Section 15 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.
Section 15 gives the Registrar a flexible power: he may permit correction of errors in an application, or an amendment of it, "at any time", whether before or after acceptance, on terms he thinks just. A proviso protects the filing date when a multi-class application is divided. If you have spotted a mistake in a pending geographical indication registration application, this is the section the Registrar would use.
The Registrar may, on such terms as he thinks just, at any time, whether before or after acceptance of an application under section 11, permit correction of any error in connection with the application, or permit an amendment of it. If a single application covering different classes is divided into two or more applications, the date of the initial application is deemed to be the date of each of the divided applications.
The main part
"The Registrar may, on such terms, as he thinks just, at any time, whether before or after acceptance of an application for registration under section 11, permit the correction of any error or in connection with the application or permit an amendment of the application."
Parse the sentence:
| Words | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "may" | A discretionary power; the applicant has no right to correction as such |
| "on such terms, as he thinks just" | The Registrar can impose conditions |
| "at any time" | No fixed deadline in this section |
| "whether before or after acceptance" | Covers both the examination stage and the period after acceptance, including after advertisement |
| "correction of any error" | For mistakes |
| "amendment of the application" | For changes |
A drafting slip
The printed words are "permit the correction of any error or in connection with the application". The phrase "any error or in connection with the application" is missing a word, probably "error in" before "connection". The sense is clear enough: the Registrar may permit correction of errors in, or in connection with, the application. We quote the section as printed and read it this way.
Limits the text does not state
The words "at any time" do not say there are no limits. The text of section 15 does not say whether an amendment may enlarge the territory or goods, or whether it can change the applicant. Other provisions bear on this: section 8 and section 11(2) govern the class, goods and area to be stated in the application, and section 13(2) deals with re-advertisement after a correction or amendment. The text of section 15 does not itself say anything on these points, so this article does not guess.
How it fits with advertisement
Section 13(2) provides that where, after advertisement, "an error in the application has been corrected" or "the application has been permitted to be amended under section 15", the Registrar "may in his discretion cause the application to be advertised again or instead of causing the application to be advertised again, notify in the prescribed manner, the correction made". So a correction or amendment after advertisement can have a consequence for the opposition timetable: section 14(1) counts the opposition period from "advertisement or readvertisement". See Sections 12 and 13 and Section 14.
Section 14(7) separately allows correction of a notice of opposition or a counter-statement. Section 15 is about the application only.
The proviso: dividing a single application
"Provided that if an amendment is made to a single application referred to in sub-section (3) of section 11 involving division of such application into two or more applications, the date of making of the initial application shall be deemed to be the date of making of the divided applications so divided."
Section 11(3) lets a single application cover "different classes of goods", with a fee for each class. Suppose that one class is likely to be opposed or delayed. The applicant may wish to divide the application so that the other classes proceed. The proviso protects the filing date: each divided application is treated as made on the date of the initial application.
Why this matters: under section 16(1), a registered indication is "registered as of the date of the making of the said application", and that date is deemed to be the date of registration (subject to section 84). Keeping the original date for each divided application preserves that date.
| Situation | Effect |
|---|---|
| Single application for classes X, Y, Z | Filed on date D |
| Amendment divides it into applications for X, and for Y and Z | Each is deemed made on date D |
| Later registration of each | Registered as of D under section 16(1), subject to section 84 |
Example. The Hilltop Weavers' Cooperative files one application for cloth and for a related craft item, both under "Hilltop weave". The Registrar has doubts only about the craft item. The cooperative applies to divide the application. If the Registrar permits the amendment, the cloth application and the craft application are each deemed made on the original filing date.
What the section does not say
- It does not state the fee, form or procedure for an amendment request; those are for the rules.
- It does not say whether the Registrar must hear the applicant before refusing a correction.
- It does not say how a request for division is to be made; it only addresses the date.
- It does not say what happens to the fee paid per class on division.
- It does not address correction of the register after registration. That is for sections 16(4), 28 and 29.
For the post-registration correction powers, see Sections 28 to 30.
Practical points
- Raise errors early. Although the section says "at any time", a correction before advertisement avoids a re-advertisement question.
- Expect terms. The Registrar may impose terms he thinks just.
- Use division strategically. Where a multi-class application is held up on one class, division under the proviso keeps the filing date.
- Keep a record of changes. If the change is material, expect the possibility of re-advertisement and a fresh opposition window.
Need help with a pending application?
If you have found an error or want to split a multi-class application, the way you frame the request matters. Our team can handle the correction request as part of a geographical indication registration.
Key takeaways
- The Registrar may, on terms he thinks just, at any time, permit correction of an error or amendment of the application, before or after acceptance.
- A drafting slip in the printed text ("error or in connection with") does not change the evident sense.
- If a single multi-class application is divided, each divided application keeps the date of the initial application.
- After advertisement, a correction or amendment may lead to re-advertisement or notification under section 13(2).
Read next
- Section 16: registration and certificate
- Section 11: application for registration
- Section 14: opposition to registration
Disclaimer: Based on the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 read with the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, as consulted on 1 October 2026. Forms, fees and procedure are set by the rules made under the Act. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.