Timelines and the first deadlines that apply to you

Deadlines decide more cases than arguments do.

• Before disclosure: file at least a provisional application before any talk, poster, publication, demo or sale. India has only narrow grace exceptions (Section 31 — display at a notified exhibition or a paper read before a learned society, within 12 months), so do not rely on them.
• Provisional → complete specification: 12 months (Section 9).
• Foreign filing / PCT: claim priority within 12 months of the first filing (Paris Convention); designs and trade marks: 6 months. PCT national phase in India: 31 months from priority.
• Publication: 18 months from priority (Section 11A); early publication can be requested.
• Request for examination: must be filed, with a time limit measured from the priority date (shortened to 31 months by the 2024 Rules for new applications; check the current rule for your filing date). No request, no examination.
• First Examination Report: reply within the period stated (currently 6 months, extendable by up to 3).
• Renewal: annual fees from the third year to keep a granted patent alive.

The portal's deadline tracker records these for matters MYCrave files. For your own exercise, write the first three dates that apply to your idea.