# India Patent Prosecution Timeline

This timeline is a general information tool for foreign applicants and foreign associates. Actual timing depends on the filing route, examination, objections, hearings and Patent Office practice.

## Typical Matter Stages

1. Filing route and deadline review
2. Document and formalities intake
3. Indian application filing
4. Filing confirmation and application-number reporting
5. Request for examination planning
6. First Examination Report review
7. Response strategy and claim amendment review
8. FER response filing
9. Hearing preparation, if scheduled
10. Written submissions after hearing, if required
11. Grant, refusal, abandonment or further action
12. Renewal and portfolio reporting

## Foreign Associate Reporting Points

- Filing confirmation
- Upcoming response or examination deadlines
- FER objection summary
- Proposed response strategy
- Hearing notice and preparation plan
- Post-hearing status
- Renewal deadline
- Portfolio-level issues requiring escalation

## Issues To Flag Early

- Imminent national phase or convention deadline
- Missing proof of right or priority document
- Computer-related invention objections
- Pharma, biotech or excluded-subject concerns
- Claim-family inconsistency with major jurisdictions
- Pre-grant opposition risk
- Assignment or applicant-name mismatch