Government fee at a glance
This fee is prescribed in the First Schedule of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, and is paid directly to the Trade Marks Registry through the IP India portal. It has not been revised since 2017. It is charged on Form TM-A, the application form for registering a trademark.
| Applicant type | Online (e-filing) | Physical filing |
|---|---|---|
| Individual / Sole proprietor | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| DPIIT-recognised startup | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Small enterprise (Udyam / MSME) | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Private limited company | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| LLP / partnership firm | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Any other applicant | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
All figures are per class, per trademark. Filing online is always cheaper, and it is what almost everyone does — physical filing at a Registry office exists mainly for exceptional cases.
Who qualifies for the lower fee
The concessional rate is roughly half the standard rate, so it is worth checking carefully before you file. Three categories qualify:
- Individuals filing in their own name, including sole proprietors who file personally rather than under a business entity.
- Startups recognised by DPIIT under the Startup India scheme. The recognition certificate must be attached at the time of filing.
- Small and micro enterprises holding a valid Udyam registration certificate.
Why the fee multiplies per class
Indian trademark law follows the Nice Classification, which divides all goods and services into 45 classes. Your registration only protects you in the classes you actually file in.
A clothing brand that also runs an online store, for example, may need Class 25 for the garments and Class 35 for the retail services. That is two classes, so the government fee doubles — ₹9,000 for an individual, ₹18,000 for a company.
Choosing classes accurately at the start is the single biggest cost decision you will make. Filing in the wrong class usually means paying twice: once for the amendment, and again for a fresh application in the correct class. If you are unsure which classes apply to your business, our trademark class finder lists all 45 classes with what each one covers.
Professional or attorney fee
The government fee is what you pay the Registry. The professional fee is what you pay a trademark agent or advocate to do the work — and unlike the government fee, it is not fixed by anyone.
Rates in India vary widely. A reasonable professional fee should cover:
- A proper availability search across the IP India database, including phonetically similar marks
- Correct class selection and a precise description of goods or services
- Drafting and filing Form TM-A
- Tracking the application and informing you of status changes
- Replying to the examination report if an objection is raised
Ask exactly what is included before paying. Very low quoted fees often exclude the objection reply, which is where most applications actually need help. GST at 18% applies to professional fees, but not to the government fee itself.
Costs people forget to budget
Most cost guides stop at the filing fee. In practice, a meaningful share of applications need at least one of the following:
| Situation | Form | Government fee (online) |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal on time, after 10 years | TM-R | ₹9,000 per class |
| Late renewal within the 6-month grace period | TM-R | ₹13,500 per class |
| Restoring a mark removed from the register | TM-R | ₹18,000 per class |
| Opposing someone else's mark | TM-O | ₹2,700 per class |
| Expedited examination | TM-M | ₹20,000 or ₹40,000 per class |
Beyond these, budget for the possibility of an examination report. The Registry raises objections on a large share of applications — commonly under Section 9 (the mark is descriptive) or Section 11 (it conflicts with an earlier mark). Replying costs professional time even though the Registry charges nothing for the reply itself. If a hearing is scheduled, that is more time again.
An opposition filed by a third party is the expensive scenario. It turns a filing into a contested proceeding that can run for months.
Not sure which class your brand falls under?
Send us your brand name and what you sell. We will check the class and search the IP India database for conflicts — free of charge.
Realistic total cost
Putting it together for a single class, one trademark:
- Filing entirely on your own: ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 — just the government fee. Possible, but you carry the risk of a wrong class or a weak description.
- Filing through a professional: government fee plus their charges plus 18% GST on the professional portion.
- If an objection is raised: add the cost of drafting a reply, and of a hearing if one is fixed.
For two classes, double the government fee. Professional fees for additional classes are often discounted, since much of the work is shared.
Worked examples: what different businesses pay
The government fee alone, for a single trademark:
| Business | Classes needed | Applicant type | Government fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelance designer, own name | 1 (Class 42) | Individual | ₹4,500 |
| Clothing label with an online store | 2 (Classes 25, 35) | Individual | ₹9,000 |
| Same label, but filed by a Pvt Ltd with Udyam | 2 (Classes 25, 35) | MSME | ₹9,000 |
| Same label, Pvt Ltd with no Udyam | 2 (Classes 25, 35) | Company | ₹18,000 |
| SaaS company, app plus platform | 2 (Classes 9, 42) | DPIIT startup | ₹9,000 |
| Restaurant with packaged food | 3 (Classes 29, 30, 43) | Company | ₹27,000 |
Two things stand out. First, the number of classes drives the bill more than anything else. Second, the same business can pay half as much purely by getting an Udyam registration before it files.
How to keep the cost down
- Search before you file. The government fee is non-refundable. A conflicting earlier mark discovered after filing costs you the entire fee.
- Get Udyam or DPIIT registration first if you are eligible. It halves the government fee and takes far less time than the trademark process itself.
- File online, not on paper. Paper filing is simply more expensive for the same outcome.
- File only in classes you genuinely operate in. Speculative extra classes cost real money and can be challenged for non-use later.
- Pick a distinctive mark. Descriptive names attract Section 9 objections, and objections are where costs escalate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the government fee for trademark registration in India?
It is ₹4,500 per class if you file online as an individual, a DPIIT-recognised startup, or a business registered under Udyam (MSME). Everyone else — including private limited companies and LLPs — pays ₹9,000 per class. Filing on paper instead of online costs ₹500 to ₹1,000 more.
Is the trademark fee charged per class or per application?
Per class. If your brand covers two classes, you pay the fee twice. A single application can list several classes, but the fee is still calculated class by class.
Can a private limited company get the ₹4,500 rate?
Only if it holds a valid Udyam (MSME) registration or DPIIT startup recognition at the time of filing. The certificate has to be uploaded with Form TM-A. A company without either pays ₹9,000.
Is the government fee refundable if my trademark is refused?
No. The fee is for examining the application, not for granting the registration. If the mark is refused or abandoned, the money is not returned, and a fresh filing means paying again.
How much does it cost to renew a trademark in India?
₹9,000 per class for online renewal on Form TM-R (₹10,000 on paper). Note that the concessional rate for individuals and MSMEs applies only at the filing stage — everyone pays the same renewal fee. Renew late and it rises to ₹13,500 within the six-month grace period, and ₹18,000 to restore a mark that has already been removed.
How much does it cost to register a trademark for two classes?
Double the per-class fee. Two classes cost ₹9,000 for an individual, startup or MSME, and ₹18,000 for a company or LLP, in government fees. Professional fees for the second class are often lower, since the search and drafting work overlaps.
Is there any government fee for a trademark search?
No. Searching the IP India public database costs nothing. You only pay if you engage someone to run a thorough search, including phonetic and similar-mark checks, which is where most conflicts are actually found.
How long does trademark registration take in India?
Typically 12 to 24 months if no objection or opposition arises. Expedited examination is available on Form TM-M for ₹20,000 per class (individuals, startups and small enterprises) or ₹40,000 per class for others, which speeds up the examination stage but not the four-month opposition window.
Do I need to pay anything to use the ™ symbol?
No. Once your application is filed you may use ™ immediately at no extra cost. The ® symbol may only be used after the mark is actually registered.