Step 1: Understanding the Patent Act.
The Indian Patents Act, 1970 was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to patents in India. It provides the legal framework for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the form of patents. The Act came into force on 20th April, 1972.
Step 2: Explanation of Other Options.
- (b) 1975: Incorrect — no major enactment took place in this year.
- (c) 1996: Incorrect — this was the period of amendments to bring Indian patent law in compliance with the WTO–TRIPS Agreement, not the year of enactment.
- (d) 1966: Incorrect — the earlier law governing patents before the 1970 Act was the Indian Patents and Designs Act, 1911.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, the Indian Patents Act became a law in 1970, and it came into force in 1972.