A provisional patent is an early filing of a patent application that establishes a priority date for an invention under the Patents Act, 1970. It allows inventors to secure legal protection for their creation before submitting the complete specification with detailed claims. This filing is particularly useful when the invention is still under development or testing, as it provides a one-year window to file a complete patent application. The provisional patent application includes a brief description of the invention, drawings (if necessary), and basic technical details, but does not require full claims or formal examination at this stage. Filing a provisional patent helps prevent others from claiming the invention and establishes the inventor’s priority date. Within 12 months, the inventor must file the complete specification to obtain a permanent patent. Professional guidance is recommended to prepare accurate documentation, manage the transition from provisional to complete patent, and ensure compliance with deadlines. Provisional patents encourage innovation by providing early protection while allowing time for refinement, testing, and strategic planning for commercialization.