By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, February 5, 2026: National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has carved out a niche for itself by filing 230 patents, comprising 218 national and 12 international filings. Out of these, 101 patents have been granted, including 97 national and 4 international patents. To support its faculty in filing patents to protect and secure their innovations and technologies, NIT Rourkela’s Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) serves as a comprehensive platform for intellectual property development.

Describing it as a significant milestone for the institute’s research and innovation ecosystem, NIT Rourkela director, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, said, “Surpassing 100 granted patents marks a significant milestone in NIT Rourkela’s journey toward building a strong culture of research, innovation, and intellectual property creation. With over 230 patents filed and 101 granted to date, our growing portfolio reflects impactful work across priority areas such as AI-driven technologies, sustainable materials, healthcare and biomedical solutions, semiconductors, and water research. With 91 patent applications filed in 2025 alone, we are accelerating our efforts to strengthen an innovation-driven ecosystem and aim to double the number of granted patents in the coming year, contributing meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

Considering the time typically required for patent examination and approval, the impact of the 2025 filing surge is expected to be reflected more prominently in the current and subsequent years. In 2025 alone, the Institute was granted 23 patents, marking growth over previous years.

CIPR aims to boost institutional academic credentials andrankings, and foster industry collaborations, while rewarding inventors for innovative, novel, and non-obvious solutions, said Chairperson, CIPR Prof. Sujit Sen. “Efforts such as “One scholar, one patent” for the research scholars have shown positive outcomes in gaining this remarkable fleet of 100+ granted patents. In 2026, we aim to file a minimum of 200 patents and envision achieving the goal of “One patent a day” in the coming three years. CIPR notes that the 2026 Budget measures show a policy approach that links IP creation with building capabilities in key sectors, while also improving the environment for generating and commercialising legally protectable IP through scale, wider participation, and continued public investment,” he added.

NIT Rourkela aims to strengthen its innovation ecosystem by expanding industry partnerships, increasing international patent filings, and promoting technology transfer for societal and industrial impact.