God Bless November 27, 2016

Well, I am sure, this is what is crossing through the minds of the IP enthusiasts who have been waiting since long (2013-being specific) for their turn to appear for Patent Agent Examination (PAE). They were not able to do so for the want of examination taking place. November 27, 2016, has definitely brought a sigh of relief for them.

Relief came for PAE aspirants when the IPO official website announced on July 19, 2016, that PAE will be conducted before December 2016. Then IPO released a tender on September 01 requesting a quotation for supply of answer booklet and related works, the supply of Optical Mater Recognition (OMR) sheets, and printing of question papers for Patent Agent examination-2016. From tender, it appears that paper one is likely to have question s. no. 1-40 with one option correct, whereas s. no. 41-50 with more than one option correct. IPO is expecting a minimum of 2000 applications and expects the figure to go high up to 6000.

Online registration of the Patent Agent Examination can be done. Guidelines for filing the application can be accessed. Applications for this exam can be made only online and between 28.09.2016 to 27.10.2016.

In an interesting deviation from the examination pattern of the previous exam, this time Schedule for the Viva-Voce examination will be announced after the completion of the written examination. Only those candidates who have scored a minimum of 50% marks in each paper will be allowed to appear for Viva-Voce. A separate list for the same would be provided.

We wish all the best to all the PAE aspirants. May they all come up with flying colors!