The initiative will be implemented by the Higher and Technical Education Department and will include a training programme for faculty and a proposed state-level Patent Bank. | Photo Credit: iStockphoto

The Maharashtra government has granted in-principle approval for a state-level MANTRA Centre with an allocation of Rs 60 crore to support patent filing, intellectual property management and commercialisation of research from universities.

The Higher and Technical Education Department will establish MANTRA (Maharashtra Academy for Nurturing Technology, Research and Intellectual Assets), an official statement said.

Recognising the need to create a support mechanism for intellectual property creation and management within higher education institutions, the department had constituted an expert committee under the chairmanship of Dr A B Pandit, Vice Chancellor, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai.

The committee noted the need for greater institutional support to assist researchers throughout the patenting process, and recommended a two-phase approach.

In the first phase, MANTRA will be established. Further, a two-credit, 30-hour training programme titled 'Sankalp' will be introduced for faculty members across higher education institutions in Maharashtra.

MANTRA is proposed to commence operations from July 1 at the University of Mumbai's Kalina Campus.

The Department also proposes to create a state-level Patent Bank that will serve as a repository of patents generated by educational institutions.

In the second phase, emphasis will be placed on technology transfer, industry collaboration and wider utilisation of intellectual property generated within academic institutions, the release said.

Published on June 19, 2026