Draft Amendments to Geographical Indications Rules, 2025 Announced by DPIIT

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has released the Draft Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 on 11 August 2025. These proposed changes amend the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 to update the fee schedule and procedural aspects for various GI-related activities. The revised First Schedule outlines new fees for applications, renewals, oppositions, authorised user registrations, rectifications, and GI agent registrations. Separate provisions have been introduced for domestic and convention country applications, with class-wise fee structures for single and multiple class filings. 
Charges have also been rationalised for administrative changes, such as corrections in name or address, and for services like searches, certified copies, and duplicate certificates. Additional updates include specified charges for interventions, extensions of time, review applications, and requests for additional protection to certain goods. The amendments aim to bring greater clarity, ensure transparent cost structures, and align GI processes with current trade and intellectual property practices. These changes are expected to make Geographical Indication registration and protection in India more streamlined, efficient, and supportive of traditional product recognition.