Rules 14 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.
Rule 14 lays down how amendments to a provisional or complete specification, or to its drawings, are physically made and filed. Rule 15 sets the format of drawings. Rule 16 says that models or samples are furnished only when the Controller requires them. Together they are the working rules for the paper side of a specification.
Amended pages must be retyped to form a continuous document, accompanied by a marked copy and a statement of the portion amended with the reason (rule 14). Drawings go on A4 sheets with margins of at least 4 cm top and left and 3 cm bottom and right, on a scale large enough to show the invention, with no dimensions and no descriptive matter except in flow diagrams (rule 15). Models or samples are furnished only when the Controller requires them (rule 16).
Rule 14: amendments to specifications
Rule 14 deals with how a change is presented. It does not decide whether an amendment is allowed; that depends on the Act and on rules 81 to 83, covered in our article on amendment of application and specification and in the Act-side guide on section 57 (amendment before the Controller).
| Sub-rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| (1) | When amendments are made to a provisional or complete specification or any drawing accompanying it, the pages incorporating the amendments shall be retyped and submitted to form a continuous document |
| (2) | A marked copy clearly identifying the amendments, and a statement clearly indicating the portion (page number and line number) of the specification or drawing being amended along with the reason, shall also be filed |
| (3) | Amendments shall not be made by slips pasted on, or as footnotes, or by writing in the margin of any of the documents |
| (4) | When a retyped page or pages are submitted, the corresponding earlier page is deemed superseded and cancelled by the applicant |
Sub-rule (2) works with the line numbering required by rule 9(1)(d): because every fifth line of the description and claims is numbered, the statement of "page number and line number" can pinpoint the change. See rules 8 and 9.
Sub-rule (4) has a practical edge. Once a retyped page is filed, the earlier page is treated as cancelled. So the retyped page must carry everything that remains valid on that page, not only the changed words.
For general guidance on changing claims during prosecution, see our guide on claims amendment during examination and after grant.
If you are planning changes after a first examination report, our patent drafting and filing service can prepare retyped pages and the marked copy together.
Rule 15: drawings
Rule 15 sets seven requirements.
- With the specification. Drawings furnished under section 10 by the applicant otherwise than on a requisition made by the Controller shall accompany the specification to which they relate (sub-rule (1)).
- Not inside the specification. No drawing or sketch that would require a special illustration of the specification shall appear in the specification itself (sub-rule (2)).
- Durable copy. At least one copy of the drawing shall be prepared neatly and clearly on a durable paper sheet (sub-rule (3)).
- A4 and margins. Drawings shall be on standard A4 size sheets with a clear margin of at least 4 cm on the top and left-hand and 3 cm at the bottom and right-hand of every sheet (sub-rule (4)).
- Scale and dimensions. Drawings shall be on a scale sufficiently large to show the invention clearly, and dimensions shall not be marked on the drawings (sub-rule (5)).
- Numbering and markings. Drawings shall be sequentially or systematically numbered and shall bear (i) in the left-hand top corner, the name of the applicant; (ii) in the right-hand top corner, the number of the sheets of drawings and the consecutive number of each sheet; and (iii) in the right-hand bottom corner, the signature of the applicant or agent (sub-rule (6)).
- No descriptive matter. No descriptive matter shall appear on the drawings except in flow diagrams (sub-rule (7)).
The same 4 cm and 3 cm margins appear in rule 9(1)(b) for documents. Rule 13(4) requires the drawings to be referred to in detail in the specification and the claims, with reference signs in parentheses; see our article on rule 13.
| Position on the sheet | What it carries |
|---|---|
| Left-hand top corner | Name of the applicant |
| Right-hand top corner | Number of the sheets, and consecutive number of each sheet |
| Right-hand bottom corner | Signature of the applicant or agent |
The rule says dimensions shall not be marked on drawings, so a drawing that shows measurements in millimetres on the figure falls outside the rule. Descriptive text is also kept off the drawings; the only stated exception is flow diagrams, where words naturally appear in the boxes. A block diagram that uses words in boxes is not mentioned by the rule; the text is silent on it and only flow diagrams are named as an exception.
For the Act side, see our articles on section 10 (claims, abstract and biological material) and the guide to the complete specification draft template.
Rule 16: models
Rule 16 consists of one sub-rule: models or samples shall be furnished under section 10 only when required by the Controller. The applicant does not file a model or sample with the application on its own initiative. The rule gives no form, number of items or time limit; those depend on the Controller's requirement in the matter.
A worked example
Crestline Hydraulics receives an examination report that requires changes to claim 4 and Figure 3. The attorney retypes the pages with the new claim 4 and the revised Fig. 3 so that they form a continuous document with the rest of the specification. The company also files a marked copy that identifies the changes and a statement naming the page and line number of claim 4 with the reason for the change. The old pages are deemed superseded and cancelled once the retyped pages are filed (rule 14(4)). The revised drawing sheet is prepared on A4 with margins of 4 cm top and left and 3 cm bottom and right, the applicant's name at top left, "Sheet 2 of 3" at top right and the agent's signature at bottom right, with no dimensions marked on it.
Later the Controller asks for a physical sample of the device. Because rule 16 allows models or samples only when the Controller requires them, the company furnishes the sample on that requirement.
Checklist before filing amendments or drawings
- Retype every page that carries an amendment.
- Prepare a marked copy and a statement with page and line number and the reason.
- Do not paste slips, add footnotes or write in margins.
- Use A4 sheets and the 4 cm and 3 cm margins for drawings.
- Put the applicant's name, the sheet numbers and the signature in the three stated corners.
- Leave out dimensions and descriptive matter, other than in flow diagrams.
- Furnish models or samples only when the Controller requires.
Need help with amendments and drawings?
Formal defects in amendments and drawings can add rounds of correspondence. If you want your retyped pages, marked copy and drawing sheets prepared in the format these rules require, our patent drafting and filing support can help.
Key takeaways
- Amended pages are retyped to form a continuous document, with a marked copy and a statement of page, line and reason.
- Amendments by pasted slips, footnotes or margin notes are not allowed.
- Drawings are on A4 with 4 cm and 3 cm margins, no dimensions and no descriptive matter except in flow diagrams.
- The applicant name, sheet numbers and signature go in fixed corners.
- Models or samples come only on the Controller's requirement.
- Check amendments after the Second Amendment Rules, 2024.
Read next
- Rule 13: specifications, Form 2, divisional and declaration of inventorship
- Rules 8 and 9: forms and filing of documents and copies
- Rules 81 to 83: amendment of application and specification
- Patent specification (complete): draft template and guide
Disclaimer: Based on the Patents Rules, 2003 as consolidated up to 21 September 2021 and as amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2024 and the Patents (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024, 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.