Filing a design in India no longer means posting physical forms. A December 2022 notice lets design applications be filed fully online with digital signatures — a welcome step toward a paperless Designs Office.
What changed
By a public notice dated 16 December 2022, the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks removed the mandatory requirement of filing physical copies of design-application forms. Forms and documents for design registration can now be filed online, provided they are digitally signed in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000.
What still needs a physical original
Some documents remain exceptions and must still be submitted in original with the Design Office:
- assignments;
- attested/notarised copies of original powers of attorney; and
- original affidavits.
The reform aims to streamline design registration and make it more convenient — while keeping the offline route available for those who prefer it.
Priority documents
Applicants claiming reciprocity (priority) should provide WIPO-DAS codes, or file a certified/verified copy of the priority document in original within three months of filing the design application in India.
E-certificates
The Design Wing has been issuing e-certificates for design registration since 1 November 2022 — completing the shift toward an end-to-end digital process, from filing to certificate.
The takeaways
- File design applications online, digitally signed under the IT Act, 2000 — no mandatory physical copies.
- Keep originals ready for assignments, notarised POAs and affidavits, which still go in physically.
- For priority, use WIPO-DAS codes or file the certified priority document within three months.
- Registration certificates are now electronic (since 1 November 2022).
For the documents needed for new applications (online or offline), see the Check List of documents for filing of New Design Applications and the Manual of Designs Practice & Procedure. See also our guides on design registration in India and our industrial designs practice.
Frequently asked questions
Can design applications be filed online in India? Yes — since the December 2022 notice, forms and documents can be filed online, provided they are digitally signed under the IT Act, 2000.
Which documents still need physical originals? Assignments, attested/notarised copies of original powers of attorney, and original affidavits must still be submitted in original.
How do I claim priority for a design application? Provide WIPO-DAS codes, or file a certified/verified copy of the priority document in original within three months of the Indian filing.
Are design registration certificates electronic now? Yes — the Design Wing has issued e-certificates for design registration since 1 November 2022.
Useful official resources
- The Designs Act, 2000
- Designs — IP India