Rule 82 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 82 has two parts. Part (A) says how a single application covering goods in several classes is to be set out, advertised and certified. Part (B) says how an application can be divided into two or more separate applications while keeping its original filing date. The parts are lettered (A) and (B) within one rule; they are not separate rules. A geographical indication registration adviser is usually consulted at the drafting stage, because a clean class-by-class specification avoids a division later.
A single application under section 11(3) lists classes in consecutive numerical order with the goods under each class, is advertised in a separate section of the Journal, and ends in one certificate. A division is requested on Form GI-5 (Part E) under the proviso to section 15; each divisional application keeps the same filing date, and a deficient request must be cured within thirty days or it is treated as abandoned.
Rule 82(A): the single application
Section 11(3) of the Act lets one application cover goods in different classes. Our article on section 11 of the GI Act explains the application and its link to the classification in the Fourth Schedule. Rule 82(A) sets four points.
(1) Layout of the specification. "The specification of goods contained in it shall set out the classes in consecutive numerical order beginning with the lowest number and list under each class the goods appropriate to that class." Class 1 comes before class 3, and each class has its own list of goods.
(2) Wrong class. If the specification "lists by reference to a class or classes in the Fourth Schedule in which they do not fall, the Registrar shall require the applicant to divide the application on payment of a divisional fee in Form GI-5 to the class or classes to which the application relates together with such class fee as may be appropriate."
(3) Advertisement. Applications filed under section 11(3), "when ordered to be advertised shall be published in a separate section of the Geographical Indications Journal".
(4) Certificate. "The Registrar shall issue a single certificate of registration in respect of an application made under sub-section 3 of section 11 which has proceeded to registration."
The Fourth Schedule, which has the classification of goods in 34 classes, is covered along with other schedules in our article on the Second and Third Schedules.
Rule 82(B): the divisional application
The proviso to section 15 allows division. Our article on section 15 of the GI Act deals with correction and amendment of an application. Rule 82(B) has six sub-rules.
(1) "Where an application is made in Form GI-5 under proviso to section 15 for the division of a single application, such an application shall be divided into two or more separate applications upon the payment of a division fee and such class fees as are appropriate."
(2) "At any time before registration an applicant may request the Registrar ... for a division of his application for registration (the original applications) into two or more separate applications (divisional applications), indicating for each division the specification of goods. The Registrar shall treat each divisional application as a separate application for registration with the same filing date as the original application."
(3) For a request to divide "some, but not all, of the goods in a class", a divisional fee "for separate application to be created by division shall be submitted".
(4) If the request lacks the necessary fee or is otherwise deficient, the Registrar "will notify the applicant of deficiency. The applicant must correct any such deficiency within thirty days. If the applicant fails ... the request will be considered as abandoned and the application will be proceeded further without regard to the request."
(5) On a request to divide, "the Registrar shall assign an additional separate new serial number or numbers" cross-referenced with the original, and the new application or applications "shall be assigned same filing date as the original application".
(6) "For the removal doubt, it is clarified that no new registration is effected when a single application is divided. On the contrary, application already filed are merely separated or divided into individual files."
Form and fee
The form is Form GI-5, Part E, "application for the division of an application made for the registration of a geographical indication in different classes of goods", proviso to section 15, rule 23(7) and rule 82(B), entry 5E. The fee, as per the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025, entry 5E, "on division of goods in a class or on division of an application made for registration of a geographical indication in different classes under proviso to section 15, rule 23(7)", is Rs. 1,000. Class fees come from entries 1A to 1D: entry 1C, for a single application for goods in different classes, is Rs. 1,000 for each class, as per the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025.
A flag on entry numbering: the Second Schedule list of forms shows search as 5E and division as 5F, while the First Schedule and the form itself show division as 5E and search as 5F. Follow the First Schedule and the form.
The timeline in one table
| Point | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Specification order | 82(A)(1) | Classes in consecutive numerical order, lowest first, goods listed under each |
| Misclassified goods | 82(A)(2) | Registrar requires division on Form GI-5 fee plus class fee |
| Advertisement | 82(A)(3) | Separate section of the Journal |
| Certificate | 82(A)(4) | One certificate for a section 11(3) application |
| When to divide | 82(B)(2) | Any time before registration |
| Filing date | 82(B)(2), (5) | Same as the original |
| Cure of deficiency | 82(B)(4) | Thirty days, else request treated as abandoned |
| New registration? | 82(B)(6) | No; files are only separated |
Who is affected
- Producer associations with goods in several classes, such as a cooperative of handloom cloth and handmade garments.
- Agents and attorneys preparing a specification of goods.
- Applicants facing an objection on one class who want the other classes to proceed.
An example
Nilgiri Tribal Crafts Society files one application under section 11(3) for baskets in one class and woven mats in another. The Registrar objects to the mats only. The Society requests a division before registration on Form GI-5 Part E, indicating the goods for each divisional application and paying the division fee and class fees. The baskets application proceeds with the original filing date, and the mats application is cross-referenced with a new serial number but the same filing date. The Society's first request lacked the fee. The Registry notified the deficiency and the Society paid within thirty days, so the request stood.
Points the rule does not settle
- It does not say whether the thirty days run from the date of the Registry's notice or from receipt; it says "within thirty days" after notification.
- It does not state the order of the class numbering beyond "consecutive numerical order".
- Rule 82(A)(2) says the divisional fee is payable "in Form GI-5" but does not give an amount.
Amendments made after November 2025 should be checked before acting.
Need help with a multi-class application?
If your goods fall in more than one class, the way you set out the specification can decide whether the application moves together or has to be split. Our geographical indication registration team can draft the specification and, where needed, prepare the division request.
Key takeaways
- A section 11(3) application lists classes in consecutive numerical order with the goods under each.
- It is advertised in a separate section of the Journal and ends in a single certificate.
- Division is requested on Form GI-5 Part E (entry 5E, Rs. 1,000 as per the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025).
- Divisional applications keep the same filing date as the original.
- A deficient request must be cured within thirty days or it is treated as abandoned.
- Division does not create a new registration; it separates files.
Read next
- Rules 83 to 85: extension of time, discretionary power and notification of decision
- Second Schedule: Forms GI-1 to GI-10 and Registrar's forms O-1 to O-5
- Section 11 of the GI Act: application for registration
- Section 15 of the GI Act: correction and amendment of application
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.