The cornerstone of Indian patent law is the precise determination of what constitutes a patentable invention. This Book 2 of the Patent Agent Exam Series, systematically unpacks the substantive and statutory boundaries of patent eligibility under the Patents Act, 1970. Designed as a comprehensive educational resource for candidates, this text bridges complex statutory interpretation, landmark judicial precedents, and practical application scenarios.

This book begins by dissecting the statutory triad of patentability: novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, alongside the universal prior art boundary and the true and first inventor doctrine. Moving beyond eligibility, it navigates the comprehensive architecture of non-patentable subject matter enumerated in Section 3. Through categorical surveys, it analyzes critical exclusions ranging from mere discoveries and admixtures to methods of medical treatment, essentially biological processes, and anticipation by traditional knowledge.

Additionally, the text addresses specialized prosecution mechanisms, such as the strategic use of Patents of Addition, and explores the transformed legislative landscape governing nuclear energy inventions following the enactment of the SHANTI Act, 2025. To ensure candidates can effectively translate theoretical knowledge into examination success, the module integrates an analysis of related questions from previous question papers to test conceptual clarity.

Operating on a single-source publishing model, this text is designed to act as a living record of Indian patent law. Readers are strongly encouraged to utilize the Ali on Patents companion web platform to access supplementary digital resources, statutory cross-references, and dynamic updates to the legal principles discussed herein.