Prof. (Dr) Unnat P. Pandit

Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit is a distinguished intellectual property and innovation policy professional, currently serving as the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks; Registrar of Copyrights and Geographical Indications; and the authority responsible for Semi-conductor and Integrated Circuits Layout-Design administration under the Government of India. He also serves as Professor of IP, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

With a strong academic foundation in medicinal chemistry and law, Prof. Pandit brings a rare combination of scientific depth, legal expertise, and policy leadership. His doctoral research focused on medicinally important heterocycles, and he has three granted patents arising from that work, reflecting his early commitment to research-driven innovation curated by Strategically Designed Medicinally Important Heterocycles.

Over more than two decades of experience across government, industry, and academia, he has contributed to strengthening India’s intellectual property ecosystem, promoting innovation-led growth, and supporting startups, MSMEs, and research institutions. His leadership roles at NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission, his involvement in the National IPR Policy, and his academic engagement at JNU underscore his sustained work at the intersection of IP, innovation, and entrepreneurship

Rajendra Ratnoo, I.A.S

Shri Rajendra Ratnoo    (16.11.2020-04.04.2022) is a distinguished Indian Administrative Service officer and an accomplished leader in public policy, governance, and institutional transformation, with over two decades of extensive experience across public administration and strategic leadership. He has held several key positions including Joint Secretary and CG Patents/IPRs at Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Executive Director of National Institute of Disaster Management, Principal Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, and District Collector of multiple districts.

Currently serving as President & Group Head, Public Policy & External Affairs at Murugappa Group, he is widely recognized for his contributions to industrial policy, disaster resilience, climate action, infrastructure development, and intellectual property reforms. His career reflects a strong commitment to transformative governance, sustainable development, and strategic institutional leadership

O.P. Gupta, I.A.S

Shri O.P. Gupta, (16.11.2015-16.11.2020 ) an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1992 batch, is a distinguished administrator with extensive experience in public governance, infrastructure management, and institutional leadership. He has served in several key positions including Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, Chairman and Managing Director of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd., and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation.

With a distinguished career spanning diverse administrative and leadership roles, he is widely recognized for his contributions to governance reforms, public sector management, and strengthening India’s intellectual property administration.

Rajiv Aggarwal, I.A.S

Shri Rajiv Aggarwal (12.03.2015 - 15.11.2015)  (IAS Officer and Joint Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) had taken additional charge and was appointed as the new Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) of India with effect from March 18, 2015. 

He is a retired Indian Administrative Service officer from the 1975 Maharashtra cadre. He holds degrees in LL.B. Law, Graduate Physics, and P.G. Physics. Throughout his career, he served in various capacities including District Collector, Municipal Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, Commissioner (Personnel), Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, Managing Director, and Secretary. His most recent designation was Secretary at Maharashtra. He was associated with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution during his service.

Chaitanya Prasad, I.A.S.

Shri  Chaitanya  Prasad a distinguished officer of the Indian Administrative Service (Bihar Cadre, 1990 Batch), has over three decades of exemplary experience in public administration, governance, and policy leadership. During his illustrious career, he has held several senior positions including Chairman and Member Secretary, Board of Revenue, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Principal Secretary in Urban Development, Water Resources, and Cooperative Departments, Principal Secretary to the Governor of Bihar, and Controller General at Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.

He has also served in key administrative capacities as District Magistrate of multiple districts, Joint Secretary in the Government of India, Director in the Ministries of Finance and Personnel, and in several strategic leadership roles across urban development, education, planning, and industrial administration. His distinguished service reflects a sustained commitment to administrative excellence, institutional reform, and impactful public service.

P.H. Kurian, I.A.S

Mr. P.H. Kurian, (21.01.2009-11.03.2012)an Indian Administrative Service officer, is a distinguished administrator and policy leader with extensive experience in governance, industrial development, and intellectual property administration. A postgraduate in Chemistry from the University of Kerala, he joined the IAS in 1986 and served in several key capacities in the Governments of Odisha and Kerala.

As Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, he played a significant role in strengthening India’s intellectual property framework. He is widely recognized for his contributions to entrepreneurship development, industrial financing, labour relations, and policy formulation.

S. Chandrasekaran

Shri S Chandrasekaran,(Septmber 2004 - March 2007) headed the patent office when Novartis' patent claim was first struck down. During his tenure as the 15th Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, he first introduced the publication of the Patent Journal every Friday on the website of the Indian Patent Office on 21 January 2005, initiated the modernization project of the Indian Patent Office to establish world-class buildings and infrastructure, significantly enhanced examiner and staff strength, and introduced advanced patent search tool facilities. He also created a record by granting patents within a period of 6 to 8 months. Furthermore, during his tenure at the Intellectual Property Appellate Board, his judgments were widely recognized for their well-analyzed interpretations of “Person Interested” under the Patents Act and “Inventive Step/Obviousness,” supported by references to leading RPCs and several other landmark judgments.

Dr. S.N. Maity

Dr. S.N. Maity, (August 2003 - August 2004) A Scientist E-II at the Central Mining Research Institute (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), was selected through a UPSC-conducted process and appointed as Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) for a five-year tenure .

Dr. S. Venkateswaran

 Dr. S. Venkateswaran — (1959 – 1963) - Dr. S. Venkateswaran DR. S. VENKATESWARAN was appointed first controller-general of patents, designs and trade-marks (India). He graduated in the University of Madras in 1919, and during 1919-21 was Government of Madras Research Scholar at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. In 1922 he was appointed research assistant in the Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, and during 1923-30 he worked as chemical assistant at the Government Test House, Alipore. During 1924-31 he carried out scientific research under Sir C. V. Raman and published several research papers in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, Philosophical Magazine, Nature and other well-known scientific journals. H e took the D .Sc. and B.L. degrees and was elected a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences. In 1930 Dr. Venkateswaran was appointed examiner of patents at the Patent Office, Calcutta. During this period he published a valuable treatise on the "Trade and Merchandise Marks Law in India" in 1935. This book was largely responsible for the introduction of the first trade marks legislation in India in 1940, and the Trade Marks Bill of 1940 was based on the recommendations made by him. Another book, on "Cotton Trade Marks", was published by him in 1939. In September 1940 he was appointed assistant registrar of trade marks, and, in 1944, deputy registrar of trade marks. During this period he published a treatise on the "Trade Marks Act, 1940", and a supplement in 1953. In 1954 he was appointed registrar of trade marks. In February 1957 he became officer on special duty (trade marks, patents and designs). On February 8, 1959, he took charge of both the Tra de Marks Registry as registrar of trade marks and of the Patent Office as controller of patents and designs