Rules 93 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.
Chapter X of the Rules sets up a register of layout-design agents, the people who may act before the Registrar under section 84(b) of the Act. Rule 93 creates the register, rule 94 lists the qualifications, rule 95 the disqualifications, rule 96 where to apply, rule 97 the application on Form LDA-1, rule 98 the written examination and interview, and rule 99 the certificate on Form OLD-4.
This article reflects the Rules as amended up to G.S.R. 689(E) dated 14 September 2012 (the only amendment). Check sicldr.gov.in for later notifications. Fees are those in Schedule I as notified in 2001; the Registry's forms page lists the same amounts (checked 3 October 2026). A company choosing between a registered agent, a legal practitioner and an employee should take a legal consultation on who can act for it.
The Registrar keeps a register of layout-design agents. A person qualifies if he is an Indian citizen, not less than 21, a graduate (or equivalent), has passed the examination in rule 98 and is considered fit and proper by the Central Government. Certain persons are debarred. The application is on Form LDA-1 (entry 30: Rs 2000), in triplicate, to the office for the applicant's principal place of business. The Registrar holds a written examination and an interview; on success the name is entered and a certificate on Form OLD-4 issues on payment of the prescribed fee.
Why agents matter
Section 84 of the Act allows acts before the Registrar (other than making an affidavit) to be done by a legal practitioner, a person registered as a layout-design agent, or a person in the sole and regular employment of the principal; see sections 83 to 88. The Rules then supply the register and the registration process. An agent is authorised for a given matter on Form LD-32, covered in Rules 16 to 20.
Rule 93: the register
"The Registrar shall maintain a register of layout-design agents wherein shall be entered the name, address of the place of residence, address of the principal place of business, the nationality, qualifications and date of registration of every registered layout-design agent."
Rule 94: qualifications
Subject to rule 95, a person is qualified to be registered as a layout-design agent if he:
| Clause | Requirement |
|---|---|
| (i) | Is a citizen of India |
| (ii) | Is not less than 21 years of age |
| (iii) | Has passed the examination prescribed in rule 98 |
| (iv) | Is a graduate of any university in India or possesses an equivalent qualification |
| (v) | Is considered by the Central Government as a fit and proper person to be registered as a layout-designs agent |
The citizenship requirement means a foreign professional cannot be registered, and rule 102(2) separately bars recognition of anyone who neither resides nor has a place of business in India; see Rules 100 to 105.
Rule 95: persons debarred
A person is not eligible if he:
- has been adjudged by a competent court to be of unsound mind;
- is an undischarged insolvent;
- being a discharged insolvent, has not obtained from the court a certificate that his insolvency was caused by misfortune without misconduct on his part;
- has been convicted by a competent court, in India or abroad, of an offence punishable with imprisonment, unless pardoned or the Central Government has by order removed the disability on his application;
- being a legal practitioner, has been held guilty of professional misconduct by any High Court in India or any court beyond India; or
- being a chartered accountant, has been held guilty of negligence or misconduct by a High Court.
The list is a ready checklist for a CA, CS or lawyer thinking of registering. The grounds for removal later in the Rules repeat the same six disabilities (rule 101(2)(a)).
Rule 96: where to apply
"All applications under the provisions of this Part shall be made in triplicate, shall be sent to or left at that office of the Registry within whose territorial limits the principal place of business of the applicant is situate." So the three copies go to the office for the applicant's principal place of business, which links to the office rules in Rules 4 to 9.
Rule 97: Form LDA-1
- 97(1). "Every person desiring to be registered as a layout-design agent shall make an application on Form LDA-1 accompanied by prescribed fee." Schedule I, entry 30: Rs 2000, Form LDA-1 (application for registration of a layout-design agent under rule 97).
- 97(2). The applicant furnishes such further information as the Registrar may require at any time.
Rule 98: examination and interview
98(1): the process
On receipt of the application, if the Registrar is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the prescribed qualifications, "he shall appoint a date in due course on which the candidate shall appear before him for a written examination in the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Law and practice followed by an interview." The candidate is expected to have detailed knowledge of the provisions of the Act and Rules and a knowledge of the elements of the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Law.
98(2): the marks
"The qualifying marks for the written examination and for interview shall be 40 per cent and 60 percent respectively and a candidate shall be declared to have passed the examination only if he obtains an aggregate of 50 per cent of the total marks."
| Part | Qualifying marks as printed |
|---|---|
| Written examination | 40 per cent |
| Interview | 60 percent |
| Aggregate | 50 per cent of the total marks |
The rule gives no syllabus beyond the Act, the Rules and the elements of the law, and no marks distribution between the two parts. This article adds no detail.
Rule 99: certificate
After the interview and any further information the Registrar considers necessary, if he considers the applicant eligible and qualified, he sends an intimation to that effect. The person so intimated "may inform in writing for his registration"; on receipt the Registrar "shall cause the applicant's name to be entered in the register of layout-design agents and shall issue to him a certificate on Form OLD-4 of his registration as a layout-design agent on payment of prescribed fee." Schedule I, entry 31, fixes the continuance fee: for the first year, to be paid along with the fee for registration, Rs 1500; and for every year after the first, to be paid on 1 April each year, Rs 500, a year running from 1 April to 31 March. The continuing duty is in the next article. Form OLD-4 is one of the official forms in Schedule III; the form LDA-1 is listed in Schedule II part 2.
A worked example
A chartered accountant in Pune who is a citizen, over 21 and a graduate wants to act as a layout-design agent. She checks the six disabilities in rule 95, finds none, and applies on Form LDA-1 in triplicate to the office for her principal place of business, with the Rs 2000 fee. The Registrar finds her qualified and sets a date for the written examination and interview. She passes on the percentages in rule 98(2) and receives an intimation. She informs the Registrar in writing that she wants registration, pays the prescribed fee, is entered in the register and receives a certificate on Form OLD-4. She then pays Rs 1500 for the first year with the registration fee and Rs 500 on 1 April in each later year.
Need help choosing who acts for you?
For a company deciding whether to use a registered agent, a legal practitioner or its own employee before the Registrar, our legal consultation team can set out the options under section 84.
Key takeaways
- The Registrar keeps a register of layout-design agents with names, addresses, nationality, qualifications and registration dates.
- Qualifications: Indian citizen, 21 or older, a graduate or equivalent, passed the rule 98 examination, fit and proper.
- Six disabilities debar a person, including insolvency, unsound mind, imprisonable convictions and professional misconduct.
- Apply on Form LDA-1 (entry 30: Rs 2000) in triplicate to the office for the principal place of business.
- A written examination and interview follow; the certificate is on Form OLD-4.
Read next
- Sections 83 to 88: agents in the Act
- Rules 100 to 105: continuance, removal and restoration
- Rules 16 to 20: authorising an agent
Disclaimer: Based on the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Act, 2000 (never amended; commencement as notified in 2004, 2011 and 2014) and the Semiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout-Design Rules, 2001 as amended by G.S.R. 689(E) of 14 September 2012, as consulted on 3 October 2026. Check sicldr.gov.in for later notifications and current forms and fees. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.