written an article provisional application, which can be accessed from here (Provisional Patent Application).
9. Signature and Fees
The application must be signed by the applicant or their authorized agent, and the applicable government fees must be paid.
PatnTech: Your Trusted Partner for Filing Patent Applications in India
Drafting a patent application requires technical expertise and a deep understanding of patent laws. At PatnTech, we specialize in helping inventors create comprehensive and legally robust patent applications. Whether you’re filing in India or other countries, our team ensures your application meets all requirements and maximizes your invention’s protection.
We provide end-to-end support, including:
- Drafting patent specifications and claims.
- Filing patent applications in India and abroad.
- Responding to examination reports and maintaining granted patents.
For expert guidance on patent applications in India, trust PatnTech to safeguard your intellectual property.