Rules 106 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Rules 106 to 110 describe the path from applying to be a geographical indications agent to holding a certificate and staying on the register. They cover where and how to apply, the examination and interview, the certificate in Form O-4 and the yearly continuance fee.
Applications in this Part are made in triplicate at the Registry office within whose territorial limits the applicant's principal place of business lies. The application is on Form GI-8. If the Registrar is satisfied the applicant is qualified, there is a written examination and interview: qualifying marks 40 per cent and 50 per cent, and an aggregate of 50 per cent. After intimation, the applicant pays the fee, is entered in the register and receives a certificate on Form O-4. Continuance on the register depends on the Form GI-8 fees.
Where these rules sit
Rules 104 and 105 decide who is qualified or debarred; see our article on rules 104 and 105. Rules 106 to 110 supply the procedure. Rules 111 to 113 deal with removal and restoration; see our article on rules 111 to 113. The Act's provision on agents is explained in our article on sections 74 to 76 of the GI Act.
A candidate planning the process often takes legal consultation on the documents and the examination syllabus before applying.
Rule 106: manner of making the application
"Subject to sub-rule (2) of rule 4, all applications under the provisions of this Part shall be made in triplicate, and shall be sent to or left at that office of the Geographical Indications Registry within whose territorial limits the principal place of business of the applicant is situate."
Two requirements: triplicate, and the office covering the applicant's principal place of business. The reference to rule 4(2) means that the Head Office rule for sending and paying applies in the way set out in that sub-rule.
Rule 107: the application on Form GI-8
Rule 107(1): "Every person desiring to be registered as a Geographical Indications Agent shall make an application on Form GI-8." Rule 107(2): "The applicant shall furnish such further information bearing on his application as may be required of him at any time by the Registrar."
Form GI-8 Part A asks for: a certificate of character; a declaration of freedom from the disabilities in clauses (i) to (vi) of rule 105; name in full; address of residence; principal place of business; father's name; nationality; date and place of birth; occupation; particulars of qualifications; and whether the applicant was ever removed from the register of agents, with reasons. The instructions to Forms GI-8A to GI-8D add that the character certificate should be from an unrelated person who is a District Magistrate, a Chief Presidency Magistrate or the Chief Administrative Officer of the district of residence, or any other person the Registrar considers fit, and that original diplomas and documents or copies attested by a magistrate, a notary public or a J.P. must accompany the application.
Two drafting slips in the form text should be noted. The form says the applicant applies "for registration as a trade marks agent", and it refers to "the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2000". Read them as references to a geographical indications agent and to the Rules of 2002. We do not correct them silently.
The fee is entry 8A of the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025: "application for registration of a geographical indication agent ", Form GI-8, Rs. 1,000.
Rule 108: examination and interview
Rule 108(1): "On receipt of an application for the registration of a person as a geographical indications agent, the Registrar, if satisfied that the applicant fulfils the prescribed qualifications, shall appoint a date in the due course on which the candidate will appear before him for a written examination in Geographical Indications Law and the Practice and Procedure in relation thereto and followed by an interview. The candidate will be expected to possess a detailed knowledge of the provisions of the Act and the rules and a knowledge of the elements on law of geographical indication."
Rule 108(2): "The qualifying mark for the written examination and for interview shall be 40 percent and 50 percent respectively and a candidate shall be declared to have passed the examination only if he obtained an aggregate of 50 per cent of the total marks."
| Stage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Written examination | 40 per cent |
| Interview | 50 per cent |
| Aggregate of total marks | 50 per cent |
A candidate must reach all three thresholds. Scoring 50 per cent overall does not rescue a written paper below 40 per cent. The rule does not say what the total marks are, how marks are split between paper and interview, or how often examinations are held. The syllabus is described only as the Act, the Rules, practice and procedure and the elements of the law of geographical indication. Under rule 104(iii), an Advocate does not need to take the examination.
Rule 109: certificate of registration
"After a candidate has been interviewed and any further information bearing on his application, which the Registrar may consider necessary has been obtained and if the Registrar considers the applicant eligible and qualified for registration as a geographical indications agent, he shall send an intimation to that effect to the applicant and any person so intimated may pay the prescribed fee in Form GI-8 for his registration as a Geographical Indications Agent. Upon receipt of the same, fee the Registrar shall cause the applicant's name to be entered in the register of Geographical Indications Agents and shall issue to him a certificate on Form O-4 of his registration as a Geographical Indications Agents."
The sequence:
- Interview and any further information.
- Registrar considers the applicant eligible and qualified.
- Intimation sent to the applicant.
- Applicant pays the prescribed fee in Form GI-8 (Part B, "request for issuance of certificate as a Geographical Indications Agent").
- Name entered in the register and certificate issued on Form O-4.
The fee for step 4 is entry 8B of the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025: "on request for issuance of certificate as geographical indications agent ", Form GI-8, Rs. 1,000. Form O-4 is the certificate of registration as Geographical Indications Agent and says the person "was registered ... in the Register of Geographical Indication Agent maintained under rule-102". The Third Schedule list cites "Rule 102" for Form O-4 while the form itself says rule 109; follow rule 109, where the certificate is provided for.
Rule 110: continuance
"The continuance of a person's name in the Register of Geographical Indications Agents shall be subject to his payment of the fees prescribed in Form GI-8."
Entry 8C of the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025 is the continuance fee. The entry has two limbs and prints one amount, Rs. 1,000: (i) for every year (excluding the first year), to be paid on 1 April in each year; (ii) for the first year, to be paid along with the fee for registration in the case of a person registered at any time between 1 April and 30 September. A note says the year commences on 1 April and ends on 31 March. Form GI-8 Part C is the request for continuance of the name, for the stated period. Rule 111(1)(b) later provides for removal where the annual fee is not received within three months of its due date; see our article on rules 111 to 113.
Process at a glance
| Step | Rule | Form and fee entry |
|---|---|---|
| Application in triplicate at the right office | 106, 107 | Form GI-8 Part A, entry 8A |
| Written examination and interview | 108 | Qualifying marks 40%, 50%, aggregate 50% |
| Intimation, then payment | 109 | Form GI-8 Part B, entry 8B |
| Entry in register, certificate | 109 | Form O-4 |
| Yearly continuance | 110 | Form GI-8 Part C, entry 8C |
An example
Kabir Menon, a graduate and Indian citizen aged 28, submits Form GI-8 Part A in triplicate at the Registry office covering his principal place of business, with a character certificate and attested qualification copies. The Registrar, satisfied of his qualifications, fixes a date for the written examination and interview. Kabir scores 45 per cent in the paper and 55 per cent in the interview, with an aggregate above 50 per cent. He is intimated, pays the entry 8B amount on Form GI-8 Part B, and receives a Form O-4 certificate. Each 1 April he pays the continuance fee under rule 110.
What the rules do not say
- No period is fixed for the Registrar to appoint the examination date or to intimate the result.
- The total marks are not stated.
- The text does not say what happens to a candidate who fails; any re-examination arrangement would need to be checked with the Registry.
Amendments made after November 2025 should be checked before acting.
Need help with registering as a GI agent?
The application, the character certificate and the attested documents all have to be in order before the Registry fixes the examination. Our legal consultation team can review your documents and explain what each stage requires.
Key takeaways
- Applications under Part II are in triplicate at the office covering the applicant's principal place of business.
- Form GI-8 Part A is the application (entry 8A, Rs. 1,000 as per the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025).
- Written examination and interview: 40 per cent and 50 per cent minimum, 50 per cent aggregate.
- After intimation, pay on Form GI-8 Part B (entry 8B, Rs. 1,000) and receive a Form O-4 certificate.
- Continuance depends on payment under entry 8C.
- The form text has two slips: "trade marks agent" and "Rules, 2000".
Read next
- Rules 111 to 113: removal, refusal to recognise and restoration of GI agents
- Rules 104 and 105: qualifications and persons debarred
- Rules 102 and 103: register of GI agents and existing trade marks agents
- Sections 74 to 76 of the GI Act: address for service, trade usages and agents
Disclaimer: Based on the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 as notified on 8 March 2002 and as amended by the Amendment Rules of 2020 (G.S.R. 528(E)) and 2025 (G.S.R. 812(E)), as consulted on 2 October 2026. Later amendment rules, forms and fees should be checked in their current form. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.