QUESTION 15
GS3
15 marks
How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies?
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Explain how India protects traditional medicinal knowledge from being patented by companies.
ExplainMake clear how and why it happens: causes, process, and an example for each point.
Demand-wise check
- 1TKDL: database of traditional formulations in patent office formats, shared with patent offices≈50 words
- 2Law: Patents Act Section 3(p) bars traditional knowledge patents; Biological Diversity Act benefit sharing; NBA approvals≈50 words
- 3Cases fought: turmeric, neem, basmati≈50 words
- 4International: WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated TK (2024)≈50 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
ProblemTKDLLegal provisionsCasesInternationalConclusion
Where marks usually go
- No TKDL
- No turmeric, neem or basmati patent challenge cited
Draw this
- Shield diagram: TKDL, Patents Act, BDA
Value addition
- FactTKDL holds over 4.2 lakh formulations and has led to many foreign patent applications being withdrawn or rejected.CSIR-TKDL
- CaseThe US turmeric patent for wound healing was revoked in 1997 after CSIR challenged it.USPTO / CSIR
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 11 minutes, then get it checked.