- Why in news
- On 29 January 2026, DPIIT released a Concept Note proposing amendments to the Designs Act, 2000. It also proposes that India join the Riyadh Design Law Treaty and the Hague Agreement.
- What it is
- The Designs Act, 2000 protects the new and original shape, pattern or ornament of an article that appeals to the eye. It replaced the Designs Act, 1911 and was enacted to meet India's obligations under the TRIPS Agreement. It is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
- Proposed treaty accessions
- The Concept Note proposes that India accede to the Riyadh Design Law Treaty and the Hague Agreement on international registration of industrial designs.
- Virtual designs
- Protection would be extended to virtual designs by changing the definitions of 'article' and 'design'.
- Grace period
- A full grace period of 12 months is proposed.
- Deferred publication
- Applicants could defer publication of a design for up to 30 months.
- Other proposals
- The note also proposes statutory damages, a revised term of protection, multiple designs in one application and division of applications.
- Administering authority
- The Designs Act, 2000 is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks under DPIIT.
Don’t confuse with Designs vs patents: A design protects the appearance of an article. A patent protects an invention's function and technical idea.
Don’t confuse with Riyadh DLT vs Hague Agreement: The Riyadh DLT harmonises design filing formalities. The Hague Agreement allows one international application for registration in many countries.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Covering virtual designs would protect digital and immersive products.
- Alignment with global treaties would ease filing for Indian designers abroad.
Problems
- Defining virtual designs without overlapping copyright and other IP law is hard.
- The Patent Office needs capacity to handle higher filing volumes and international applications.
Way forward
- Consider stakeholder comments in the consultation and draft the amendment Bill carefully.
- Build examination capacity and awareness among MSMEs and designers.
- 2014Mains GS3 · Q12Distinguish copyrights, patents and trade secrets in a globalized world.
- 2017Prelims Q34Which statements on National IPR Policy commitments and nodal agency are correct?
- 2002Prelims Q22Which statements on WIPO and TRIPS Agreement are correct?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Concept Note released by DPIIT proposes that India accede to the Riyadh Design Law Treaty.
- 2.The Concept Note proposes a full grace period of 6 months for design applications.
- 3.The Designs Act, 2000 is administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The Concept Note proposes that India accede to the Riyadh Design Law Treaty.
True. Accession to the Riyadh DLT is proposed.
2.The proposed amendments would extend design protection to virtual designs.
True. The definitions of 'article' and 'design' would be changed to cover virtual designs.
3.The Concept Note proposes that publication of a design can be deferred for up to 30 months.
True. Deferral of up to 30 months is proposed.
4.The Hague Agreement concerns the international registration of industrial designs.
True. The Hague Agreement provides for international registration of industrial designs.
5.The Designs Act, 2000 replaced the Designs Act, 1911.
True. The 2000 Act replaced the 1911 Act.
6.The Designs Act, 2000 is administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
False. It is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.