New Guidelines incorporate provisions for AI, ML, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, and other emerging technologies

A major step towards transparency, uniformity, and innovation in India’s patent ecosystem

The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has released the Revised Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions (CRIs), 2025. The new guidelines aim to enhance clarity, consistency, and predictability in the examination of CRIs, while aligning India's patenting practices with global standards. This has been done in response to the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The revised guidelines incorporate key considerations for inventions related to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Cloud Computing, Quantum Computing, and Blockchain.

Key highlights of the revised CRI Guidelines, 2025 include:

• Inclusion of a detailed chapter on jurisprudence elaborating the nuances of CRIs;
• Step-wise assessment methodology for Section 3(k) of the Patents Act, supported by multiple examples;
• Flowcharts to assist stakeholders, including IPO officials, in understanding the assessment process under Section 3(k);
• A Comprehensive Chapter on Examination of Inventions related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), Blockchain, Quantum Computing, with scenario based examples, sufficiency of disclosure requirements and aspect(s) which may take it out of the purview of exclusion under section 3(k),
• An annexure comprising an indicative list of 40 additional examples—apart from the 20 examples in the main body—illustrating allowable and non-allowable claims under Section 3(k).

The Draft Guidelines for Examination of CRIs, 2025 (Version 1.0) were published on 25th March 2025, followed by a structured stakeholder consultation process held across all four Patent Office locations—Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Based on the feedback received, the Revised Draft Guidelines for Examination of CRIs, 2025 version 2.0 was published on 26th June 2025 for further comments. After careful consideration and deliberation of stakeholder suggestions, the final revised guidelines have now been notified.

The revised guidelines are intended to bring uniformity and transparency to CRI examination practices and will help streamline the decision-making process within the Indian patent ecosystem. The document also includes subject-specific examples aligned with prevailing jurisprudence to assist in effective resolution of patentability challenges.

Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit, stated that the revised guidelines will serve as a crucial reference for inventors and officials alike, particularly in navigating the patentability of AI-implemented and other disruptive technology-based inventions.

The notified guidelines are now available on the official website of the CGPDTM at www.ipindia.gov.in. In line with the commitment to transparent and collaborative decision-making, a compilation of the feedback received on both draft versions, along with summaries of in-person consultations held across the four locations, has also been published.

The Office of the CGPDTM extends its gratitude to all stakeholders for their active participation and valuable contributions throughout the consultation process.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas

Patentability of AI implemented and other computer related inventions clarified through structured Section 3(k) assessment and illustrative examples. The patents office released Revised Guidelines for Examination of Computer Related Inventions, 2025, introducing a structured framework including a jurisprudence chapter, a step-wise assessment methodology for Section 3(k) with flowcharts and worked examples, and a comprehensive chapter on AI/ML/DL, Blockchain and Quantum Computing that addresses sufficiency of disclosure and features that may remove inventions from exclusion; an annexure adds further illustrative examples and consultation summaries are published alongside the final guidelines.