Form GI-1 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.
Form GI-1 is the application for registration of a geographical indication in Part A of the Register. It is prescribed under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and the 2002 Rules: rule 23 says which part of the form to use, and rule 32 says what the application must contain. If you are preparing an application for a product of your region, our GI registration team can help you assemble the statement of case and the supporting papers.
Rule 23 fixes the form: Form GI-1, in triplicate, signed by the applicant or his agent, with three copies of a Statement of Case (rule 23(1)). Use part A for goods in one class, part B for one class from a convention country, part C for a single application covering different classes and part D for different classes from a convention country. Rule 32(1) lists what the application must contain, including the statement of case. Fees are entries 1A to 1D of the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025.
Which part of Form GI-1
The Second Schedule form is headed "Application for the registration of a geographical indication in Part A of the Register". It has four parts, each tied to a sub-rule of rule 23 and a section of the Act.
| Part | Use | Rule | Section | Fee entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Goods included in one class | Rule 23(2) | Section 11(1) | 1A |
| B | Goods in one class, from a convention country | Rule 23(3) | Sections 11(1), 84(1) | 1B |
| C | A single application for goods in different classes | Rule 23(5) | Section 11(3) | 1C |
| D | A single application for different classes, from a convention country | Rule 23(4) | Sections 11(3), 84(1) | 1D |
Under section 11(1) the applicant is an association of persons or producers, or an organisation or authority established by or under any law, representing the producers of the goods. See who can apply and section 11 of the GI Act.
Rule 23: form, signing and conditions
Rule 23(1) requires every application to be "made in the prescribed form", signed "by the applicant or his agent" and made "in triplicate alongwith three copies of a Statement of Case". The rest of the rule adds the following.
- One indication per application (rule 23(8)), for as many classes as are claimed.
- Conditions (rule 23(6)). The indication must be defined with sufficient precision to determine the right to relief for infringement; the graphical representation must stand in place of the indication without samples; and it must be reasonably practicable for persons reading the Register to understand it. A three-dimensional indication or a colour combination is not acted upon unless the application says so.
- Wrong class. Rule 23(10): if the Registrar finds the goods fall in additional classes, the applicant may restrict the specification or add the class on payment of the appropriate class fee and the divisional fee. The new class keeps the original filing date.
Our rule-wise article is rule 23: form and signing of the application. Division of an application is under rule 82.
Rule 32(1): what the application must contain
Rule 32(1) says every application "shall be made in the prescribed forms and shall contain" six items: (1) a statement of how the indication designates goods as originating from the territory, region or locality in respect of specific quality, reputation or other characteristics due exclusively or essentially to the geographical environment; (2) the class of goods; (3) the geographical map; (4) the appearance of the indication, as words, figurative elements or both; (5) particulars of the producers; and (6) a further statement. Item (6) covers an affidavit on how the applicant represents the producers, the standards benchmark, the mechanism to maintain quality, three certified copies of the map, special human skill or uniqueness of the environment, the representing body's name and address, any inspection structure and, for a homonymous indication, the differentiating factors (section 10 of the GI Act).
Rule 32(2) requires the Registrar to acknowledge receipt by returning one of the additional representations with the official number. See rule 32: content of application and, for drafting, how to draft the statement of case.
Rules 25 to 27: user and representations
- Statement of user (rule 25). A statement of the period during which, and the person by whom, the indication has been used for the goods, with an affidavit and exhibits showing the use, the volume of sales and the definite territory. See rules 24 and 25, which also cover the convention certificate.
- Representation (rule 26). Not more than 33 centimetres by 20 centimetres, with a margin of 4 cm on the left.
- Additional representations (rule 27(1)). Five, corresponding exactly with the application; colour and shape cases are in rule 27(2) and (3). See rules 26 to 28.
Fee entries 1A to 1D
The fee is "as per the First Schedule as substituted in November 2025" (rule 10(1) says the prescribed fees are those in the First Schedule).
| Entry | On what payable | Amount in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Application for goods in one class (rule 23(2)) | 1000 |
| 1B | Application for goods in one class from a convention country (rule 23(3)) | 1000 |
| 1C | Single application for different classes (rule 23(5)) | 1000 for each class |
| 1D | Single application for different classes from a convention country (rule 23(4)) | 1000 for each class |
The form must carry the prescribed fee (rule 10(2)); a document filed without fee or with insufficient fee is deemed not filed (rule 10(5)). Amounts printed inside the 2002 form text are out of date. Amendments after November 2025 should be checked.
After filing: deficiencies
Under rule 31, if the application does not satisfy section 11 or rule 23, the Registrar sends notice to remedy the deficiencies, and if the applicant fails to remedy them within one month from receipt the application may be treated as abandoned. Examination follows under rule 33 (see rules 33 and 34). Some rules still speak of the Appellate Board; appeals now lie to the High Court under section 31 of the GI Act.
Common mistakes
- Filing a single copy; rule 23(1) calls for triplicate with three copies of the Statement of Case.
- Using part A for several classes; use part C (entry 1C, per class).
- Paying less than the prescribed fee; rule 10(5) treats the document as not filed.
Need help with a GI application?
The statement of case carries the application. Our GI registration service prepares the form and the statement and checks them against rules 23, 25 to 27 and 32.
Key takeaways
- Form GI-1 has four parts, A to D, chosen by number of classes and by convention country.
- Triplicate, signed, with three copies of the Statement of Case (rule 23(1)).
- Fee entries 1A to 1D are Rs. 1000, per class for 1C and 1D.
Read next
- Rule 23: form of application
- Rule 32: statement of case
- GI Rules first schedule: fees
- GI registration process, application to certificate
Disclaimer: Based on the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002 as notified on 8 March 2002, the 2020 amendment rules and the First Schedule as substituted by the 2025 amendment rules (3 November 2025), as consulted on 2 October 2026. Later amendments should be checked on the IP India portal. This article is general information, not legal advice.