Rourkela: The National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) has achieved a major milestone in its journey toward innovation-driven research by securing 101 patents, including 97 national and 4 international grants, reinforcing its position as one of India’s leading technology institutes. To date, the institute has filed a total of 230 patents, comprising 218 national and 12 international applications.
Over the last few years, NIT Rourkela has seen steady growth in both patent filings and grants. In 2025 alone, the institute was granted 23 patents, reflecting an upward trend in its research output. Experts say the impact of the 2025 surge in patent filings is expected to be more prominent in the coming years due to the time required for patent examination and approval.
The patents granted cover a wide spectrum of innovation domains, ranging from AI-based vehicular communication systems and autonomous drone technologies to industrial waste treatment prototypes, health-monitoring IoT devices, sustainable food packaging solutions, and advanced materials derived from waste resources.
Speaking on the achievement, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director of NIT Rourkela, said, “Crossing the 100-patent mark is a significant milestone for NIT Rourkela. With over 230 patents filed and 101 granted so far, our growing portfolio reflects impactful work across areas such as AI, sustainable materials, healthcare, semiconductors, and water research. With 91 applications filed in 2025 alone, we are accelerating efforts to strengthen an innovation-driven ecosystem and aim to double the number of granted patents next year, contributing meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”
The institute’s Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR) plays a key role in assisting faculty and researchers to protect and commercialise their innovations. The centre supports activities such as:
- Creating awareness and capacity in intellectual property matters
- Reviewing and approving IP proposals from faculty and students
- Assisting with patent filing, prosecution, and grant processes
- Facilitating licensing, technology transfer, and collaborations
- Supporting MoUs and issuing NOCs related to IP
Prof. Sujit Sen, Chairperson of CIPR, said, “Established in 2022 by Prof. Rao, CIPR aims to enhance academic credentials, foster industry collaboration, and reward inventors for novel and impactful solutions. Initiatives like ‘One Scholar, One Patent’ have helped achieve over 100 granted patents. In 2026, we plan to file at least 200 patents and are working toward the goal of ‘One Patent a Day’ within the next three years.”
Looking ahead, NIT Rourkela plans to expand industry partnerships, increase international patent filings, and promote technology transfer to boost societal and industrial impact. Its efforts directly contribute to national initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, promoting indigenous innovation, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable technological development.
By translating cutting-edge research from the lab to real-world applications, NIT Rourkela is positioning itself as a global leader in technology-driven innovation, reinforcing its commitment to bridging research and industry for national and international impact.
