This research paper examines the critical role of patent audits in enhancing intellectual property (IP) management within Indian academic institutions. With the growing emphasis on innovation and research in Indian universities, patents have become a vital tool for protecting and commercializing academic discoveries. However, the lack of systematic patent audits has led to challenges, including abandoned patents, missed commercialization opportunities, and inefficient resource allocation. This study aims to address this gap by proposing a conceptual, structured framework for conducting patent audits tailored to the Indian academic context. The research adopts a quantitative approach to the Top 25 Indian technical institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The proposed conceptual framework includes steps such as Patent Portfolio Verification, Technology Benchmarking, Risk Evaluation, Patent Enforcement, and Commercialization Pathway Assessment. The study also highlights challenges, including limited awareness, budget constraints, and bureaucratic hurdles, while identifying opportunities through government initiatives, such as the National IPR Policy, and industry collaborations. The findings underscore the importance of patent audits in optimizing IP portfolios, fostering innovation, and facilitating technology transfer. The paper concludes with a Conceptual Patent Audit Framework and recommendations for policymakers, academic leaders, and researchers to strengthen IP management practices in Indian universities. By adopting systematic patent audits, Indian educational institutions can unlock the full potential of their research outputs, contributing to the nation’s innovation ecosystem and economic growth. This research contributes to the limited literature on patent audits in academia, particularly in the Indian context, and provides actionable insights for stakeholders. The findings underscore the importance of patent audits in optimizing IP portfolios, fostering innovation, and facilitating technology transfer. The paper concludes with a Conceptual Patent Audit Framework and recommendations for policymakers, academic leaders, and researchers to strengthen IP management practices in Indian universities. By adopting systematic patent audits, Indian educational institutions can unlock the full potential of their research outputs, contributing to the nation’s innovation ecosystem and economic growth. This research contributes to the limited literature on patent audits in academia, particularly in the Indian context, and provides actionable insights for stakeholders.
Santhalia et al. (Wed,) studied this question.