Introduction
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through its Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has notified the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 on November 3, 2025.
This significant amendment modernizes and streamlines the procedural framework governing the registration, renewal, and protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) in India, a vital tool for safeguarding products with unique geographical origins and qualities. Additionally, the New Rules provide for revised fee structure that has substantially reduced the official fees for various aspects of GI filing and registration.
Hence, amendments mark a decisive step towards ease of doing business, transparency, and digitization in the GI regime, aligning India’s system with global best practices.
Background
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and the accompanying Rules of 2002 form the cornerstone of India’s GI protection framework, providing legal recognition to products that derive their uniqueness from specific geographical regions.
In an effort to rationalize the filing process, update outdated fee structures, and simplify procedural compliance, the DPIIT had earlier released a draft notification (G.S.R. 542(E)) on August 11, 2025, inviting public comments.
After due consideration of stakeholder feedback, the Central Government has now finalized and notified the Amendment Rules, 2025.
The principal change introduced is the substitution of the First Schedule, which now prescribes a revised and comprehensive fee structure along with corresponding form numbers for every procedural step under the GI framework.
Key Highlights of the Amendment
- The First Schedule for the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 has been replaced entirely.
- The new Schedule provides a consolidated fee matrix covering applications, oppositions, renewals, rectifications, corrections, and other filings.
Reduction in Fees: A Move Toward Accessibility
One of the most notable aspects of the Amendment Rules, 2025 is the substantial reduction in statutory fees across several key categories.
- The application fee for registration of a GI has been slashed by 80%, from ₹5,000 to ₹1,000 while renewal fees have dropped from ₹3,000 to ₹500.
- Similarly, the fee for seeking additional protection for certain goods under Section 22(2) has been reduced from ₹25,000 to ₹12,000.
This fee rationalization reflects the Government’s commitment to enhancing accessibility, particularly for small producers, cooperatives, and community organizations that often represent traditional and rural artisans.
By lowering the procedural costs, the reform is expected to encourage wider participation in the GI registration system, supporting India’s cultural economy and export potential.
Fees Changed Compared to GI Rules of 2002[1]
| Entry No. | On What Payable | Old Fee (₹) | New Fee (₹) |
| 1A | Application for registration of GI (one class) | 5000 | 1000 |
| 1B | Application for registration from a convention country (one class) | 5000 | 1000 |
| 1C | Application for registration in different classes | 5000 per class | 1000 per class |
| 1D | Application for registration from a convention country (different classes) | 5000 per class | 1000 per class |
| 4A | Renewal of registration of GI | 3000 | 500 |
| 4B | Restoration of GI or authorised user removed from Register | 1000 + renewal fee | 1000 |
| 4C | Renewal under proviso to section 18(4) | 3000 | 1000 |
| 9A | Application for additional protection to certain goods | 25000 | 12000 |
The newly substituted First Schedule can be accessed https://ipindia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/Images/pdf/GAZETTE_NOTIFICATION_AMENDED_GI_RULES_2025.pdf
Significance of the Amended Rules
The Amendment represents a proactive reform to:
- Enhance accessibility and user-friendliness of the GI Registry procedures.
- Foster international recognition and compliance with TRIPS and WIPO standards.
- Strengthen legal certainty and administrative consistency for producers, associations, and applicants.
This update is particularly relevant for stakeholders involved in the registration, opposition, or renewal of GIs and authorized user certifications.[2]
Separate provisions and forms are introduced for:
- Applications from Convention Countries
- Authorised Users
- Additional Protection to certain goods under Section 22(2)
- Rectification, Review, and Cancellation requests
The structure has been designed to improve clarity, uniformity, and efficiency in administration of the GI system.
[1] https://ssrana.in/ip-laws/geographical-indication-india/geographical-indication-fee-india/