Startups can still access statutory intellectual property (IP) filing-fee concessions, subject to current rules and eligibility. But the government-funded facilitator-fee support under the Scheme for Facilitating Startups Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP) is a separate benefit. It concluded on 31 March 2026, and no extension or renewal has been officially notified on the IP India website as of November 2026.
That distinction matters. A startup may still qualify for a reduced government filing fee without being entitled to free professional drafting or prosecution. Founders planning a patent, trademark or design filing should budget accordingly and confirm the latest rules with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) before proceeding.
For background, see our earlier article on the SIPP scheme for startups in 2026.
What ended: SIPP facilitator-fee support
SIPP was designed to help eligible startups access professional assistance with patent, trademark and design applications. When the facilitator-fee support was active, government-empanelled facilitators could assist with application preparation and prosecution, with their professional fees paid by the government under the scheme’s terms.
That support concluded on 31 March 2026. As of November 2026, the IP India website has not published an official notification extending or renewing it. Its SIPP page still contains scheme documents and facilitator information, but those materials should not be treated as proof that support is currently available for new work.
Practical effect: startups should assume that professional drafting, filing and prosecution costs will be payable by the applicant unless the CGPDTM confirms a current, applicable government notification. Statutory filing fees are separate and may still qualify for a concession.
What did not end: statutory filing-fee concessions
SIPP facilitator support and statutory fee concessions are different things:
- Facilitator-fee support covered professional assistance under the SIPP programme. That support concluded on 31 March 2026.
- Statutory filing-fee concessions reduce certain official fees payable to the Intellectual Property Office for eligible applicants. These are separate from SIPP.
Historically, eligible startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) have been entitled to an 80% rebate on patent filing fees and a 50% rebate on trademark filing fees, subject to applicable rules and the applicant’s status. These statutory concessions remain separate from SIPP and continue subject to current rules. Applicants should verify the applicable rate and process against the latest official fee schedules before filing.
How to claim the startup category correctly
For a patent filing, the applicant should select the applicable startup category and submit Form 28 and any supporting evidence required under the current Patent Rules. The entity named as applicant should match the recognition and supporting documents.
For a trademark filing, the applicant should select the appropriate startup category in the relevant application and provide DPIIT recognition or other supporting documentation if required by the current process. Check the latest instructions and fee schedule before submitting. An incorrect category or missing evidence can lead to a request for clarification or payment of the applicable fee.
The concession concerns the statutory fee. It does not, by itself, pay a patent agent’s or trademark professional’s fees.
Check the IP India patent forms and official fees, trade mark forms and official fees, and the Startup India intellectual property page. Startup India’s published page includes information about facilitator support; because the SIPP term has ended, read it alongside the current IP India notices and confirm the position with the CGPDTM before relying on it.
Why DPIIT recognition still matters
DPIIT recognition can still be useful even though SIPP facilitator-fee support has ended. It may help an eligible startup access the relevant statutory fee category for patent and trademark applications, and it can support eligibility for other Startup India initiatives where separate criteria apply.
Recognition is not a blanket entitlement to every government benefit. Each concession or programme may have its own conditions, documentation and application process. Startups should confirm that their recognition is current and that the applicant entity named in an IP application matches the recognised entity.
For founders considering Startup Registration India, it is worth checking recognition eligibility early and keeping the certificate and related entity records accessible. Recognition does not guarantee that an IP application will be approved, and it no longer means that professional filing support is automatically free.
What SIPP’s end means in practice
Budget for professional work
A statutory rebate can lower the official fee, but startups should budget separately for professional advice and work. Depending on the filing, this may include searches, drafting, filing, examination responses, hearings or other prosecution steps. Ask for a clear scope and fee proposal so the expected work and any additional costs are understood.
Give drafting the attention it needs
Patent specifications and claims define the invention being pursued. A weak or incomplete draft may be difficult to fix later, and an amendment may not be able to introduce subject matter that was not adequately disclosed. Trademark applications also benefit from thoughtful selection of the mark, applicant details and goods or services description. A low-cost filing that fails to protect the intended commercial asset may not be a real saving.
Self-filing is a decision, not a default
Self-filing may suit a founder who understands the relevant forms, has a straightforward application and can manage the full prosecution process. It is riskier where the invention is technically complex, ownership is shared, the brand has expansion plans, or the applicant expects objections or opposition.
A filing is not the end of the process. For example, a First Examination Report (FER) may require a response within the applicable period. Missing a filing or response deadline can put the application at risk. Maintain a reliable calendar and assign responsibility for monitoring every application.
Cost-management options for startups
The end of facilitator-fee support does not mean every IP task has to be handled at once. A planned portfolio can help direct spending toward the assets most important to the business.
- Prioritise by commercial value. Consider which inventions, brands or product designs are most important to launch, investment, licensing or market entry.
- Consider staged patent filing. A provisional-to-complete approach may be suitable in some cases, but it requires careful planning and compliance with the applicable rules. Discuss the strategy with a patent professional before relying on it.
- Use the correct fee category. Check whether the applicant qualifies as a startup or another eligible category, and file the required forms and evidence correctly. Small-entity categories may also be relevant where the applicant meets the applicable definition.
- Choose support based on the work. Private IP counsel can provide drafting and prosecution services under a paid engagement. Compare proposals by scope, deliverables and how ongoing deadlines will be monitored.
- Check for a new notification. Do not assume that a replacement scheme or fee benefit exists because an old page, facilitator list or article remains online. Verify any new government support directly with the CGPDTM or on the official IP India website.
The right approach depends on the startup’s invention, brand, ownership arrangements and growth plans. A focused Patent Filing Services strategy, for example, should account for technical disclosure and follow-up obligations, not just the initial application.
A practical checklist for filing IP in India now
Before submitting a patent, trademark or design application:
- Confirm that the applicant’s DPIIT recognition is valid and that the entity details are consistent.
- Check the latest official IP India forms, fee categories and concessions for the specific type of filing.
- Confirm the required evidence and make sure the correct applicant category is claimed on the relevant forms.
- Budget separately for statutory fees and professional fees.
- Prioritise filings according to commercial importance and filing readiness.
- Set up deadline monitoring for examination reports, hearings and other prosecution steps.
- Verify directly with the CGPDTM whether any new SIPP extension or replacement notification has been issued.
Plan your startup’s IP filings with confidence
SIPP facilitator-fee support has ended, but statutory filing-fee concessions for eligible DPIIT-recognised startups are separate and continue subject to current rules. The key is to verify the applicable fee category, plan for professional costs and treat each application as part of a longer IP strategy.
VS IPR & LEGAL ADVISORS LLP supports startups with patent, trademark and design filings, clear professional fees, and one-roof assistance that can include DPIIT recognition guidance and IP prosecution. If your startup is preparing to file, let’s connect. Call us today or leave a message to discuss the right next step for your innovation or brand.
For updates, consult the IP India SIPP page and the Startup India intellectual property page. Confirm the current rules with the CGPDTM before filing. This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice on a specific application.
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