Patent Office Revamps CRI Rules for 2025
New Delhi: The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has unveiled the Revised Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (CRIs), 2025, marking a significant step toward modernising India’s patent ecosystem. Released yesterday, these guidelines aim to enhance clarity, consistency, and predictability in evaluating patent applications for emerging technologies, aligning India’s practices with global standards.
The updated guidelines address the complexities of rapidly evolving fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Cloud Computing, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain. They provide a structured framework to assess patentability under Section 3(k) of the Patents Act, which governs the eligibility of computer-related inventions.
Key features of the 2025 guidelines include a detailed chapter on CRI jurisprudence, a step-by-step methodology for evaluating inventions under Section 3(k), and flowcharts to guide Indian Patent Office (IPO) officials and stakeholders through the assessment process. A dedicated chapter focuses on AI, ML, DL, Blockchain, and Quantum Computing, offering scenario-based examples, disclosure requirements, and criteria to determine patent eligibility. Additionally, an annexure with 40 illustrative examples—complementing 20 examples in the main document—clarifies allowable and non-allowable claims under Section 3(k).
The guidelines were developed through a transparent and collaborative process. The initial draft, published on March 25, 2025, was followed by stakeholder consultations across Patent Office locations in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. A revised draft, released on June 26, 2025, incorporated feedback from these discussions. After further refinements based on stakeholder inputs, the final guidelines were notified and are now accessible on the CGPDTM website, www.ipindia.gov.in. A compilation of feedback and summaries of the consultations has also been made public, underscoring the commitment to transparency.
Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit emphasised the guidelines’ role in supporting inventors and officials navigating the patentability of AI-driven and other disruptive technologies. “These guidelines will serve as a vital tool for fostering innovation while ensuring uniformity in our patent examination process,” he said.
The CGPDTM expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their active participation, noting that their contributions were instrumental in shaping the final document. The revised guidelines are expected to streamline decision-making, enhance transparency, and bolster India’s position as a hub for technological innovation.
– global bihari bureau
