Intellectual Property Right Scheme Under MSME Innovative Scheme
Ministry of MSME · Central government
This scheme reimburses IP filing fees—patents, trademarks, GIs, designs—for eligible MSMEs.
Open, rolling. Applications are accepted continuously — there is no deadline.
Key facts
- Subsidy amount
- ₹15,000 – ₹5,00,000
- Instrument
- Subsidy
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Disbursement
- Reimbursed after spend
About this scheme
The Intellectual Property Right Scheme functions within the broader MSME Innovative Scheme, which is administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. Its purpose is to strengthen India’s innovation landscape by enabling Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to protect and utilise their intellectual property (IP). The scheme extends legal and filing assistance for patents, trademarks, copyrights, designs, and geographical indications (GI).
A nationwide network of Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) forms the backbone of this initiative. These centres deliver IP advisory services, consultations, patentability searches, technology gap analyses, and guidance on commercialising IP. The objective is to encourage a culture of innovation among Indian MSMEs, helping them safeguard their work and convert knowledge-based strategies into measurable economic returns.
The government provides a grant of up to ₹1,00,00,000 per centre to establish these IPFCs. This funding is allocated to the institutions operating the centres, not to individual MSMEs, and serves as the base for the reimbursement mechanism.
Who can apply
- Eligible business forms
- Private limited company, Limited liability partnership, One person company, Partnership firm, Sole proprietorship
- Udyam registration
- Not specified
- MSME registration
- Required
- DPIIT startup recognition
- Not specified
- GST registration
- Not specified
- Where the business may be based
- Not restricted
- The beneficiary unit must be a registered Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise. - It must hold a valid Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum (UAM) or Udyam Registration certificate.
How to apply
The application process for the Intellectual Property Right Scheme is fully online.
- Go to the official MSME Innovative Scheme portal at https://innovative.msme.gov.in/. - Select the "Design" section or the applicant flow that corresponds to IP registration. - Enter your valid Udyam Registration Number and the registered mobile number linked to your MSME. - Click "Validate" to continue. - Complete the remaining fields in the application form as directed on screen, supplying all required information and uploading supporting documents, including your Udyam Registration certificate. - Verify that all details are correct before submitting. Once submitted successfully, you will receive a confirmation, and the application will be routed through the designated Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) for processing.
How applications are assessed
For a reimbursement scheme, the process centres on verifying eligibility and the validity of the IP filing rather than a competitive selection. Online applications are reviewed by the Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) to check compliance with scheme guidelines and the authenticity of the IP registration documents.
Reimbursement is processed once the registration and associated costs are successfully verified. Claims are typically settled on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of allocated budgets.
Frequently asked questions
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
Intellectual property (IP) covers creations of the mind, including inventions, literary and artistic works, and the symbols, names, images, and designs used in trade.
What are the types of Intellectual Property Rights?
Patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, and trade secrets are the recognised categories. Patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and geographical indications together form what is known as industrial property.
What is a patent?
A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which may be a product or process that offers a new way of doing something or a new technical solution to a problem, provided it meets patentability conditions.
What are the benefits of patent registration?
A patent grants the exclusive right to use or exploit the invention for 20 years from the filing date, which strengthens market position by preventing others from commercial use. It also enables higher returns on investment, the option to license or sell the invention, and a positive enterprise image.
What is Copyright?
Copyright grants creators of literary and artistic works—such as novels, poems, plays, newspapers, computer programs, databases, films, music, paintings, photographs, architecture, maps, and technical drawings—exclusive legal rights. Protection generally lasts for the author’s lifetime plus 60 years, except for photographs, which have a different term.
What is a Trademark?
A trademark is a distinctive sign that identifies goods or services as originating from a specific person or enterprise.
How to apply for the Patent/GI/Trademark/Design reimbursement?
Apply online through the IPR portal at https://innovative.msme.gov.in/Home/IprIndex.
Is there a centre to support counselling/drafting/filing of IP rights?
Yes. The Ministry of MSME has established Intellectual Property Facilitation Centres (IPFCs) for this purpose, and these centres also process the reimbursement benefits.
What documents are required for the application?
Applicants need to submit their Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum (UAM) or Udyam Registration (UR) certificate, and the mobile number registered with UAM for verification.
Sectors
- Intellectual Property
- Patent
- Trademark
- Msme
- Subsidy
- Reimbursement
- Innovation
Details last verified on 3 August 2026. Source: the issuer's published information.