GS Paper III · Science & Tech
Intellectual Property Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)
From the syllabus: Science and technology: developments and their applications and effects in everyday life; achievements of Indians; indigenization of technology; awareness in IT, space, computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology; intellectual property rights
Why it matters: Examiners look at how patent regimes balance affordable public access to essential medicines and technologies with incentives for domestic research and innovation.
In the news
September 2026
21 Sep 2026
Patent Laws and Generic Medicine AffordabilityA recent study highlights how India's legal framework effectively prevents patent evergreening, ensuring affordable access to vital drugs like diabetes medication. By prohibiting minor modifications of existing drugs from receiving...
20 Sep 2026
Study Details Role of Anti-Evergreening Laws in Affordable Generic HealthcareA recent study on expensive diabetes treatments highlights how Section 3(d) of India's Patents Act prevents pharmaceutical companies from evergreening patents through minor modifications. This statutory protection enables local...
July 2026
28 Jul 2026
Unresolved Key Issues in India-UK Trade NegotiationsNegotiations for the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) remain incomplete due to outstanding differences over crucial issues. Key friction points include intellectual property rights, carbon border...
27 Jul 2026
Pending Hurdles in the India-UK Free Trade AgreementDespite progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), several complex issues remain unresolved. Future rounds of negotiations will need to address investment protection mechanisms, patent rules under...
06 Jul 2026
Eastern India and MP Lead in New GI RegistrationsRecent data shows that Eastern India is leading in Geographical Indication (GI) registrations, with the DPIIT Chair at WBNUJS helping West Bengal and Jharkhand secure multiple tags. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of...
05 Jul 2026
IT Ministry Intensifies Anti-Piracy Pressure on TelegramThe Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has stepped up pressure on the messaging platform Telegram, demanding proactive mechanisms to prevent copyright infringement and digital piracy. Telegram has faced continuous scrutiny...
04 Jul 2026
Safe Harbor and Intermediary Liability: I&B Ministry's Warning to TelegramThe Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a fresh notice to messaging platform Telegram, directing it to submit an Action Taken Report within 15 days regarding the unchecked proliferation of pirated copyright...
03 Jul 2026
Cyber-Security and Intermediary Liabilities: GoDaddy vs. Government CrackdownGlobal domain registrar GoDaddy has expressed legal concerns regarding the Indian government's intensive crackdown on fake and malicious brand-infringing websites. While supporting cyber-safety, the company argues that wholesale domain...
Practise Intellectual Property
4 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 4
Under Indian patent law, which mechanism prevents pharmaceutical companies from extending patent monopolies through minor, incremental modifications of existing drugs?
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.