Rules 157 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 157 and 158 are the last numbered rules. Rule 157 (Part V) fixes the language of the Trade Marks Registry and the limited use of Hindi. Rule 158 (Part VI) repeals the Trade Marks Rules, 2002, without prejudice to what was done under them.
The language of the Trade Marks Registry is English, but parties may file documents in Hindi if they wish (rule 157(1)). Where the Registrar permits Hindi in proceedings and hearings, he may direct an English translation of pleadings and documents; at a Registry located in "Region A" under the Official Languages Rules, 1976, he may make final orders in Hindi or English (second proviso). If a final order is made in Hindi, an authenticated English translation is simultaneously prepared and kept on record (rule 157(2)). The Trade Marks Rules, 2002 are repealed, without prejudice to anything done under them before the 2017 Rules came into force (rule 158).
How the rules fit
The Rules were made under section 157 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 (the power to make rules); see our article on Section 157. The repeal of the earlier regime and the savings for what had been done under it are paralleled at Act level by Section 159, which repeals the 1958 Act. Rule 157 itself does not name an Act section, so this article does not assume one. If you need to file in Hindi or are unsure which Rules governed a step taken years ago, our legal consultation team can help.
Rule 157(1): English, with room for Hindi
"The language of the Trade Marks Registry shall be English".
That is the base rule. Then two provisos.
First proviso: filing in Hindi
"Provided that the parties to a proceedings before the Trade Marks Registry may file documents drawn up in Hindi, if they so desire".
- Who: "the parties to a proceedings".
- What: documents drawn up in Hindi.
- Condition: "if they so desire". Filing in Hindi is optional.
The proviso does not say that the Registry must accept a document in any language other than English or Hindi. Rule 49, on translation of documents in other languages in opposition proceedings, deals with that (an attested translation in Hindi or English).
Second proviso: Hindi in proceedings and final orders
"Provided further that where-
(a) the Registrar permits the use of Hindi in the proceedings of the Tribunal and hearing in such proceedings, he may in his discretion direct English translation of pleadings and documents to be filed;
(b) the Trade Marks Registry located in 'Region A' as defined in clause (f) of rule 2 of the Official Languages (Use for Official Purposes of the Union) Rules, 1976, the Registrar may, in his discretion, make final orders either in Hindi or in English."
| Clause | Condition | Registrar's discretion |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Registrar permits the use of Hindi in the proceedings and hearing | May direct an English translation of pleadings and documents to be filed |
| (b) | The Registry is located in "Region A" as defined in rule 2(f) of the Official Languages (Use for Official Purposes of the Union) Rules, 1976 | May make final orders in Hindi or in English |
Drafting notes. Clause (a) speaks of "the proceedings of the Tribunal", although the rule is about the Registry; the word looks like carried over from other rules. Clause (b) is an incomplete sentence ("the Trade Marks Registry located in 'Region A' ..."); the sense is that where the Registry is located in Region A, the Registrar may make final orders in either language. The Rules do not list which Registry offices fall in "Region A"; that follows from the Official Languages Rules, 1976, which this article does not describe.
Rule 157(2): the English translation
"Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (1), where a final order is made in Hindi, an authenticated English translation thereof shall simultaneously be prepared and kept on record."
- Trigger: a final order made in Hindi.
- Duty: an authenticated English translation "shall simultaneously be prepared and kept on record".
- The rule says "kept on record". It does not say that the translation must be served on the parties, and the text is silent on that.
An invented example: Mohan Lal files an opposition document in Hindi with the Registry in a Region A city. Under the first proviso he is at liberty to do so. The Registrar permits the hearing in Hindi and directs English translations of the pleadings. The final order is made in Hindi, and an authenticated English translation is prepared at the same time and kept on the Registry record.
Rule 158: repeal
"The Trade Marks Rules, 2002, are hereby repealed without prejudice to anything done under such rules before the coming into force of these rules."
Elements:
- What is repealed: the Trade Marks Rules, 2002.
- Effect: the 2017 Rules replace them. The Rules came into force on publication in the Gazette, under rule 1(2) (see the article on rule 1 in this series).
- Savings: the repeal is "without prejudice to anything done under such rules before the coming into force of these rules". Acts done, such as applications made and registrations granted under the 2002 Rules, are not undone by the repeal.
The rule does not contain detailed transitional provisions: it does not say how a pending proceeding under the 2002 Rules is carried on under the 2017 Rules, or which forms apply to it. One transitional provision that does appear is rule 143(1), which deems agents on the old register to be registered. The reader should check the Registry's practice and later amendments for other transitional questions.
For this reason, material that uses the form numbers of the 2002 Rules describes the Rules that rule 158 repealed; the 2017 forms are TM-A, TM-M, TM-R, TM-C, TM-O, TM-P, TM-U and TM-G.
Rules 157 and 158 at a glance
| Rule | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 157(1) | Language of the Registry | English; parties may file documents in Hindi |
| 157(1) second proviso (a) | Hindi in proceedings | Registrar may direct English translation of pleadings and documents |
| 157(1) second proviso (b) | Region A | Registrar may make final orders in Hindi or English |
| 157(2) | Final order in Hindi | Authenticated English translation prepared simultaneously and kept on record |
| 158 | Repeal | Trade Marks Rules, 2002 repealed, without prejudice to things done earlier |
Need help with language or transition questions?
Questions about filing in Hindi, or about which Rules governed an old application, are better settled early. TaxClue's legal consultation team can review your file, the date of the steps taken and the forms used.
Key takeaways
- The language of the Trade Marks Registry is English, but parties may file in Hindi (rule 157(1)).
- The Registrar may direct an English translation where Hindi is permitted, and in a Region A office may make final orders in Hindi or English.
- A Hindi final order is accompanied by an authenticated English translation kept on record (rule 157(2)).
- The Trade Marks Rules, 2002 are repealed, without prejudice to things done under them earlier (rule 158).
- The text of rule 157(1) contains drafting slips; read it as explained above.
- This text is the Rules as notified on 6 March 2017; check later amendments.
Read next
- Rules 154–156: Alteration in register of agents, publication and appeal
- First Schedule: Fees for applications, oppositions, renewals and other matters
- Section 159: Repeal of the 1958 Act and Savings
Disclaimer: Based on the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 as notified on 6 March 2017, as consulted on 1 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.