Chapter X - Powers, Etc., of Central Government
Section 47
Section 47: Government power to make rules
Section 47 enables the Central Government to make the rules that implement the Designs Act. Its detailed subjects include forms, fees, classification, restoration, title entries and proceedings, so practical filing work requires both the Act and the current rules.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Designs Act, 2000 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generally of the forgoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) the form of application for registration of design, the manner of filing it at the patent office and the fee which shall accompany it, under sub-section (2) of section 5;
(b) the time within which the registration is to be effected under sub-section (5) of section 5;
(c) the classification of articles for registration under sub-section (1) of section 6;
(d) the particulars of design to be published and the manner of their publication under section 7;
(e) the manner of making claim under sub-section (1) of section 8;
(f) the manner of making applications to the Controller under sub-section (5) of section 8;
(g) the additional matters required to be entered in the register of designs and the safeguards to be made in maintaining such register in computer floppies or diskettes under sub-section (1) of section 10;
(h) the manner of making application and fee to be paid for extension of the period of copyright under and the fee payable thereto, sub-section (2) of section 11;
(i) the manner of making application for restoration of design and the fee to be paid with it under sub-section (1) of section 12;
(j) the manner of verification of statement contained in an application under sub-section (2) of section 12;
(k) the additional fee to be paid for restoration of the registration of design under sub-section (1) of section 13;
(l) the provisions subject to which the right of the registered proprietor shall be under sub-section (1) of section 14;
(m) the number of exact representation or specimen of the design to be furnished to the Controller under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 15;
(n) the mark, words or figures with which the article is to be marked denoting that the design is registered under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 15;
(o) the rules to dispense with or modify as regards any class or description of articles any of the requirements of section 15 as to marking under sub-section (2) of that section;
(p) the fee to be paid for and the manner of inspection under sub-section (1) of section 17;
(q) the fee to be paid to obtain a certified copy of any design under sub-section (2) of section 17;
(r) the fee on payment of which the Controller shall inform under section 18;
(s) the form for giving notice to the controller under clause (a) of the proviso to section 21;
(t) the fee to be paid in respect of the registration of designs and application therefor, and in respect of other matters relating to designs under sub-section (1) of section 24;
(u) the fee to be paid for giving certified copy of any entry in the register under section 26;
(v) the fee to be accompanied with the request in writing for correcting any clerical error under section 29;
(w) the form in which an application for registration as proprietor shall be made and the manner in which the Controller shall cause an entry to be made in the register of the assignment, transmission or other instruments effecting the title under sub-section (1) of section 30;
(x) the form in which an application for title shall be made and the manner in which the Controller shall cause notice of the interest to be entered in the register of designs with particulars of the instrument, if any, creating such interest under sub-section (2) of section 30;
(y) the manner of filing an application for registration and for making application for extension of time as referred to in sub-section (3) of section 30;
(z) the manner of making application to the Controller for rectification of register under sub-section (1) of section 31;
(za) the manner in which the notice of rectification shall be served on the Controller under sub-section (4) of section 31;
(zb) the rules regulating the proceedings before the Controller under section 32;
(zc) the time which shall be granted to the applicants for being heard by the Controller under section 33;
(zd) the fee to be accompanied with an appeal under sub-section (1) of section 36;
(ze) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.
(3) The power to make rules under this section shall be subject to the conditions of the rules being made after previous publication.
(4) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that Act.
Rule and business relevance
Rules are made through Official Gazette notification, subject to previous publication. Subsection (2) enumerates subjects through clauses (a) to (ze). Subsection (4) requires laying before both Houses for the stated thirty-day period and provides for agreed parliamentary modification or annulment without prejudicing earlier valid action as specified.
Limits and related provisions
The enabling list is not itself today's fee schedule, filing form or extension entitlement. Use current notified rules and amendments, and distinguish previous-publication drafts from rules actually made and in force. The provision does not authorise a private service provider to substitute its own procedure for the prescribed one.
Hypothetical business example
Hypothetical: a proprietor needs to record an assignment and finds an old form online. It uses Section 47 to identify that procedure is rule-governed, then checks the current notified rules and official filing guidance before submitting the Section 30 application.
Practical decision flow
Identify the Act provision and procedural subject for the intended filing or request.
Retrieve the current notified Designs Rules and relevant amendments, distinguishing draft consultation material.
Use the operative form, fee and time requirements and retain the official basis for the filing.
Practical checklist
Do
- Identify the Act provision and procedural subject for the intended filing or request.
- Retrieve the current notified Designs Rules and relevant amendments, distinguishing draft consultation material.
- Use the operative form, fee and time requirements and retain the official basis for the filing.
Avoid
- The enabling list is not itself today's fee schedule, filing form or extension entitlement. Use current notified rules and amendments, and distinguish previous-publication drafts from rules actually made and in force. The provision does not authorise a private service provider to substitute its own procedure for the prescribed one.
Glossary
- Previous publication
- The statutory publication condition before the rules are made.
- Subordinate rules
- Procedural requirements made under the Act's enabling power and within its limits.
Frequently asked questions
Does Section 47 itself list the current fees?
No. It authorises rules for fees and other matters; consult the current notified rules and schedules.
Is a published draft automatically the operative rule?
No. Distinguish previous publication from the final rule and its commencement.
Are the rules subject to parliamentary review?
Yes. Subsection (4) contains the laying, modification and annulment mechanism.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026