The one-month transfer window of the Indian Premier League (IPL), scheduled to start on Monday, has been put off by a week to allow the eight franchises to do their homework.

The window now has been rescheduled from December 22 to January 22. It has been done because the franchises want some more time to do their homework, said IPL tournament director Dhiraj Malhotra.

Malhotra also rubbished suggestions that it was done because of the delays on the part of IPL management in responding to queries of the franchises.

Basically it was done to give more time to the franchise owners to make their plans, he said.

The eight franchise teams are Rajasthan Royals from Jaipur; Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI; Punjab, Mumbai Indians; Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad; Royal Challengers, Bangalore; Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Meanwhile, the IPL Governing Council, headed by its Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi, is to hold a two-day meeting in Mumbai from Monday to meet the representatives of all the franchises about the regulations for the second season set to commence in April 2009.

"The Governing Council will meet the franchise representatives to discuss the regulations and the move forward for the next season. Its being held in Mumbai tomorrow and on Tuesday," Malhotra said.