CGPDTM Recruitment Exam
Introduction
*Patent / Design Examiner recruitment by IP India*
The CGPDTM Recruitment Exam is used to recruit Examiners of Patents and Designs and other Group B/C posts in the intellectual property administration setup of India. CGPDTM stands for Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, and the recruitment is conducted to fill technical and legal roles that evaluate patent and design applications.
This recruitment opens a career path in the IP ecosystem, especially for candidates who want to work as:
- Patent Examiner
- Design Examiner
- Other related Group B/C posts in the IP office
Exam Snapshot
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full form | Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks |
| Department | Office of CGPDTM (IP India) |
| Post types covered | Examiner of Patents & Designs, other Group B/C posts |
| Mode of application | Online |
| Frequency | As-notified |
| Basic eligibility | Relevant engineering/science degree for Examiner posts; degree for other posts |
| Salary / pay level | Level 7–8 (₹44,900–₹1,42,400) plus allowances |
| Selection stages | Written exam (CBT) → Interview / document verification |
About the Exam
CGPDTM is the authority that supports the administration of patents, designs, and trademarks in India through the IP office. The recruitment exists because the office needs qualified professionals to examine patent and design applications and handle related administrative work.
The recruitment is especially important for candidates from technical backgrounds because the examiner roles require domain knowledge in science and engineering.
Important Dates Archive
2023–24 Recruitment Cycle
- Notification year: 2023
- Exam year: 2024
- Result year: 2024
2018 Recruitment Cycle
- Notification year: 2018
- Exam year: 2019
- Result year: 2019
2016 Recruitment Cycle
- Notification year: 2016
- Exam year: 2016
- Result year: 2017
2015 Recruitment Cycle
- Notification year: 2015
- Exam year: 2015
- Result year: 2016
2014 Recruitment Cycle
- Notification year: 2014
- Exam year: 2014
- Result year: 2015
Vacancy History
2023–24
| Year | Total Posts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 553 | Examiners and other posts |
Historical Vacancy Trend
| Year | Total Posts |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 500 |
| 2016 | 450 |
| 2015 | 400 |
| 2014 | 400 |
- Examiner of Patents & Designs
- Other Group B/C posts
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Examiner posts: BE/BTech or equivalent in a relevant engineering or science discipline
- Other posts: Degree as prescribed in the recruitment notice
Age Limit
- General category: 21 to 35 years
- Relaxations: As per Government of India rules
Nationality
- Indian citizen
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | As per Government rules |
| SC | As per Government rules |
| ST | As per Government rules |
| EWS | No separate age relaxation beyond applicable rules |
| PwBD | As per Government rules |
| Ex-servicemen | As per Government rules |
Reservation Policy
Reservation is followed as per Government of India norms.
Category Reservation
- General
- OBC
- SC
- ST
- EWS
Horizontal Reservation
- PwBD
- Ex-servicemen
Exam Pattern
Selection Stages
1. Written exam (CBT)
2. Interview / document verification
Written Exam Structure
| Stage | Papers | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam (CBT) | General + Technical | 300 | 3 hours | 1/3 mark deduction |
| Interview | — | 100 | — | — |
Flow of Selection
- Candidates appear for the CBT.
- Shortlisted candidates are called for the next stage.
- Final processing includes interview and document verification as per the notice.
Selection Process
The selection process generally follows this sequence:
1. Online application submission
2. Written examination
3. Shortlisting based on exam performance
4. Interview
5. Document verification
6. Final appointment as per merit and eligibility
Syllabus
General Section
- General aptitude
- Reasoning
- English
Technical / Domain Section
- Engineering or science subject relevant to the applied post
- Core concepts from the candidate’s graduation discipline
- Applied technical knowledge relevant to patents and designs
Preparation Focus
For Examiner posts, candidates should prioritize:
- Their core engineering/science subjects
- Logical reasoning
- Quantitative aptitude
- English comprehension and grammar
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the official IP India portal.
Basic Application Steps
1. Visit https://ipindia.gov.in**
2. Open the recruitment notification
3. Register with valid details
4. Fill the application form carefully
5. Upload documents in the prescribed format
6. Pay the fee
7. Submit and save the confirmation page
Important Documents
- Educational certificates
- Identity proof
- Photograph and signature
- Category certificate, if applicable
- PwBD / ex-servicemen documents, if applicable
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering incorrect educational details
- Using an invalid email ID or phone number
- Uploading improper photo/signature files
- Missing the final submission after fee payment
Application Fee
The application fee for CGPDTM recruitment is generally in the range of:
- ₹500–₹1000
Check the official notification for the exact fee applicable to the post and category.
Salary and Service Conditions
Pay Structure
- Pay Level: Level 7–8
- Pay Matrix: ₹44,900–₹1,42,400
- Allowances: As admissible under Central Government rules
Career Prospects
The job offers a technical government career with structured growth, departmental responsibilities, and promotion opportunities.
Cutoff Archive
Cutoff marks are typically released category-wise along with results. The cutoff varies by:
- Category
- Post
- Exam cycle
- Number of vacancies
- Difficulty level
Because cutoffs are officially published with each recruitment result, candidates should check the relevant result notice on the IP India website.
Preparation
A focused 4–6 month preparation plan works well for this exam.
Study Strategy
- Start with your core technical subjects
- Revise reasoning and English regularly
- Practice previous technical concepts from graduation
- Solve mock tests for time management
- Review IP-related awareness from official recruitment notices
Recommended Resources
- Standard graduation textbooks in engineering or science
- Reasoning practice books
- English grammar and comprehension books
- Mock tests for CBT preparation
Career Path
A typical career progression in this recruitment stream is:
Patent Examiner → Senior Examiner → Controller
This makes the role attractive for candidates seeking a long-term technical-administrative government career.
Official Sources
- IP India official website: https://ipindia.gov.in
- Official notices and recruitment updates: https://ipindia.gov.in
FAQs
1. What is the CGPDTM Recruitment Exam?
It is a recruitment process for filling Examiner and related Group B/C posts under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
2. Who conducts the CGPDTM Recruitment Exam?
The exam is conducted by CGPDTM under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
3. What posts are filled through CGPDTM recruitment?
It fills Examiner of Patents & Designs posts and other Group B/C posts in the IP office.
4. Is the CGPDTM Recruitment Exam open to all India candidates?
Yes. The recruitment is open to candidates across India, subject to eligibility conditions.
5. What is the official website for CGPDTM recruitment?
The official website is https://ipindia.gov.in.
6. What educational qualification is required for Patent Examiner posts?
For Examiner posts, candidates generally need BE/BTech or an equivalent degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline.
7. What is the age limit for CGPDTM recruitment?
The age limit is generally 21 to 35 years for General category candidates.
8. Are age relaxations available for reserved categories?
Yes. Age relaxations are available as per Government of India rules for eligible categories.
9. What is the selection process for CGPDTM recruitment?
The selection process includes a written exam, followed by interview and document verification.
10. Is there a written exam for CGPDTM recruitment?
Yes. The recruitment includes a written CBT.
11. Is there an interview stage in CGPDTM recruitment?
Yes. The process includes an interview stage after the written exam.
12. What is the exam pattern for CGPDTM recruitment?
The written exam includes General and Technical papers, with a total of 300 marks and 3 hours duration.
13. Is there negative marking in the CGPDTM written exam?
Yes. The written exam has negative marking of 1/3 mark.
14. What subjects are included in the CGPDTM syllabus?
The syllabus includes general aptitude, reasoning, English, and technical/domain subjects relevant to the post.
15. What is the pay level for CGPDTM Examiner posts?
The pay level is Level 7–8, with a pay scale of ₹44,900–₹1,42,400 plus allowances.
16. How can I apply for CGPDTM recruitment?
You can apply online through the official IP India website after the recruitment notification is released.
17. What is the application fee for CGPDTM recruitment?
The application fee is generally in the range of ₹500–₹1000, depending on the notice.
18. How many vacancies were announced in the last major recruitment cycle?
The 2023–24 recruitment cycle announced 553 posts.
19. What is the career growth after joining as a Patent Examiner?
Career growth can move from Patent Examiner to Senior Examiner and then to Controller.
20. Where can I check official notices and updates for CGPDTM recruitment?
You can check all official notices and updates on https://ipindia.gov.in.