Patent and Trade Marks Agent Exams 2027 Dates Announced

Candidates must first appear for an objective-type multiple-choice paper carrying 100 marks, followed by a descriptive paper worth another 100 marks.

The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has announced the tentative schedule for the Patent Agent Examination (PAE) and the Trade Marks Agent Examination (TAE) 2027, giving aspiring intellectual property professionals an early timeline to prepare for the two national-level qualifying examinations.

According to the announcement, the Trade Marks Agent Examination is expected to be held on 9 January 2027 (Saturday), while the Patent Agent Examination is likely to take place on 10 January 2027 (Sunday). Both examinations are proposed to be conducted at 15 centres across India, making them accessible to candidates from different regions.

Examinations to Be Held Across 15 Cities

The proposed examination centres include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram.

The Patent Agent Examination is conducted under the provisions of the Patents Act, 1970 and the Patents Rules, 2003, while the Trade Marks Agent Examination is held in accordance with the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Both examinations are organised by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, the authority responsible for administering India's intellectual property registration system.

Three-Stage Assessment for Candidates

Both examinations follow the same evaluation pattern and consist of three stages. Candidates must first appear for an objective-type multiple-choice paper carrying 100 marks, followed by a descriptive paper worth another 100 marks. Those who qualify these written papers are then assessed through a 50-mark viva voce, which evaluates their knowledge, professional competence and suitability to practise before the Intellectual Property Office.

To qualify, candidates must score at least 50 marks in each written paper and secure a minimum overall score of 60 percent. Registration as a Patent Agent or Trade Marks Agent will be granted only to candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility conditions and successfully clear all stages of the examination.

Growing Demand for Intellectual Property Professionals

The CGPDTM said the demand for qualified Patent Agents and Trade Marks Agents is expected to increase as innovation, research, entrepreneurship and brand development continue to expand across India. These professionals play an important role in helping inventors, businesses and organisations protect their intellectual property through patents, trademarks and related rights.

Patent Agents assist applicants in drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications while ensuring compliance with intellectual property laws. Trade Marks Agents support businesses by conducting trademark searches, handling registration procedures, managing intellectual property portfolios and protecting brand identities. They also assist with the registration of copyrights and geographical indications, strengthening India's wider intellectual property ecosystem.

The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks has encouraged eligible candidates to participate in the 2027 examinations and contribute to the continued development of India's intellectual property framework.