Ahmedabad – Gujarat has secured an impressive 952 patents over the past four years, driven by a conducive environment for innovation and research within universities and various central and state government research institutes. Students and researchers from Ahmedabad and Vadodara have emerged as top contributors in obtaining these patents.
A patent signifies the legal monopoly granted by the government for the innovative research conducted by scientists, engineers, and researchers. This protection prevents unauthorized use of their work. In recent years, the number of patents has increased significantly due to the proliferation of startups in Gujarat, special grants for university research activities, and government schemes like the PM Fellowship.
The number of patents a university secures is also a metric of its educational quality. In Vadodara, researchers received 62 patents in 2020, 44 in 2021, 36 in 2022, and 4 in 2023. In Ahmedabad, the numbers were even higher, with 122 patents in 2020, 113 in 2021, 117 in 2022, and 20 in 2023. Across Gujarat, the total patents registered from 2020 to 2023 were 266, 237, 200, and 49 respectively, summing up to 952 patents.
Interestingly, innovation isn't confined to metro areas. Somabhai Parmar, a resident of Bhesal village in the tribal-dominated Panchmahal district, holds a patent related to veterinary medicine.
Gujarat has seen significant research in fields like chemistry, medicine, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, textile, and computer science. Notable innovations from the past four years include a transparent smartphone with an opaque mode, sensor-driven red signal using cameras, crime scene management by rover robots, AI-based analysis of heart attack risk, and robots for solar panel cleaning and waste management.
Other remarkable inventions include an interactive smart mirror and a device to measure an EV's battery usage while charging. Research in electrical and mechanical engineering has focused on processes that facilitate machine operation, alongside new methods in chemical processes.
Gujarat’s commitment to fostering a robust research environment is evident in these achievements, highlighting the state’s role as a hub of innovation and technological advancement.
