Jharkhand Establishes State-Level IP Facilitation Centre to Boost Innovation and Protect IPR

Ranchi: In a move to bolster the state's innovation ecosystem, the Jharkhand higher and technical education department is set to establish a state-level Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre (IPFC).

Operating under the aegis of the Jharkhand Council on Science, Technology and Innovation (JCSTI), the dedicated cell will function as a comprehensive one-stop solution for all matters related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) identification and preservation across the state.

The department’s proposal has already found favour with the Union govt, which recently approved partial funding for the project and sanctioned two dedicated experts, a project scientist and a project associate, to support the initiative.

The project carries an establishment cost of Rs 3 crore, of which the Centre has approved a contribution of Rs 1 crore, while JCSTI will bear the remaining cost.

Rahul Kumar Purwar, principal secretary, department of higher and technical education, stated that the initiative is designed to transform Jharkhand into a hub for intellectual excellence.

“The establishment of the IPFC would help in safeguarding the creative and technical capital of the state. By providing a one-stop solution, the govt is not just protecting ideas but actively fostering an ecosystem where innovation can thrive,” he said. The proposed centre is envisioned as a collaborative powerhouse, integrating knowledge partners from premier research laboratories, higher education institutions, industry bodies and MSMEs.

The core activities of the IPFC will include awareness creation and capacity building, patent search, analysis and filing services, legal advice and the maintenance of a digital repository. It will also focus on monitoring and facilitating trademarks, GI tags and patents.