This review analyzes the evolution and development of India’s intellectual property (IP) regime through a doctrinal, historical,and light-empirical lens. It traces four phases pre-TRIPS reform, TRIPS transition, post-2005 consolidation, and modernization/IPDerashowing how constitutional commitments to public welfare and national innovation goals interact with international obligations.thepaper maps treaty-to-domestic linkages (TRIPS, Berne, Paris, PCT, CBD) and outlines regime-wise frameworks acrosspatents,trademarks, designs, GI/PPV&FR, and semiconductor/topography, grounded in keystone judgments. Doctrinal anchors includeSection3(d)’s enhanced therapeutic efficacy standard, the treatment of biotechnology under Section 3(j), compulsory licensingpractice, prior-user primacy and deceptive similarity in trademarks, originality and substantial similarity in copyright, and forumallocationforvaliditychallenges. Institutionally, the post-2021 transfer of IPAB functions to High Courts and the rise of IP Divisions (IPD)signalspecialization and case-management gains; digitally, John Doe injunctions illustrate adaptive enforcement. Light-empirical trendsfromIPIndia reports contextualize filings, grants, and pendency with acknowledged proxy limits. The paper concludes with targetedreformsforspecialized adjudication, calibrated ADR, strengthened border measures, and data-driven administration, framing a pragmaticbalancebetween innovation incentives and public access. Keywords: Indian IP law, TRIPS flexibilities, Section 3(d) enhanced ef icacy, Compulsory licensing, Transborder reputation, IPDDelhiHigh Court, John Doe injunctions