Trade Marks Registry holds Friday hearings till December 2026 to close oppositions that are settled or to be withdrawn
The Trade Marks Registry has begun a Special Disposal Drive for opposition proceedings where parties want to withdraw the application or opposition or have settled. Hearings are on every working Friday from 4 September till December 2026, in hybrid mode, taken up by the filing year of the trade mark application.
Key facts
- In force
- Every working Friday from 4 September 2026 till December 2026
- Who it affects
- Trade mark applicants and opponents in pending opposition proceedings, trade mark agents and advocates
- Source
- Trade Marks Registry Public Notice Ref. No. TMR/Public Notice/2026/4546 dated 31 August 2026 ↗
- What it is
- New facility
- Section
- Trademark & IP
- Published
- 31 August 2026
In 30 seconds
- Public Notice Ref. No. TMR/Public Notice/2026/4546 is dated 31 August 2026.
- The drive covers long-pending oppositions where parties wish to withdraw the application/opposition or have reached an amicable settlement.
- Hearings: every working Friday from 4 September 2026 till December 2026, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM and 2:30 PM–4:30 PM, hybrid.
- October Fridays are for applications filed between 2001 and 2010; November for 2011–2020; December for 2021 to date.
- Settlement deed or withdrawal request to be uploaded or submitted at least 3 days before the Friday hearing.
- On non-appearance or non-compliance, the matter is decided ex-parte or on merits on the records available.
हिंदी में सार
ट्रेड मार्क्स रजिस्ट्री ने उन लंबित opposition मामलों के लिए Special Disposal Drive शुरू की है जिनमें पक्षकार आवेदन या विरोध वापस लेना चाहते हैं या समझौता हो चुका है। सुनवाई 4 सितंबर से दिसंबर 2026 तक हर कार्य-शुक्रवार को हाइब्रिड मोड में होगी — अक्टूबर में 2001–2010 के, नवंबर में 2011–2020 के और दिसंबर में 2021 से अब तक के आवेदन। समझौता-पत्र या वापसी का अनुरोध सुनवाई से कम से कम 3 दिन पहले देना है।
What the Registry has announced
By Public Notice Ref. No. TMR/Public Notice/2026/4546 dated 31 August 2026, the Trade Marks Registry has started a dedicated Special Disposal Drive for long-pending opposition proceedings where the parties want to withdraw the application or the opposition, or have reached an amicable settlement.
The Registry says the drive is meant to address backlog cases systematically, streamline procedures and enhance transparency, while upholding the principles of natural justice.
When and how
Hearings are held on every working Friday till December 2026, starting from the first Friday of September (4 September 2026). They are in hybrid mode — both physical and virtual options are available. Matters are taken up by the year of filing of the underlying trade mark application, in 10-year blocks:
| Fridays of | Applications filed | Mode | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | Prior to 2000 | Hybrid (physical / virtual) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| October | Between 2001 and 2010 | Hybrid (physical / virtual) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| November | Between 2011 and 2020 | Hybrid (physical / virtual) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| December | Between 2021 and till date | Hybrid (physical / virtual) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
As of 4 October 2026, the September block is over and the October block — applications filed between 2001 and 2010 — is running.
Instructions to parties and advocates
- Documents: applicants, opponents and their authorised advocates or agents are directed to upload or submit the settlement deed or the withdrawal request at least 3 days before the scheduled Friday hearing, through the online portal or by e-mail.
- Attendance: parties or their authorised legal representatives are advised to check the status of their opposition matters and appear before the Hearing Officer — virtually, through the official link published on the IP India portal, or physically at the Trade Marks Registry.
- Non-appearance: in case of non-appearance or non-compliance on the scheduled date, the matter “shall be decided ex-parte or dealt with on merits” under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, on the records available with the Office.
What the notice does not say
The notice does not publish a case-wise list, does not name the offices where physical hearings will be held, and does not give the e-mail address for documents. Parties have to check the status of their own matters.
What parties should do
If you are an applicant or opponent in an opposition that has been settled, or that either side no longer wants to pursue, find the filing year of the application and note the month it falls in. File the settlement deed or withdrawal request at least 3 days ahead, and appear on the Friday — an absent party risks an ex-parte decision.
Questions and answers
Which opposition matters are covered by the Special Disposal Drive?
Long-pending opposition proceedings where parties desire to withdraw the application or the opposition, or have reached an amicable settlement.
When are the hearings held?
On every working Friday till December 2026, starting 4 September 2026, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, in hybrid mode.
My application was filed in 2015. Which month is it?
November. The schedule assigns all Fridays of November to applications filed between 2011 and 2020.
What must be filed before the hearing?
The settlement deed or withdrawal request, uploaded or submitted at least 3 days before the scheduled Friday hearing date, via the online portal or e-mail.
What if a party does not appear?
The matter shall be decided ex-parte or dealt with on merits under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, based on the records available with the Office.
Published 31 August 2026. Updated 9 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.