To check an Indian patent application's status: go to iprsearch.ipindia.gov.in → "Application Status" tab → enter the application number → solve the CAPTCHA. Free, no login, takes two minutes. What the portal won't tell you is what the status actually means for you — and several stages carry hard deadlines that can kill an application if missed. This guide covers both.
The InPASS Application Status tab: enter the application number and CAPTCHAChecking status: the two routes
- Direct: InPASS → Application Status tab → application number (from your filing receipt, e.g.
202641088324) → CAPTCHA → status view. - From a search: every InPASS search-result row has an "Application Status" shortcut — useful when tracking a competitor's application you found by keyword. (Full search walkthrough: see our complete InPASS guide.)
What the status stages mean — and what to do at each
| Status you'll see | What it means | What to do / deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Application Filed / Awaiting Publication | Confidential period; publishes ~18 months from filing/priority | Optional: request early publication (Form 9) to start provisional rights sooner |
| Published | Now public and searchable; provisional rights against infringers begin | Nothing mandatory — but examination won't start until requested |
| Awaiting Request for Examination | The office is waiting for YOU | Hard deadline: file RFE (Form 18) within 31 months of priority (2024 Rules — was 48). Miss it and the application is deemed withdrawn |
| Under Examination | Examiner is reviewing | Wait; typical queue varies by field |
| FER Issued (First Examination Report) | Objections raised — novelty/inventive step/formalities | Reply within 6 months (extendable by 3): this is where professional drafting of the response matters most |
| Reply Filed / Under Consideration | Your response is with the examiner | Possible hearing notice next |
| Hearing Scheduled | Examiner unconvinced on some objections | Prepare arguments; attending (or attorney attending) is critical |
| Granted | Patent granted; number issued | Renewal fees due from year 3; record moves to E-register |
| Refused / Abandoned / Deemed Withdrawn | Application dead at this office | Limited revival options; review promptly — some routes are time-barred |
(Statuses shown by the portal vary slightly in wording; the stages above are the canonical prosecution path.)
Reading between the lines
- Status lags reality by days — a reply filed yesterday may not show.
- "Awaiting RFE" is the silent killer: nothing happens until you act, and the 31-month clock runs whether you watch it or not.
- Date discipline: deadlines run from priority/filing dates in the record — verify them against the bibliographic view (Patent Search route shows the full record).
- Checking a granted patent's current life (in force? lapsed?) is a different tool — the Patent E-register guide, not Application Status.
FAQ
Can I check someone else's application status? Yes — any application number works once the application is published. Competitor tracking is legal and routine.
The portal shows no result for my number. Check the format (no spaces), and note unpublished applications (first ~18 months) return nothing on public tools.
How long until an Indian patent is granted? Commonly 2–4 years filing-to-grant; expedited examination (eligible categories incl. startups) can compress it to under a year.
What is an FER and how serious is it? The First Examination Report lists the examiner's objections. Nearly every application receives one — it's the start of argumentation, not a rejection. The quality of the reply usually decides the outcome. (Our patent prosecution team handles FER responses and hearings.)
My status says "deemed withdrawn" — is it over? Usually it means a mandatory deadline (often the RFE) passed. Options are narrow and time-sensitive — take advice immediately.
Received an FER, or unsure what your status requires next? Talk to our patent prosecution team — deadline-driven, fixed-fee responses.
This guide is for general information and education only and is not legal advice.
