The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has issued the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025, which updates the fee structure for various applications under the Geographical Indications (GI) Act, 1999. These rules come into force on November 3, 2025.
The amendment substitutes the entire First Schedule of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002, detailing the new amounts payable for numerous applications, opposition proceedings, and administrative changes.
Key Fee Structure Updates
The revised fee structure maintains or adjusts specific charges for registering and maintaining GI rights, streamlining the cost for applicants:
Registration of a GI
The application fee for the registration of a geographical indication for goods included in one class remains Rs 1,000. This same rate applies for applications from a convention country and for single applications covering multiple classes (Rs 1,000 for each class).
Opposition and Counter-Statement
The fee for filing a notice of opposition to the registration of a GI or a counter-statement in answer to such opposition is set at Rs 1,000 (for each class).
Authorized User Registration and Renewal
The fee for the registration of an authorized user of a registered GI and the subsequent renewal of an authorized user are kept low at Rs 10.
Renewal of GI Registration
The fee for the renewal of a geographical indication at the expiration of the last registration is set at Rs 500.
Administrative and Exceptional Fees
The new schedule also codifies fees for various administrative actions, intellectual property protection, and handling contested proceedings:
- Restoration of GI: An application for the restoration of a removed GI or authorized user now costs Rs 1,000 plus the applicable renewal fees.
- Rectification/Removal: The fee for application for the rectification of the register or removal of a geographical indication or authorized user is Rs 1,000.
- Additional Protection: The fee for seeking additional protection for certain goods under section 22(2) is Rs 12,000.
- Search and Inspection: Fees for inspecting documents related to a particular GI are set at Rs 100 per hour or part thereof.
The revised fee structure applies to all applications and procedures under the Act, effective from November 3, 2025.