Research and innovation are core indicators of academic strength — and patents are one of the most tangible markers of this. According to official data from the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Galgotias University has filed an astonishing 2,297 patent applications since its establishment in 2011, more than some older public institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
However, this volume of filings has not translated into substantive intellectual property rights (IPR). Only 24 of those applications — about 1% — have been granted patents, exposing a stark contrast between claims and achievements in actual innovation.
Benchmarking Success: IITs vs. Private Universities
Patent filing volume alone does not measure research impact. What matters more is conversion rate — how many applications are successfully turned into granted patents. On this measure, the IITs outperform private universities by a wide margin. Collectively, IITs have published 10,660 patent applications, with 6,675 of them granted — a roughly 63% success rate.
In contrast, many private universities — including another high-filing institution with about 7,500 applications — see success rates in the 3–6% range or lower.
This comparison underscores that publishing patents in large numbers is not the same as creating commercially or technically viable innovations. High grant rates often reflect stronger research ecosystems, funding, mentorship, and institutional focus. Without these, patent portfolios can appear impressive in size but weak in substance.
What Patent Statistics Tell Us About Research Culture
Patent grants typically follow rigorous examination, requiring novelty, non-obviousness, feasibility, and clear inventorship. A low grant rate can indicate any of the following:
- Weak research formulation
- Lack of novel ideas or technical depth
- Poor patent drafting and strategy
- Underinvestment in core R&D infrastructure
For universities aspiring to contribute meaningfully to AI and other advanced technologies, a strategy focused on quality over quantity in patents may be more effective.
Summit Controversy Casts a Shadow
These patent trends took on public significance when Galgotias University faced intense scrutiny at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where it was criticised for displaying a Chinese-made robotic dog as its own technology — an incident that raised broader questions about credibility and genuine innovation at academic institutions.
Summary
Galgotias University has filed 2,297 patent applications but secured only 24 grants — just 1% success — revealing a disconnect between volume and genuine innovation. By contrast, IITs have a 63% grant rate despite fewer filings. This patent gap highlights the need for stronger research culture at private institutes, a debate intensified by Galgotias’ robotic showcase controversy at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
