Patent Agent Examination

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Indian Patent Agent examination is conducted by Indian Patent Office (IPO) every year. A person without a law degree shall be eligible to register as patent agents at the Indian Patent Office (IPO) if he/she is:

A citizen of India.
Has completed the age of 21 years.
Graduate in science, engineering or technology from any University established under law for the time being in force in the territory of India or possessing such other equivalent qualifications as the Central Government may specify in this behalf, and, in addition all science and technology graduates (B. Sc, M.Sc, B.Tech, M.tech etc.) are eligible to apply for the examination.

Patent Agent Examination consists of 2 papers carrying 100 marks each and a viva-voce of 50 mark. The passing score is a minimum of 50% in each and overall 60%. The candidates who successfully pass the 2 papers of the Patent Agent Exam, will be selected for the viva voce test. Candidates are appointed as Patent agent only on the basis of viva voce test and interview. This is a professional qualification which is valid, lifelong. The notification for the exam usually comes in February.

Paper I:
Paper - I covering Patents Act and Rules consist of two parts A and B.

Part A will consist of two parts, i.e. part A1 and A2 and all questions are compulsory.
i. Part A1, of 30 marks, will have 15 multiple choice questions of two marks each. Each question will have a maximum of six choices and
a maximum of two correct choices.
ii. Part A2, of 10 marks, will have 10 true / false type questions of one mark each.
Part B will consist of 8 subjective type questions and the candidates are required to attempt any 6 out of the 8 questions.

Paper II:
Paper-II covers Drafting and Interpretation of the Patent Specifications and other Documents. It will consist of two parts, i.e. Part A and B.

art-A, of 40 marks, will consist of 6 questions of 10 marks each and the candidate are required to attempt any 4 questions. The questions will relate to drafting and interpretation of patent specifications and other documents required to be submitted under the Act and Rules.
Part-B, of 60 marks, will consist of parts B1 and B2.
i. Part B1 will be compulsory and will consist of 1 question relating to drafting of claims and abstract from a given description of an invention.
ii. Part B2 will consist of 2 questions and the candidates are required to attempt any 1 question. Out of the two questions, one question will relate to general engineering and the other question will relate to field of chemistry/ life sciences.

When a candidate clears the Patent Agent examination, he/she gets qualified as a Patent Agent and the Controller General of Patents will enter the candidate's name, nationality, address of the principal place of business, address of branch offices, the qualification and the date of registration in the register of patent agents maintained under section 125 of the constitution and issue a certificate of registration as a patent agent. The Patent Agent register also contains specimen signatures and photographs of the person registered as patent agents. The register is maintained and accessed only by the person who is duly authorized by the Controller General of Patents. Copies of register of patent agents shall be maintained in each of the branch offices.