CS Executive · Paper 6
CS Executive Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws
Paper 6 is a 100-mark, 3-hour written paper. Part I (60 marks) covers economic and commercial laws such as FEMA, competition, consumer protection and RERA. Part II (40 marks) covers intellectual property laws. You score by writing the provision, applying it to the facts, and giving a clear conclusion.
Paper 6 is a descriptive paper of 100 marks and 3 hours, with 15 extra minutes to read the question paper. It has two parts. Part I, Economic and Commercial Laws, carries 60 marks. Part II, Intellectual Property Laws, carries 40 marks. There are no MCQs and no negative marking. To pass the group you need at least 40% in each paper and 50% in the group aggregate.
The paper tests whether you know the statute and can use it. Part I covers foreign exchange, foreign investment, overseas investment, foreign trade policy, special economic zones, foreign contribution, money laundering, competition, consumer protection, legal metrology and real estate regulation. Part II covers patents, trade marks, copyright, geographical indications and designs. Questions usually ask you to explain a provision, list conditions or authorities, or apply a rule to a short fact pattern.
Students usually find this paper wide rather than deep. Many chapters are separate Acts with their own authorities, definitions, penalties and procedures. Students who score well do two things. They learn the key terms and structure of each law precisely. They also practise writing short, organised answers. Students who only read once tend to blur similar rules across chapters, such as the different authorities and appeal routes. Note that some lessons were removed from this paper from the December 2025 examination, so always check the current syllabus before you study a topic.
Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws: chapters and topics
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Law relating to Foreign Exchange Management
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Foreign Direct Investments - Regulations and Policy
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Overseas Direct Investment
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Foreign Trade Policy and Procedure
- FTDR Act 1992: Objectives and Key Definitions
- Foreign Trade Policy under Section 5 of the FTDR Act
- Director General of Foreign Trade and Administration
- Importer-Exporter Code and Licensing of Imports and Exports
- Export Promotion Schemes and Authorisations
- Penalties, Adjudication and Appeals under the FTDR Act
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Law relating to Special Economic Zones
- SEZ Act 2005: Objectives, Definitions and Scope
- Approval Authorities and Administrative Framework
- Establishment of SEZ and Approval Procedure
- Duties, Concessions and Incentives for SEZ
- Existing SEZs, Ports and Airports in SEZ
- Power to Modify Provisions and Other Laws in SEZ
- Offences, Penalties, Special Courts and Dispute Resolution
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Law relating to Foreign Contribution Regulation
- FCRA 2010: Introduction, Definitions and Scope
- Prohibition on Acceptance of Foreign Contribution
- Registration, Prior Permission and Renewal
- Receipt, Utilisation and Administrative Expenses
- Accounts, Audit, Returns and Disclosure
- Suspension, Cancellation and Management of Foreign Contribution
- Powers of Inquiry, Seizure, Penalties and Offences
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Prevention of Money Laundering
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Competition Law
- Competition Act 2002: Introduction and Key Definitions
- Anti-Competitive Agreements
- Abuse of Dominant Position
- Combinations: Regulation of Mergers and Acquisitions
- Competition Commission of India: Composition and Selection
- Duties, Powers and Functions of the Commission
- Competition Advocacy
- Appeals, Appellate Tribunal and Enforcement
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Law relating to Consumer Protection
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Legal Metrology
Part I: Economic and Commercial Laws
Real Estate Regulation and Development Law
- RERA 2016: Introduction, Objectives and Key Definitions
- Registration of Real Estate Projects and Agents
- Functions and Duties of Promoters
- Rights and Duties of Allottees
- Real Estate Regulatory Authority and Its Functions
- Real Estate Appellate Tribunal and Dispute Resolution
- Offences, Penalties and Miscellaneous Provisions
Part II: Intellectual Property Laws
Intellectual Property Rights
- Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights
- Copyright: Subject Matter, Ownership and Term
- Copyright Infringement and Civil Remedies
- Authorities and Rights Under Copyright
- Patents: Patentability and Procedure
- Rights of Patentee, Co-owners and Dealing with Patents
- Compulsory Licensing, Revocation and Patent Infringement
Part II: Intellectual Property Laws
Law relating to Patents
- Introduction to Patents and Patentable Inventions
- Inventions Not Patentable (Sections 3 and 4)
- Patent Application and Grant Procedure
- Rights, Ownership and Co-owners of Patents
- Compulsory Licences, Revocation and Surrender
- Infringement, Remedies and Appeals
- Patent Agents, Controller and Information Relating to Patents
- International Arrangements and PCT
Part II: Intellectual Property Laws
Law relating to Trade Marks
- Introduction and Key Definitions under Trade Marks Act
- Register of Trade Marks and Registration Procedure
- Effect of Registration, Duration and Renewal
- Assignment and Transmission of Registered Trade Marks
- Infringement, Passing Off and Remedies
- Offences, Penalties and Imported Goods with False Marks
- Appellate Board, Appeals and Special Provisions
Part II: Intellectual Property Laws
Law relating to Copyright
Part II: Intellectual Property Laws
Law relating to Geographical Indications of Goods
- Introduction to Geographical Indications and TRIPS
- Definitions under the GI Act, 1999
- Registrar, Register and Registration Procedure
- Prohibition of Registration and Homonymous GIs
- Effect, Duration and Renewal of Registration
- Infringement, Offences and Penalties
- Appeals and Intellectual Property Appellate Board
Part II: Intellectual Property Laws
Law relating to Designs
How to prepare Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws
With 17 chapters across many Acts, you need a plan that covers everything, keeps similar laws apart and builds writing speed. Work in this order.
- Get the current syllabus and study material for the June 2027 session. Mark any lessons removed from the paper so you do not waste time on them.
- Split your time by part. Part I has 60 marks and 11 chapters, so it needs more hours. Do not neglect Part II, since its 40 marks come from five related laws that are easy to revise together.
- Read each chapter once for the structure. For every law, note the objective, key definitions, authorities, main prohibitions or requirements, penalties and appeals. Use the same template for each chapter so you can compare them later.
- Build one-page summary sheets per chapter. For the foreign-exchange group (FEMA, FDI, ODI, Foreign Trade Policy, SEZ, FCRA, PMLA) list who regulates, who approves, and what is permitted or restricted. Keep the wording close to the statute and rules.
- In Part II, make a comparison sheet for patents, trade marks, copyright, GI and designs. Cover what is protected, who can apply, the registration process, the term of protection, and what counts as infringement. Comparison is the best way to stop mixing them up.
- Learn the amendments. Read the latest changes to each Act and rules from the official text or ICSI updates. Examiners often test current provisions, so outdated notes cost marks.
- Practise written answers. After each chapter, write answers to past ICSI questions in the pattern of provision, application and conclusion. Cite the Act and section only where you are certain of it.
- In the last weeks, revise from your summary sheets, then sit two or three full 3-hour mock papers. Check where you lost marks and fix those chapters first.
Time management in the exam
- Use the 15 minutes of reading time to read every question and choose your order. Start with the questions you can answer fully and confidently.
- Divide your time roughly by marks. A 100-mark paper in 180 minutes gives you a little under two minutes per mark, so keep some time at the end for review.
- Respect the part split. Part I has more marks than Part II, so do not spend extra time on Part II questions just because you know them well.
- Set a hard stop for each question. If you pass the limit, leave a gap and move on. Return to it if time remains.
- For case-style questions, spend the first minute listing the facts and the relevant provision, then write. A short plan stops you from drifting.
- Keep the last 10 to 15 minutes to check that every question is attempted, numbering is correct and key terms are spelled right.
Mistakes that cost marks in Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws
Treating the paper as 17 unrelated chapters and reading each once
Fix: Use a common template and one-page summaries per chapter, and schedule at least two revision rounds.
Mixing up authorities, forums and appeal routes across similar laws
Fix: Make a table in your notes for each law showing who regulates, who adjudicates and where appeals go. Revise it often.
Confusing the different IP laws
Fix: Keep a comparison sheet of what each protects, the registration process, the term, and infringement. Practise short answers that start by naming what the law protects.
Studying outdated or removed content
Fix: Use only the current syllabus and the latest amendments. Check the official text when a provision seems different from your notes.
Writing general answers without the provision
Fix: Open with the rule in its exact terms, apply it to the facts, and end with a clear conclusion. Cite the Act and section only when you are sure of it.
Skipping written practice until close to the exam
Fix: Write at least a few answers after every chapter and do timed mock papers so that you can finish all questions in 3 hours.
Economic, Commercial and Intellectual Property Laws: frequently asked questions
How many marks is Paper 6 and how is it divided?
Paper 6 carries 100 marks. Part I, Economic and Commercial Laws, carries 60 marks. Part II, Intellectual Property Laws, carries 40 marks.
Is Paper 6 an MCQ paper?
No. It is a descriptive written paper of 3 hours, with 15 extra minutes to read the question paper. There is no negative marking.
What do I need to pass Paper 6?
You need at least 40% in this paper and 50% in the aggregate of Group 2 at one sitting. If you fail the group but score 60% or more in this paper and at least 25% in each other paper of the group, you can claim exemption from it in later attempts by applying before the enrolment deadline.
Which part should I study first?
Start with Part I, since it has more marks and more chapters. Start Part II early enough to revise it in the comparison format, because its five laws are closely related.
Should I use older study material for this paper?
Be careful. Some lessons were removed from Paper 6 from the December 2025 examination, and several laws are amended often. Use the current syllabus and updated material for June 2027.