On July 16, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) notified the Draft Patent (Amendment) Rules, 2025. The draft proposes key changes, including definitions for terms such as ‘adjudicating officer’, ‘appellant’, and ‘appellate authority’. It also addresses provisions for filing complaints under Form 32 and appeals under Form 33 electronically, procedures for conducting inquiries, electronic service of notices, and the extension of timelines in case of delays. Additionally, the draft mandates that all orders be digitally signed, communicated, and uploaded on the official website, and that penalties collected be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India. Public comments and suggestions on the Draft Rules are invited within 30 days of its publication.
Source: Draft Rules, July 16, 2025.pdf