UPSC Prelims 2017 Q34: Indian Economy – International Trade & WTO
With reference to the 'National Intellectual Property Rights Policy', consider the following
statements:
1. It reiterates India's commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS Agreement.
2. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal agency for regulating intellectual
property rights in India.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, 2016
Approved by the Union Cabinet in May 2016.
Its slogan is 'Creative India; Innovative India'.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. It reiterates India's commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS Agreement | Correct | The policy states that India's IP laws stay TRIPS-compliant and backs the Doha agenda |
| 2. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal agency for intellectual property rights | Correct | DIPP (now DPIIT) is the nodal department for all IPR matters |
Key features:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Objectives | Seven, from awareness to enforcement |
| Nodal department | DIPP, Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Cell created | CIPAM (Cell for IPR Promotion and Management) |
| Coverage | All forms of intellectual property in one policy |
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also true: DIPP is the nodal department for IPR.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is also true: the policy reaffirms Doha and TRIPS commitments.
- (c) CORRECT. The policy reaffirms TRIPS and Doha and makes DIPP the nodal department.
- (d) Incorrect. Both statements about the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy are true.
Key point
National IPR Policy (2016): 'Creative India; Innovative India'; seven objectives; DIPP (now DPIIT) is nodal; TRIPS-compliant; CIPAM set up.
Remember
IPR Policy 2016 = DIPP nodal + TRIPS-compliant.
Common mistakes
- Thinking copyright stayed with the HRD Ministry; it moved to DIPP in 2016.
- Assuming the policy goes beyond TRIPS (TRIPS-plus); it only reaffirms TRIPS.
- Forgetting that DIPP was renamed DPIIT in 2019.
Exam tip
One policy, one nodal department: all IPR subjects sit under DIPP (DPIIT).
Sources
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade — National IPR Policy, 2016
- Press Information Bureau — Cabinet approves National Intellectual Property Rights Policy (13 May 2016)