ICSI and CGPDTM Launch Three-Day Trademarks Certificate Course for Company Secretaries in Hyderabad

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India has announced a new three-day Joint Certificate Course on Trademarks in association with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. The programme is scheduled for September 17 to September 19, 2026 at ICSI-CCGRT Hyderabad and is designed specifically for Company Secretaries who want practical exposure to trademark filing, prosecution, enforcement and commercialisation.

The brochure was published by ICSI in its current announcements on August 29, 2026. It offers both residential and non-residential participation and carries 10 Structured CPE credits for eligible ICSI members.

Course dates, venue and participation options

The programme will be held at ICSI-CCGRT Hyderabad, Survey No. 1, IDA, Velugutta, Uppal Genpact Road, near Mallikarjunaswamy Temple, Hyderabad - 500039. ICSI says seats will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, making early registration relevant for members planning to attend.

- Residential fee: ₹11,000 plus GST. The brochure says this includes meals for all three days and twin-sharing accommodation.

- Non-residential fee: ₹6,500 plus GST. This includes meals for the three programme days but not accommodation.

- CPE: 10 Structured CPE credits.

- Dates: September 17-19, 2026.

What the trademark course will cover

The curriculum is broader than a basic trademark-filing overview. ICSI's programme outline starts with the intellectual-property framework and the types of marks that can be protected, then moves into the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the practical documentation used in applications and proceedings.

Participants are expected to work through public-search techniques, preparation and filing of Form TM-A, classification and application strategy, and procedural issues involving affidavits, stamp duty, notarisation and powers of attorney. The brochure also includes the treatment of startups, MSMEs and eligible applicants under the relevant fee and facilitation framework.

A substantial part of the programme focuses on examination and prosecution. Topics include absolute and relative grounds for refusal under Sections 9 and 11, responses to examination objections, opposition proceedings and hearings before the Trade Marks Registry. For professionals advising businesses, these sessions can connect legal requirements with the evidence and documentation that a client needs to prepare before and after filing.

Commercial use, international protection and enforcement

The later modules extend to licensing, assignment, renewal and rectification of trademarks, giving Company Secretaries a view of intellectual property as a business asset rather than merely a registration exercise. The programme also covers the international framework, including the Madrid system, the Paris Convention and TRIPS, as well as the practical implications of seeking protection outside India.

ICSI has also listed sessions on digital enforcement and practical workshops. The programme outline refers to geographical indications and related intellectual-property issues, which can be useful for professionals working with consumer brands, exporters, startups and businesses that hold or acquire intangible assets.

Why the programme matters for Company Secretaries

Trademark work often intersects with corporate transactions and governance assignments. During incorporation, restructuring, fundraising, due diligence, licensing, franchising or acquisition transactions, professionals may need to verify who owns a mark, whether assignments have been recorded, whether renewals are pending and whether litigation or opposition could affect the value of the asset.

For a practising Company Secretary, familiarity with the registration and post-registration lifecycle can also help in coordinating with trademark agents and counsel, reviewing board approvals for assignments or licences, and identifying IP issues during secretarial or transaction diligence. The joint format with the CGPDTM gives the programme a direct regulatory and procedural orientation.

How to register

ICSI's brochure provides separate registration links for the two participation modes. The residential registration portal and the non-residential registration portal are hosted on ICSI's programme platform.

For programme queries, the brochure identifies Mr V. Sesham Raju as the contact person and provides the email address v.raju@icsi.edu, along with telephone numbers 040-27177722 and 011-45341041.

ICSI states that participants who successfully complete the programme will receive a joint certificate from ICSI and the CGPDTM. Members interested in expanding into intellectual-property advisory work should review the official brochure before registering, particularly the fee, accommodation and seat-availability conditions.

Key takeaway

New first-party ICSI programme announcement with dates, fees, registration routes, CPE credits and a specialised IP-practice focus.