Design applications: First Examination Reports to be sent only by e-mail from 2 October 2026; postal dispatch ordinarily stops
The Office of the CGPDTM has notified that, from 2 October 2026, First Examination Reports in design applications will ordinarily be communicated only to the e-mail address given in Form-1 under “Address for Service in India”. Physical dispatch by post is ordinarily discontinued from that date.
Key facts
- In force
- With effect from 2 October 2026
- Who it affects
- Design applicants, registered patent agents and advocates handling design applications
- What it is
- New facility
- Section
- Trademark & IP
- Published
- 7 September 2026
In 30 seconds
- The change applies to First Examination Reports (FERs) in design applications and takes effect from 2 October 2026.
- FERs go to the e-mail address given in Form-1 under the “Address for Service in India” particulars.
- Postal dispatch is ordinarily discontinued, except where the Controller, for reasons recorded in writing, considers it necessary.
- Applicants are advised to check the Inbox and the Spam/Junk folder, and the design application status.
- Changes in e-mail address or mobile number are to be updated promptly under the Designs Act, 2000 and the Designs Rules, 2001.
हिंदी में सार
CGPDTM कार्यालय के पब्लिक नोटिस के अनुसार 2 अक्टूबर 2026 से डिज़ाइन आवेदनों की First Examination Report (FER) सामान्यतः सिर्फ़ ई-मेल से भेजी जाएगी — उसी पते पर जो Form-1 में “Address for Service in India” में दिया गया है। डाक से भेजना सामान्यतः बंद है। आवेदक अपना ई-मेल सही और चालू रखें, Spam फ़ोल्डर और आवेदन का status नियमित देखें।
What has changed
A public notice of the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks, published on the IP India website, changes how First Examination Reports (FERs) in design applications reach the applicant.
With effect from 2 October 2026, FERs in design applications “shall ordinarily be communicated to the applicants only through the e-mail address provided by them in Form-1 under the ‘Address for Service in India’ particulars”. Consequently, physical dispatch of FERs by post is ordinarily discontinued from that date.
The notice gives one exception: where the Controller, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers postal dispatch necessary in the interest of justice or administrative exigencies.
Why
The Office says the step is taken to promote efficient and paperless administration, in furtherance of the Government’s Digital India initiative. It points out that under rule 4 of the Designs Rules, 2001, applicants are already required to furnish their e-mail address, mobile number and contact details in the application form, and that the Design e-Filing system is an established electronic platform for filing applications, receiving official communications and submitting responses.
What applicants, agents and advocates are advised to do
| Step | What the notice says |
|---|---|
| Enter the e-mail address correctly | In the designated field when filing through the Design e-Filing Portal, or in Form-1 where the application is filed physically. The address should remain valid, active and accessible throughout the prosecution of the application |
| Watch the mailbox | Regularly monitor the Inbox as well as the Spam/Junk folder, so that official communications are not overlooked or filtered by the e-mail service provider |
| Check the status | Regularly check the design application status for messages like “Application Under Process, Case is Waiting for Examination Report Reply (FER generated on date..)” |
| Update contact details | Promptly update any change in contact details, including e-mail address and mobile number, in accordance with the Designs Act, 2000 and the Designs Rules, 2001 |
Points to note
- The notice is about FERs in design applications only. It does not speak of other communications in design matters, or of patents or trade marks.
- The word used throughout is “ordinarily” — the Controller keeps the power to send an FER by post for recorded reasons.
- The e-mail address that counts is the one given under “Address for Service in India” in Form-1.
- The notice does not prescribe a form for updating contact details; it refers generally to the Act and the Rules.
What to do now
If you have a design application pending examination, open the application and confirm the e-mail address recorded under the address for service. If it is wrong or no longer in use, have it updated promptly — from 2 October 2026 the FER will not ordinarily follow by post. Check the Spam/Junk folder and the application status regularly, as the notice advises.
Questions and answers
From when will design FERs be sent only by e-mail?
With effect from 2 October 2026, as stated in the public notice.
To which e-mail address will the FER be sent?
To the e-mail address provided by the applicant in Form-1 under the “Address for Service in India” particulars.
Will the Office still send a design FER by post?
Ordinarily not. Physical dispatch may still be made where the Controller, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers it necessary in the interest of justice or administrative exigencies.
How do I know an FER has been issued if the e-mail goes to spam?
The notice advises applicants to regularly check the Spam/Junk folder and the design application status for messages such as “Case is Waiting for Examination Report Reply (FER generated on date..)”.
Published 7 September 2026. Updated 8 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.