Sections 77 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.
Sections 77 to 79 make the GI system open to scrutiny. Section 77 requires four indexes to be kept under the Registrar's direction and supervision. Section 78 opens the register, the opposition and rectification papers and the indexes to public inspection, and allows anyone to obtain a certified copy on application and payment of the prescribed fee. Section 79 requires the Central Government to place a yearly report before both Houses of Parliament. If you want to search the register before filing, or need a certified copy for a dispute, our GI registration service can help you do it correctly.
Section 77: the Registrar must keep four indexes: registered geographical indications; indications with pending applications; names of proprietors; names of authorised users. Section 78: the register, the papers behind it, opposition and rectification documents before the Registrar, the indexes and other notified documents are open to public inspection, subject to conditions; any person may obtain a certified copy on application and payment of the prescribed fee. Section 79: the Central Government places a report on the execution of the Act before both Houses of Parliament once a year.
Status after the amending Acts
Sections 77, 78 and 79 are not on the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 list and are not changed by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. The printed text is current.
Section 77: the four indexes
"There shall be kept under the directions and supervision of the Registrar,—
- (a) an index of registered geographical indications,
- (b) an index of geographical indications in respect of which applications for registration are pending,
- (c) an index of the names of the proprietors of registered geographical indications, and
- (d) an index of the names of authorised users."
| Index | What it lets you find |
|---|---|
| (a) Registered indications | Whether an indication is already registered |
| (b) Pending applications | Whether someone has applied for a similar or identical indication |
| (c) Proprietors | Who holds each registered indication |
| (d) Authorised users | Who is registered to use each indication |
The indexes are a search tool in addition to the register itself, which is described in the articles on sections 5 and 6 and on section 7. Index (b) is useful before you apply, because a pending application for a similar indication may be a ground to oppose or a reason to reconsider your own. Index (d) shows who has been registered as an authorised user, a matter dealt with in the article on authorised users.
Section 78: documents open to public inspection
Sub-section (1)
"The following documents, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be open to public inspection at the Geographical Indications Registry, namely:—
- (a) the register and any document upon which any entry in the register is based;
- (b) every notice of opposition to the registration of a geographical indication, application for rectification before the Registrar, counter-statement thereto, and any affidavit or document filed by the parties in any proceedings before the Registrar;
- (c) the indexes mentioned in section 77; and
- (d) such other documents as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify."
| Clause | Documents open to inspection |
|---|---|
| (a) | The register, and any document on which an entry is based |
| (b) | Notices of opposition, rectification applications before the Registrar, counter-statements and affidavits or documents filed by the parties in proceedings before the Registrar |
| (c) | The indexes in section 77 |
| (d) | Other documents notified by the Central Government |
Inspection is "subject to such conditions as may be prescribed", and the rules are not in our sources, so we state no conditions, hours or fees. Note that clause (b) covers papers filed before the Registrar; it does not refer to papers filed before a court.
Proviso (computer records). "Where such register is maintained wholly or partly on computer, the inspection of such register under this section shall be made by inspecting the computer print out of the relevant entry in the register so maintained on computer." So where the register is kept on a computer, inspection is by a printout of the relevant entry.
Sub-section (2): certified copies
"Any person may, on an application to the Registrar and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, obtain a certified copy of any entry in the register or any document referred to in sub-section (1)."
- Who: "any person", not only parties.
- What: a certified copy of any entry in the register or of any document in sub-section (1).
- How: on application to the Registrar and payment of the prescribed fee. The text states no amount.
A copy certified by the Registrar and sealed with the Registry's seal is admitted in evidence in all courts without further proof, as section 69(1) provides; see the article on sections 68 to 70. That is why a certified copy is the usual way to prove a registration.
Section 79: reports to Parliament
"The Central Government shall cause to be placed before both Houses of Parliament once a year a report respecting the execution by or under this Act."
- Who: the Central Government.
- What: a report on the execution of the Act, "by or under this Act".
- To whom: both Houses of Parliament.
- How often: once a year.
The heading of the section refers to "Reports of Registrar", but the section itself puts the duty on the Central Government. The text does not say what the report must contain, and we do not describe its contents.
The three sections together
| Section | Subject | Duty on | Benefit to public |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Indexes | Registrar (kept under his direction and supervision) | Easy searching |
| 78 | Inspection and certified copies | Registry and Registrar | Open access; proof for use in courts |
| 79 | Annual report | Central Government | Parliamentary oversight |
Example
A cooperative planning to register an invented hill-spice indication checks index (b) for pending applications and index (a) for registered ones, then inspects the opposition papers in a related matter under section 78(1)(b). Later, to prove an existing registration in a dispute, it applies for a certified copy of the entry under section 78(2) and pays the prescribed fee.
What the sections do not say
- They do not state the conditions of inspection, the fee for a certified copy or the form of application; the rules prescribe these.
- Section 77 does not say how often the indexes are updated.
- Section 78 does not say whether inspection can be online.
- Section 79 does not say what happens if the report is not placed on time.
- Section 78(1)(b) covers only proceedings before the Registrar, not before the High Court.
Practical points
- Search the indexes before you file an application and before you send a notice.
- Ask for a certified copy, not a plain printout, when the document will be used in a dispute.
- Remember that opposition and rectification papers before the Registrar are open to inspection; draft your filings with that in mind.
- Check the rules for the prescribed conditions and fees before you apply.
Need help searching the register or obtaining certified copies?
A careful search of the indexes and the register can prevent a wasted application, and a certified copy is the usual proof in a dispute. Our GI registration service can search, inspect the relevant papers and obtain certified copies for your file.
Key takeaways
- Section 77: four indexes are kept under the Registrar's direction and supervision.
- Section 78: the register, supporting documents, opposition and rectification papers, the indexes and other notified documents are open to inspection, subject to prescribed conditions.
- Any person may obtain a certified copy of an entry or document on application and payment of the prescribed fee.
- Section 79: the Central Government places a yearly report on the execution of the Act before both Houses.
Read next
- Sections 5–6: the Geographical Indications Registry and the register
- Sections 68–70: authorised user impleaded, evidence of entries and Registrar not compellable
- Section 7: Part A and Part B of the register
- GI registration process: application to certificate
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.