Rules 50-51 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 50 governs the hearing of an opposition: notice, the fourteen days to say you will appear, ex parte proceedings, limits on adjournments, written arguments and the written decision. Rule 51 lets the Registrar fix, and later raise, the security for costs he may require under section 14(6) of the Act.
After the evidence is complete the Registrar gives notice of a hearing ordinarily within three months, for a date at least one month after the first notice unless the parties consent to shorter notice. A party that does not tell the Registrar within fourteen days of receiving the first notice that it intends to appear is treated as not wishing to be heard, and the Registrar proceeds ex parte. At most two adjournments of one month each may be considered on Form GI-9. Security for costs under section 14(6) may be fixed at any amount the Registrar considers proper (rule 51).
Rule 50(1): notice, fourteen days and ex parte
Rule 50(1) applies "upon completion of the evidence (if any)". The Registrar "shall give notice to the parties of a date when he will hear the arguments in the case". The notice "shall be ordinarily given within three months of completion of the evidence". The date of hearing "shall be for a date at least one month after the date of the first notice, unless the parties consent to a shorter notice".
Then comes the critical sentence: "Within fourteen days from the receipt of the first notice, any party who intends to appear shall so notify the Registrar. Any party who does not so notify the Registrar within the time last aforesaid shall be treated as not desiring to be heard and the Registrar shall proceed ex-parte in the matter."
The fourteen days run from receipt of the first notice, not from the hearing date. A party that waits until the hearing date approaches, and has not notified earlier, risks an ex parte decision. Keep a record of the date of receipt, and send written notice of intention to appear at once; if you want support at the hearing, our legal dispute resolution team can assist. Where the party has an agent, service on the agent counts as service on the party; see our article on authorisation of an agent.
Rule 50(2): adjournments
"If sufficient cause is shown, not more than two request for adjournment for one month each by either the opponent or the applicant to the proceeding may be considered by the Registrar on a request in Form GI-9 accompanied with the grounds for such request." The rule says the fee accompanies the request as prescribed; Form GI-9 is the form for extensions of time, entry 9C of the First Schedule, and the applicant should confirm the applicable entry and amount in the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025.
The rule has several limits: sufficient cause must be shown; the request is "considered", not granted as of right; no more than two requests; each for one month; and each on Form GI-9 with grounds.
Rule 50(3) and (4): non-appearance at the adjourned hearing
- If the applicant is not present at the adjourned date of hearing and has not notified his intention to appear, "the Registrar may treat the application as dismissed".
- If the opponent is not present at the adjourned date and has not notified his intention to appear, "the Registrar may treat the opposition as dismissed for want of prosecution and the application may proceed to registration".
Note that both sub-rules speak of the "adjourned date". The consequences are stated for non-appearance at an adjourned hearing. The word is "may", so the Registrar has a discretion.
Rule 50(5): costs of adjournment
"In every case of adjournment the Registrar shall fix a day for further hearing of the case and shall make such order as to cost occasioned by the adjournment or such higher costs as the Registrar deems fit." An adjournment can therefore carry a costs order. See our article on costs in uncontested cases and the scale of costs.
Rule 50(6) and (7): what is not a ground for adjournment
- The fact that the agent or advocate on record of a party is engaged in another court is not a ground for adjournment (rule 50(6)).
- Where illness of the advocate or agent, or inability to conduct the case for any reason, is put forward as a ground, "the Tribunal shall not grant the adjournment unless it is satisfied that the advocate on record or agent, as the case may be, could not have engaged another agent or advocate in time" (rule 50(7)).
Rule 50(7) says "the Tribunal". The Rules do not constitute a Tribunal for this stage; the Registrar is the one hearing the opposition, so this is a drafting slip and the sense is that the Registrar decides. The practical lesson is to brief a substitute agent promptly.
Rule 50(8) to (10): written arguments, time limits, decision
- The Registrar "shall take on record written arguments if submitted by a party to the proceeding" (rule 50(8)).
- He has "powers to limit time for oral arguments" (rule 50(9)).
- "The decision of the Registrar shall be notified to the parties in writing" (rule 50(10)).
Written arguments are the safest way to put on record a point that may not fit within a time-limited oral argument. The decision, once notified, is the one that can be appealed; the appeal now lies to the High Court under section 31 of the Act, as explained in our article on section 31 of the GI Act. The Intellectual Property Appellate Board named in some Rules was abolished by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. See our article on the time for appeal.
Rule 51: security for costs
"The security for costs which the Registrar may require under sub-section (6) of section 14 may be fixed at any amount which he may consider proper, and such amount may be further enhanced by him at any stage in the opposition or other proceedings."
The text of the rule gives the Registrar a wide discretion on amount and a power to raise it at any stage. Section 14(6) is covered in our article on section 14 of the GI Act. The rule does not say which parties may be asked for security; that is a matter for the Act. Parties without a base in India should be ready for the request.
| Provision | Rule | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of hearing | 50(1) | Ordinarily within three months of completion of evidence; at least one month ahead unless parties consent |
| Intention to appear | 50(1) | Within fourteen days of receipt of the first notice, or ex parte |
| Adjournments | 50(2) | Max two, one month each, Form GI-9, sufficient cause |
| Non-appearance on adjourned date | 50(3), (4) | Application may be treated as dismissed; opposition may be dismissed |
| Costs of adjournment | 50(5) | Order as to costs, or higher costs |
| Advocate engaged elsewhere or ill | 50(6), (7) | Not a ground, unless no substitute could have been engaged |
| Written arguments, time limits | 50(8), (9) | Taken on record; time for oral arguments may be limited |
| Decision | 50(10) | Notified in writing |
| Security for costs | 51 | Any amount the Registrar considers proper; may be enhanced |
A worked example
Telangana Pochampally Weavers' Cooperative, an invented applicant, receives the first hearing notice on 1 October for a hearing on 5 November. It sends written notice of intention to appear on 6 October, within fourteen days. It applies on Form GI-9, with grounds, for a one month adjournment on 30 October because a key witness is ill; the Registrar grants it on condition of a costs order and fixes 5 December. On 5 December the cooperative's agent attends and also files written arguments. The Registrar notifies his decision in writing. All names are invented.
Need help preparing for a hearing?
The fourteen day notice and the limited adjournments leave little room for error. Our team can help you prepare for a Registrar's hearing and written arguments; see our legal dispute resolution service.
Key takeaways
- The Registrar gives notice of hearing ordinarily within three months of completion of evidence, for at least one month ahead unless the parties consent to less (rule 50(1)).
- Notify intention to appear within fourteen days of receiving the first notice, or the Registrar proceeds ex parte.
- At most two adjournments of one month each, on Form GI-9 with grounds, if sufficient cause is shown (rule 50(2)).
- Non-appearance at an adjourned hearing can lead to dismissal of the application or the opposition (rule 50(3), (4)).
- Written arguments are taken on record; the decision is notified in writing (rule 50(8), (10)).
- Security for costs may be fixed at any proper amount and enhanced later (rule 51).
- Check for amendments after 3 November 2025.
Read next
- Rules 52-53: notice of non-completion and entry in Part A of the Register
- Rules 45-49: evidence of applicant, reply, further evidence, exhibits and translation
- Section 14 of the GI Act: opposition to registration
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.