The Kapila Kalam Program, also known as the Kalam Program for Intellectual Property (IP) Literacy and Awareness (KAPILA). This scheme is an initiative by the Government of India to promote IP awareness and filing, especially in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The Kapila Kalam Program was launched on 15th October 2020, on the 89th birth anniversary of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. This program coincides with the celebration of National Innovation Day.
The program seeks to educate students and faculty about intellectual property rights (IPR) and encourage a culture of innovation and patent filing. KAPILA is monitored by the Ministry of Education, its Innovation Cell, and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Why was the Kapila Kalam Program Launched?
India is striving to become a global leader in innovation and research. With a target of achieving a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, fostering a strong intellectual property ecosystem is crucial. The KAPILA program was launched to:
- Address the lack of awareness about intellectual property rights among students and researchers.
- Encourage the filing of patents, trademarks, and copyrights for new inventions.
- Promote self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) by enabling innovators to protect and monetize their ideas.
- Provide funding support to HEIs for IP filing and related activities.
- Recognize and facilitate innovation and best practices in higher educational institutions.
By nurturing awareness about intellectual property, KAPILA aims to develop a strong IP ecosystem across academic institutions in India.
Who Oversees the Kapila Kalam Program?
The program is launched by the Ministry of Education and is closely monitored by:
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
- Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education
The program also collaborates with higher educational institutions to establish Institution Innovation Councils (IICs). These councils play a key role in creating awareness about patents and intellectual property among students.
What are the Objectives of the KAPILA Kalam Program?
The KAPILA Program has multiple objectives aimed at promoting IP literacy:
- Promote IP Awareness: Educate students, teachers, and researchers in HEIs about intellectual property rights.
- Encourage Patent Filing: Establish a structured ecosystem within institutions to systematically protect inventions through patents.
- Offer Financial Assistance: Provide funding support to institutions for filing patents.
- Recognize Innovation: Acknowledge innovative ideas and best practices within academic institutions.
- Promote Self-Reliance: Foster a culture of innovation to contribute to India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Develop IPR Credit Courses: Introduce credit courses on intellectual property to teach rules, filing processes, and importance of IP protection.
What are the Key Initiatives under the Kapila Kalam Program?
KAPILA supports multiple initiatives to promote IP awareness in higher education:
- Intellectual Property (IP) Clinic: Provides guidance on IP filing and protection.
- Online Awareness Programs: Educates students and faculty about IPR and patent processes.
- Case Studies and Articles: Promotes knowledge sharing and research documentation.
- National Intellectual Property Literacy Week (NIPLW): Celebrated from 15th October to 23rd October, this week highlights IP rights, filing processes, and innovation.
- Financial Support: Institutions receive funding assistance for filing patents and related activities.
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How does KAPILA benefit Higher Education Institutions?
The program provides significant advantages to HEIs:
- Empowerment of Students and Faculty: Helps them understand their rights and the patent filing process.
- Recognition of Innovations: Innovative ideas and inventions are acknowledged and supported.
- Structured IP Ecosystem: Establishes a systematic approach to filing patents.
- Financial Assistance: Reduces the burden of patent filing costs on students and institutions.
- Encouragement to Participate Globally: Promotes international filing of patents to protect innovations worldwide.
Why is the Kapila Kalam Program Significant?
KAPILA plays a crucial role in India’s innovation-driven growth strategy. Its significance includes:
- Supporting India’s journey toward a $5 trillion economy.
- Strengthening the intellectual property ecosystem in HEIs.
- Encouraging students and researchers to protect their inventions legally.
- Promoting entrepreneurship and innovation by linking IP with commercialization.
- Bridging the awareness gap among young researchers who often work on innovative projects without understanding IP laws.
What is Intellectual Property (IP) and Why is it Important?
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are legal rights granted to creators for their innovative work. They allow the creator to use, license, or monetize their invention for a specific period. IP is broadly categorized into:
- Copyrights: Protect literary, artistic, and creative works. Copyright lasts for a minimum of 50 years after the creator’s death.
- Industrial Property: Includes trademarks, geographical indications, industrial designs, and trade secrets to encourage innovation.
IP protection ensures that creators are rewarded for their innovations and prevents misuse of intellectual property. KAPILA emphasizes the importance of IP awareness for students and researchers to secure their inventions.
How does the KAPILA Program Support Innovation in India?
KAPILA encourages a culture of innovation by:
- Offering training programs and workshops on IP rights.
- Establishing Institution Innovation Councils (IICs) in HEIs. Over 1,700 IICs are currently active, with plans to expand to 5,000 institutions under IIC 3.0.
- Recognizing and rewarding students and faculty for patents, copyrights, and innovative projects.
- Linking IP with entrepreneurship and commercialization.
- Celebrating National IP Literacy Week to engage students and researchers in IP-related activities.
What are the Key Facts and Figures of the KAPILA Program?
The details of the key facts and figures of the KAPILA program are as follows:
- Launch Date: October 15, 2020, on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s 89th birth anniversary.
- Launch Minister: Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union Education Minister.
- Target Audience: Students and faculty in Higher Education Institutions.
- Institution Innovation Councils: 1,700 IICs established, with a target of 5,000 under IIC 3.0.
- IP Filing Support: Financial assistance provided to institutions to promote patent filings.
- National IP Literacy Week: October 15–23 every year.
- Expected Outcome: At least 10,000 patent applications annually from participating institutions.
How does KAPILA align with India’s Self-Reliance Goal?
By promoting innovation and IP protection, KAPILA contributes to Atmanirbhar Bharat. It ensures that India:
- Protects domestic innovations before they are copied or patented internationally.
- Encourages students and researchers to monetize and commercialize their inventions.
- Builds a knowledge-based economy powered by intellectual property.
- Strengthens India’s global competitiveness in innovation and technology.
How can Students Benefit from the KAPILA Kalam Program?
Students pursuing higher education can benefit in multiple ways:
- Awareness of IP Rights: Understand their rights and obligations under IP laws.
- Patent Filing Knowledge: Learn the correct procedure for filing patents in India and globally.
- Recognition for Innovations: Get acknowledged for innovative ideas and projects.
- Financial Assistance: Reduce costs associated with IP filing through institutional support.
- Career Opportunities: Build a profile in research, entrepreneurship, and innovation management.
Key Takeaways Table
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Form | Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness (KAPILA) |
| Launch Date | 15th October 2020 |
| Launch Occasion | 89th birth anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam |
| Launch Minister | Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ |
| Target Audience | Students and faculty in Higher Education Institutions |
| Monitoring Bodies | Ministry of Education, AICTE, Innovation Cell |
| Key Initiatives | IP Clinic, Online Awareness, National IP Literacy Week, Funding support |
| Objectives | Promote IP awareness, Encourage patent filing, Financial assistance, Recognize innovation, Promote self-reliance |
| IIC Coverage | 1,700 HEIs, expanding to 5,000 under IIC 3.0 |
| Expected Outcome | At least 10,000 patent applications annually |
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Questions Based on KAPILA Kalam Program
- Who launched the KAPILA Kalam Program?
a) Dr. Harsh Vardhan
b) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
c) Prakash Javadekar
d) Piyush Goyal
e) Nitin Gadkari - The KAPILA Kalam Program was launched to promote awareness in which field?
a) Science and Technology
b) Intellectual Property
c) Defence Technology
d) Environmental Protection
e) Space Technology - The launch of KAPILA marks the birth anniversary of which personality?
a) Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad
b) APJ Abdul Kalam
c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
d) Deen Dayal Upadhyay
e) Jawaharlal Nehru - What is the full form of KAPILA?
a) Kalam Program for Innovation and Learning Advancement
b) Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness
c) Knowledge Advancement Program for Innovation and Leadership
d) Kalam Initiative for Patents and Learning Awareness
e) Knowledge and Awareness Program for Innovation Leadership - When is National Intellectual Property Literacy Week celebrated?
a) January 15–23
b) October 1–7
c) October 15–23
d) November 1–7
e) December 1–7 - Which ministry monitors the KAPILA program?
a) Ministry of Science and Technology
b) Ministry of Education
c) Ministry of Commerce
d) Ministry of Law and Justice
e) Ministry of Finance - How many IICs are currently established under KAPILA?
a) 500
b) 1,000
c) 1,700
d) 3,000
e) 5,000 - Which of the following is NOT an initiative under KAPILA?
a) IP Clinic
b) Online Awareness Program
c) National IP Literacy Week
d) National Space Awareness Program
e) Case Studies and Articles - Which of the following is a key objective of KAPILA?
a) Promote sports in universities
b) Encourage patent filing
c) Increase literacy rates
d) Reduce taxation
e) Promote agriculture - Under KAPILA, approximately how many patent applications are expected annually?
a) 1,000
b) 5,000
c) 10,000
d) 15,000
e) 20,000
Answer Key
| Question No. | Answer |
| 1 | b) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank |
| 2 | b) Intellectual Property |
| 3 | b) APJ Abdul Kalam |
| 4 | b) Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness |
| 5 | c) October 15–23 |
| 6 | b) Ministry of Education |
| 7 | c) 1,700 |
| 8 | d) National Space Awareness Program |
| 9 | b) Encourage patent filing |
| 10 | c) 10,000 |
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