CGPDTM Sets January 2027 Dates for Patent and Trade Marks Agent Exams Across India

The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) has announced the tentative schedule for the 2027 Patent Agent Examination (PAE) and Trade Marks Agent Examination (TAE). The Trade Marks Agent Examination is slated for Saturday, 9 January 2027, followed by the Patent Agent Examination on Sunday, 10 January 2027. Both exams will be conducted at 15 centres across India, facilitating broad regional access for candidates.

The designated examination centres include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, and Thiruvananthapuram. This distribution aims to accommodate aspirants from diverse geographic locations.

The Patent Agent Examination is governed by the Patents Act, 1970, and the Patents Rules, 2003, whereas the Trade Marks Agent Examination follows the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Both examinations are administered by the CGPDTM, the statutory authority overseeing India's intellectual property registration system.

Candidates appearing for either examination must complete three stages of assessment. The first stage is an objective-type multiple-choice question paper carrying 100 marks. This is followed by a descriptive paper, also worth 100 marks. Candidates who successfully clear these written components proceed to a viva voce worth 50 marks. The viva voce evaluates candidates’ knowledge, professional competence, and suitability to practice before the Intellectual Property Office.

To qualify, candidates must secure at least 50 marks in each written paper and achieve a minimum overall score of 60 percent across both papers. Only those who meet the eligibility criteria and pass all examination stages will be registered as Patent Agents or Trade Marks Agents.

The CGPDTM highlighted the growing demand for qualified Patent and Trade Marks Agents in India, driven by expanding innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and brand development. These professionals play a critical role in assisting inventors, businesses, and organizations to protect their intellectual property rights effectively.

Patent Agents provide expertise in drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications, ensuring compliance with applicable laws. Trade Marks Agents support businesses by conducting trademark searches, managing registration processes, overseeing intellectual property portfolios, and safeguarding brand identities. Additionally, they assist with copyright and geographical indication registrations, contributing to the robustness of India’s intellectual property ecosystem.

The CGPDTM encourages eligible candidates to participate in the 2027 examinations to advance their careers and contribute to the development of India’s intellectual property framework. Early preparation is advised given the announced schedule and the competitive nature of these national-level qualifying exams.