A provisional patent application allows you to establish a priority date for your invention before the complete specification is ready. It gives you 12 months to develop your invention fully, conduct commercial testing, and file the complete specification — while your priority date is protected.
Key Benefits
- Establishes priority date immediately — critical for "first to file" system
- Gives 12 months to develop invention and file complete specification
- Lower cost than complete specification — buy time commercially
- Can use "Patent Pending" notice from filing date
- Allows you to test market response before full investment
Provisional vs. Complete Application
| Feature | Provisional | Complete |
|---|
| Purpose | Establish priority date | Full patent claim |
| Claims required | No | Yes (mandatory) |
| Examination | No | Yes |
| Duration of protection | 12 months only | 20 years |
| Fee (Natural Person / Startup) | ₹1,600 | ₹4,000+ |
⚠️ You must file the Complete Specification within 12 months of the provisional filing date. Missing this deadline abandons your application and loses your priority date permanently.
Documents Required
- Inventor's name, address, and nationality
- Title of invention
- Description of the invention (drawings welcome)
- Abstract summarising the invention
- Applicant's PAN and Aadhaar / incorporation documents