Trademark registration online Class selection, drafting and TM-A filing for ₹2,499 per class.
A registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your brand name or logo for the goods or services it is registered for, and the right to sue for infringement. We choose your classes, draft the goods and services, file Form TM-A on the IP India portal and track the application through examination, advertisement and registration.
Reviewed by Regikart's CA team · Last updated 21 September 2026
₹2,499 per class plus GST. IP India fee paid at actuals and shown separately.
Fixed quote, before you pay
Get your trademark registration quote
Leave your name and number. Our team checks your mark against the register, recommends the classes and sends a fixed written quote, with the IP India government fee shown separately.
- From ₹2,499, government fees (if any) at actuals
- Search, class selection, filing on IP India and replies to objections handled by our team
- 250+ clients served from Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru, and remotely across India
At a glance
| Our fee | Government fee (e-filing) | Classes | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹2,499 per class per mark | ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 per class | 45 (1-34 goods, 35-45 services) | 10 years from application date, renewable |
What it is
What is trademark registration?
Trademark registration is the entry of your brand name, logo or other mark in the Register of Trade Marks under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. It is filed with the Registrar of Trade Marks on the IP India portal in Form TM-A.
A registered trademark gives its owner the exclusive right to use the mark for the registered goods or services, and to obtain relief for infringement (section 28). Without registration you can still act against copycats through a passing-off claim, but you must prove your reputation first, which is slower and harder.
Registration is not compulsory to run a business. It matters when the brand is valuable: before a launch, before spending on marketing, before listing on marketplaces, and before an investor or buyer asks who owns the name.
Who can apply
Who can apply for a trademark
Anyone who uses, or proposes to use, a mark for their goods or services can apply (section 18). You do not need to have started selling.
If you plan to form a company soon, you can file in your own name now and assign the mark to the company later. See trademark assignment.
- Individuals and sole proprietors apply in their own name and pay the lower ₹4,500 fee.
- Partnership firms apply in the names of the partners.
- Private limited companies, LLPs and OPCs apply in the entity's name. They pay ₹4,500 if they are a DPIIT-recognised startup or a small enterprise, and ₹9,000 otherwise.
- Trusts, societies and Section 8 companies apply in the entity's name.
- Foreign individuals and companies can apply in India, usually with an Indian address for service.
Mark types
What you can register: word, logo or both
Most businesses should start with a word mark. It protects the name itself, in any font, colour or style.
Word mark
Protects: The name or slogan as plain text, in any styling
Best for: Most businesses: the name is what customers remember and search for
Device mark (logo)
Protects: The logo as filed, including its design
Best for: A distinctive logo you will use for years
Combined mark
Protects: The name and logo together, as one image
Best for: Budget filings, but protection is tied to that exact combination
If you change your logo, a combined mark may no longer match what you use. That is why we usually file the word mark first and the logo separately once the design is final. For name-only filings, see wordmark registration; for the logo, see logo registration.
Trademark classes
Choosing your trademark class
Goods and services are grouped into 45 classes under the NICE Classification: classes 1 to 34 are goods and 35 to 45 are services. You pay a separate fee for each class, so choosing the right classes controls both cost and protection.
File in the classes you use now and the ones you will enter soon. A mark registered only in class 25 (clothing) does not stop someone using a similar name for software in class 9.
Common businesses and their classes
| Your business | Classes usually filed |
|---|---|
| Software product or mobile app | 9 (downloadable software), 42 (SaaS, software development) |
| IT services, web development agency | 42, often 35 |
| Online store or retail brand | 35 (retail and online store services), plus the class of the goods sold |
| Clothing and fashion | 25 (clothing, footwear), 35 if you run the store |
| Cosmetics, skincare, personal care | 3 |
| Medicines, supplements, ayurvedic products | 5 |
| Packaged food, snacks, spices | 29 or 30, depending on the product |
| Tea, coffee, bakery, sweets | 30 |
| Non-alcoholic beverages, juices, water | 32 |
| Restaurant, café, cloud kitchen, catering | 43 |
| Coaching, education, training, events | 41 |
| Financial services, insurance, real estate | 36 |
| Clinics, salons, wellness services | 44 |
| Travel, logistics, delivery | 39 |
| Consultancy, marketing, business services | 35 |
This table is a starting point. The exact description of goods or services inside each class matters as much as the class number, and we draft it for your business.
Search first
Search before you file
A search before filing is the cheapest protection you can buy. It shows whether an identical or similar mark is already registered or applied for in your classes.
We search the IP India register for identical, phonetically similar and visually similar marks in your target classes and related classes. If we find a conflict, we tell you before you pay the government fee, and suggest changes that improve your chances.
A clean search does not guarantee registration. The examiner can still raise an objection, and someone can still oppose, but the risk is much lower.
The process
The trademark registration process, stage by stage
A trademark goes through six stages after filing. Two of them have fixed statutory windows: one month to reply to an examination report, and four months for anyone to oppose after the mark is advertised.
| Stage | What happens | Time limit or status |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Filing | We file Form TM-A online and pay the fee. The portal gives the application number when the filing is completed. | You can use ™ from now |
| 2. Formalities check | The Registry checks the application is complete. Logo marks are also coded under the Vienna Classification of figurative elements. | Status moves to "Formalities Chk Pass" or asks for corrections |
| 3. Examination | The examiner checks the mark against sections 9 and 11 and issues an examination report. | Report issued by the Registry |
| 4. Reply to objection | If the report raises objections, we file a written reply. If the reply is not accepted, a show-cause hearing is fixed. | Reply within one month of receiving the report (Rule 33, Trade Marks Rules, 2017) |
| 5. Advertisement | Once accepted, the mark is published in the Trade Marks Journal. | Anyone may oppose within four months of advertisement (section 21) |
| 6. Registration | If there is no opposition, or it is decided in your favour, the mark is registered and the certificate issued. | You can use ® from now |
If you do not reply to an examination report within one month, the Registrar may treat the application as abandoned. We calendar every deadline and draft the reply for you. For hearings, see trademark hearing.
How long it takes
Filing itself is quick once documents are ready. The full journey to a certificate takes many months, because examination, any objection, and the four-month opposition window all come before registration.
An application that meets an objection or opposition takes longer. You do not need to wait to use your brand: ™ can be used from the filing date, and protection, once granted, runs from the application date.
Examination
Objections: what sections 9 and 11 mean
An objection is the examiner's reason for not accepting the mark as filed. It is common, and a well-argued reply often overcomes it.
Section 9: absolute grounds
These are about the mark itself.
- The mark is not distinctive, for example a common word for the product ("Fresh Juice" for juice).
- It describes the kind, quality, purpose, value or origin of the goods ("Best", "Pure", "Delhi").
- It has become customary in the trade.
- It is likely to deceive, hurt religious sentiment, or is prohibited by law.
A descriptive mark can still be registered if you show it has acquired distinctiveness through use, with evidence such as sales and advertising records.
Section 11: relative grounds
These are about earlier marks.
The examiner objects if your mark is identical or similar to an earlier mark for identical or similar goods or services and is likely to confuse the public, or if it takes unfair advantage of a well-known mark.
Replies to section 11 objections usually argue differences in the marks, the goods, or the trade channels, and may rely on your own prior use.
After advertisement
Opposition by a third party
After advertisement, any person can file a notice of opposition in Form TM-O within four months. Opposition is different from objection: an objection comes from the Registry, an opposition comes from another business.
If your mark is opposed, you must file a counter-statement, and both sides then file evidence before a hearing. If you do not file the counter-statement in time, the application can be treated as abandoned. See trademark opposition for how we handle both sides.
Form TM-M
Expedited examination
You can ask the Registry to examine your application faster by filing a request in Form TM-M for expedited examination. The government fee is ₹20,000 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises, and ₹40,000 per class for others, e-filing only.
It suits businesses with a launch, funding round or marketplace deadline. Expedited examination speeds up the Registry's steps; it does not shorten the four-month opposition window.
™ vs ®
Using ™ and ®
Use ™ from the day you file. Use ® only after the mark is registered.
| Point | ™ | ® |
|---|---|---|
| When you can use it | From filing, or even for an unregistered mark you claim | Only after registration, for the registered goods or services |
| What it tells people | You claim the mark as yours | The mark is on the Register of Trade Marks |
| Legal protection | Passing-off claim, based on your reputation | Infringement action under the Act, plus passing off |
| Risk | None | Using ® on an unregistered mark is falsely representing it as registered, an offence under section 107 |
Documents
Documents required
We send a checklist on day one. The list depends on who the applicant is.
For every application
- Name, address and nationality of the applicant (or constitution and place of incorporation for an entity)
- The mark: the word as it should be registered, and a clear JPG of the logo for device or combined marks
- The goods or services you sell or plan to sell
- Date of first use in India, if you already use the mark; if you claim use before filing, an affidavit of use with evidence such as invoices, packaging or advertisements
- A signed authorisation letting us file as your agent
By applicant type
| Applicant | Identity and constitution documents |
|---|---|
| Individual or sole proprietor | PAN and Aadhaar or passport; address proof |
| Partnership firm | Partnership deed; PAN of the firm and partners |
| Private limited company, OPC or LLP | Certificate of incorporation; PAN of the entity |
| Trust, society or Section 8 company | Registration certificate or trust deed; PAN |
To claim the lower ₹4,500 fee
- Small enterprise: Udyam registration certificate. See Udyam registration.
- Startup: DPIIT recognition certificate. See Startup India registration.
- Individuals do not need a certificate.
If any joint applicant does not qualify for the lower fee, the ₹9,000 fee applies to the whole application.
Fees
Trademark registration fees
You pay two separate amounts: our professional fee of ₹2,499 per class per mark, and the IP India government fee of ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 per class.
Our professional fee
| What we do | Regikart fee |
|---|---|
| Class selection, drafting of goods and services, Form TM-A filing and status tracking | ₹2,499 per class per mark |
| Search of the register before filing | Confirmed in your written quote |
| Objection reply, hearing, opposition, expedited examination request | On quote, in writing before we start |
IP India government fee
| Applicant | E-filing (per class, per mark) | Physical filing (per class, per mark) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, DPIIT-recognised startup or small enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Any other applicant (for example a private limited company that is not a startup or small enterprise, an LLP or a partnership) | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
We file online, so the e-filing fee applies. There is no government fee for filing a reply to an examination report or for attending a show-cause hearing.
What it costs: examples
| Applicant | Classes | Our fee | Government fee | Total before GST on our fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual founder | 1 | ₹2,499 | ₹4,500 | ₹6,999 |
| DPIIT-recognised startup | 2 (9 and 42) | ₹4,998 | ₹9,000 | ₹13,998 |
| Private limited company, not a startup or small enterprise | 1 | ₹2,499 | ₹9,000 | ₹11,499 |
Professional fees exclude GST at 18%. Government fees, where they apply, are paid at actuals to the department and are shown separately. Fees verified on 21 September 2026.
Check your brand before you pay the government fee
Send us your brand name, logo and what you sell. We will suggest the classes, confirm whether you qualify for the ₹4,500 fee and quote for a search of the register.
Validity
Validity and renewal
A trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of application, not from the date the certificate is issued. It can be renewed every 10 years, without limit.
This follows from two sections of the Act. Section 23(1) says a mark, when registered, is registered as of the date of the application. Section 25(1) says registration lasts ten years and can be renewed. So a mark filed on 21 September 2026 and registered in 2027 is due for renewal on 21 September 2036.
Renewal is filed in Form TM-R. The government fee is ₹9,000 per class on e-filing, with a surcharge if you renew within six months after expiry. See trademark renewal.
IP rights compared
Trademark vs copyright vs patent vs design
Each right protects something different. Many businesses need more than one: a trademark for the brand, copyright for content or software, a design for a product's shape.
| Point | Trademark | Copyright | Patent | Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protects | Brand names, logos, slogans that identify your goods or services | Original literary, artistic, musical and dramatic works, films, sound recordings, software code | New inventions with an inventive step and industrial use | The shape, pattern or ornamentation of an article |
| Law | Trade Marks Act, 1999 | Copyright Act, 1957 | Patents Act, 1970 | Designs Act, 2000 |
| Is registration needed? | Not to use, but needed for infringement rights under the Act | Right arises on creation; registration gives evidence of ownership | Yes, a patent must be granted | Yes |
| Term | 10 years, renewable without limit | Generally the author's life plus 60 years | 20 years from filing | 10 years, extendable by 5 years |
| Government fee (e-filing) | ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 per class | ₹500 per literary or artistic work; ₹2,000 for artwork used on goods or services, such as a logo | Application ₹1,600 (individuals, startups, small entities) or ₹8,000 (others), before examination fees | ₹1,000 (individuals, startups, small entities) or ₹4,000 (others) per design per class |
A logo can be protected both as a trademark and as an artistic work under copyright.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes that cost applicants their mark
These are the problems we fix most often, and each can cost the government fee or the mark itself.
1. Filing without a search.
A clash found after filing leads to an objection or opposition, and the fee is not refunded.
2. Choosing a descriptive name.
"Best Spices" or "Quick Delivery" invite a section 9 objection. A coined or unusual word is easier to register and to protect.
3. Wrong or too few classes.
Filing only in class 35 when you sell your own products leaves the goods unprotected. Read the class table above, then check with us.
4. Missing the one-month reply window.
An unanswered examination report can lead to abandonment. Watch the email linked to your application, or let us track it.
5. Paying the wrong fee.
A company that is a startup or small enterprise but files without its certificate pays ₹9,000 instead of ₹4,500 per class. A company that claims the lower fee without proof risks a defect.
6. Using ® too early.
Using ® before registration is an offence under section 107. Use ™ until the certificate is issued.
7. Filing a combined mark, then changing the logo.
Protection is tied to the exact combination filed. File the word mark separately.
Why Regikart
Why brand owners use Regikart
Regikart Private Limited serves 250+ clients. Trademark filings are prepared by our IP team and reviewed by Regikart's CA team before they reach the IP India portal.
Search before fee. You know the risk before paying the government fee.
One fixed fee per class. ₹2,499 per class per mark, with the government fee shown separately and any later work quoted in writing first.
The lower fee claimed where you qualify. We check your Udyam or DPIIT status and file the proof.
Brand and business under one roof. Company or LLP registration, Startup India recognition, GST and trademarks handled by one team, so the brand owner and the business owner match.
Offices in Kolkata (Head Office), Delhi and Bengaluru, with applicants across India served online. Call or WhatsApp +91 70444 94804, or email [email protected].
Related
Trademark renewal
Form TM-R every 10 years, counted from the application date.
Trademark opposition
Counter-statement, evidence and hearing, on either side.
Trademark assignment
Move a mark from a founder to the company and record it.
Trademark infringement
Act against copycats once your mark is registered.
Company registration
Form the company that will own and use the brand.
Trademark registration FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Fees, classes, timelines, objections and validity, answered.
How much does trademark registration cost in India?
You pay our professional fee of ₹2,499 per class per mark plus GST, and the IP India government fee. The government fee on e-filing is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, DPIIT-recognised startups and small enterprises, and ₹9,000 per class for other applicants. An individual filing in one class pays ₹6,999 in total before GST on our fee.
Who qualifies for the ₹4,500 trademark fee?
Individuals, startups recognised by DPIIT and small enterprises qualify for ₹4,500 per class on e-filing. A startup files its DPIIT recognition certificate and a small enterprise files proof such as its Udyam certificate. If any joint applicant falls outside these categories, the ₹9,000 fee applies. A private limited company that is neither a startup nor a small enterprise pays ₹9,000.
Trademark registration mein kitna time lagta hai?
Filing takes little time once documents are ready, and you can use the ™ symbol from the filing date. Reaching the registration certificate takes many months, because the application goes through examination, any objection reply, advertisement in the Trade Marks Journal and a four-month opposition window. Objections or oppositions add more time.
How long is a registered trademark valid?
A trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of application, because section 23(1) of the Trade Marks Act registers the mark as of the application date and section 25(1) gives a ten-year term. It can be renewed every 10 years without limit by filing Form TM-R. The e-filing renewal fee is ₹9,000 per class.
How many trademark classes are there and how do I choose?
There are 45 classes under the NICE Classification: classes 1 to 34 cover goods and 35 to 45 cover services. Choose the classes for what you sell now and plan to sell soon. For example, a SaaS business usually files in classes 9 and 42, a clothing brand in 25, and a restaurant in 43. Each class needs its own fee.
When can I use the TM and R symbols?
You can use ™ from the day you file the application, or for any mark you claim as yours. You can use ® only after the mark is registered, and only for the registered goods or services. Using ® on a mark that is not registered is falsely representing it as registered, which is an offence under section 107 of the Trade Marks Act.
What is a trademark objection and how long do I have to reply?
An objection is raised in the examination report when the examiner finds a problem under section 9, such as a descriptive mark, or section 11, such as a similar earlier mark. You must reply within one month of receiving the report under Rule 33 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, or the application may be treated as abandoned. There is no government fee for the reply.
What is the difference between a trademark objection and opposition?
An objection comes from the Trade Marks Registry during examination, before the mark is advertised. An opposition comes from a third party, who files Form TM-O within four months of the mark being advertised in the Trade Marks Journal. An objection is answered with a reply and possibly a hearing; an opposition needs a counter-statement, evidence and a hearing.
Can an individual register a trademark without a company?
Yes. An individual or sole proprietor can apply in their own name, without any registered business, and pays the lower ₹4,500 government fee per class. You can apply for a mark you propose to use, not only one already in use. If you form a company later, the trademark can be assigned to it and the assignment recorded with the Registry.
Should I register a word mark or a logo?
Start with the word mark in most cases. It protects the name in any font, colour or style, which is how customers search and remember you. A logo filing protects the design as filed, and a combined mark protects only that exact combination. If the logo matters, file it separately once the design is final.
What documents are needed for trademark registration?
You need the applicant's name, address and identity or incorporation documents, the mark itself (a clear image for a logo), the list of goods or services, the date of first use if the mark is already used, and a signed authorisation for us to file as your agent. Startups and small enterprises add their DPIIT or Udyam certificate to claim the ₹4,500 fee.
Can I speed up trademark registration?
Yes. You can request expedited examination in Form TM-M. The government fee is ₹20,000 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises, and ₹40,000 per class for others, on e-filing only. It speeds up the Registry's processing, but the four-month opposition window after advertisement still applies in full.
Is trademark registration mandatory in India?
No. You can use a brand without registering it and rely on a passing-off claim if someone copies it. Registration gives you the exclusive statutory right to use the mark for the registered goods or services and a direct infringement action under section 28, which is far easier to enforce. Marketplaces and investors also commonly ask for it.
What is the difference between a trademark and copyright?
A trademark protects a brand name, logo or slogan that identifies your goods or services, for 10 years at a time, renewable. Copyright protects original creative works such as text, artwork, music, films and software code, and generally lasts for the author's life plus 60 years. A logo can be protected by both: as a trademark and as an artistic work.
Talk to Regikart
Start your trademark application
Send us your brand name, logo if you have one, and a line about what you sell. We will recommend the classes, quote for a search and confirm the total cost before we file.
Contact
+91 70444 94804 · [email protected] · Kolkata (Head Office) · Delhi · Bengaluru
Our fee
₹2,499 per class per mark
Government fee
₹4,500 or ₹9,000 per class
Reviewed by
Regikart's CA team
Offices
Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru
Trademark registration in your city
Which Trade Marks Registry office covers your city, and how we file for local businesses.