The cost to register a trademark in India typically starts at ₹4,500 per class for eligible applicants. For other applicants, the government filing fee is ₹9,000 per class for online filing. Trademark registration is a legal process through the Indian Trade Marks Registry that grants exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo, or slogan and protects it against infringement. These trademark fees cover application filing, class-wise protection, renewal charges, and other applicable costs.
Government fees to register depend on the applicant’s category. Individuals, startups, and MSMEs pay a discounted trademark government fee rate. Fees also vary depending on whether you file the application online or in person.
Key Takeaways
- Government fees start at ₹4,500 per class for individuals, DPIIT-recognized startups, and Udyam-registered MSMEs filing online. Companies and other entities pay ₹9,000 per class.
- Physical filing costs more than online filing. Individuals pay ₹5,000 instead of ₹4,500, while companies pay ₹10,000 instead of ₹9,000.
- Fees are charged per class and per application. Filing under multiple classes increases the total cost.
- Filing fees are non-refundable, even if your application is objected to or refused.
- The MSME and startup concession applies only when you submit a valid Udyam or DPIIT certificate at the time of filing.
- Government fees are fixed by law and do not depend on who files your application. Professional fees vary based on the provider and scope of service.
- Renewal costs ₹9,000 per class online or ₹10,000 for physical filing. The ₹4,500 concession applies only to the initial application.
- Objection responses, opposition defense, and trademark monitoring are separate costs. You may need to budget for them after filing.
- Professional service fees typically range from ₹1,499 to ₹30,000 or more. The final amount depends on the application and any post-filing support required.
Government Fees for Registering a Trademark
The First Schedule of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, prescribes the government fees for a trademark in India. The fees depend on the applicant category and filing method:
1. For Individual Applicants, Startups, and Small Enterprises:
- ₹4,500 per class (online filing)
- ₹5,000 per class (physical filing)
2. For Other Applicants (Companies, Organizations, etc.):
- ₹9,000 per class (online filing)
- ₹10,000 per class (physical filing)
Note: Filing fees are non-refundable once paid to the Trademark Registry, regardless of whether the application is accepted, objected to, or refused.
It is recommended to file online, as electronic filing offers a ₹500–₹1,000 discount per class compared with physical filing, depending on the applicant category. You can file your trademark application through the IP India portal.
Government Fees vs Professional Fees: What’s the Difference?
The ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 you pay to the Trade Marks Registry is only one part of your total cost. The rest depends on the professional services you choose and any additional work (such as objection responses, opposition handling, or document preparation) your application requires:
| Cost Component | Paid To | Mandatory? | Depends On |
| Government filing fee | Trade Marks Registry | Yes, fixed | Applicant type, number of classes, online vs. physical filing |
| Professional/service fee | Filing agent or law firm | Optional | Scope of service, drafting, objection handling, or ongoing support |
| Renewal fee | Trade Marks Registry | Yes, every 10 years | Standard renewal fee applies without the initial filing concession |
| Objection response fee | Filing agent, if used | Optional | Complexity of the objection and whether legal arguments or evidence are needed |
| Opposition defense fee | Legal counsel, if used | Situational | Whether the mark is opposed and how far the proceedings go |
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Breakdown of Costs Across Different Trademark Classes
India classifies trademarks into 45 distinct classes, each representing a category of goods or services, divided into two groups:
- Classes 1 to 34: Cover goods such as chemicals, machinery, clothing, and pharmaceuticals.
- Classes 35 to 45: Cover services like legal services, marketing, education, and hospitality.
Example: If you sell clothing (Class 25) and also provide marketing services (Class 35), you must file separate applications for both classes. A company pays ₹9,000 per class for online filing, making the total government fee for your business ₹18,000.
How Much Does Registering a Trademark Cost by Applicant Type?
Trademark fees vary based on the applicant category. Individuals, startups, and small enterprises pay lower government fees than companies, LLPs, and other entities. Sole proprietors also qualify for the concessional fee applicable to individuals.
Here’s how the fees break down by applicant type:
| Applicant Type | Online Filing (per class) | Physical Filing (per class) |
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| DPIIT-Recognized Startup | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Udyam-Registered MSME | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Partnership Firm | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| LLP | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Private Limited Company | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Public Limited Company | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Trust / Society / NGO | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Foreign Company or Entity | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Foreign Individual | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
Note: The concessional fee is based on the applicant type, not nationality. Foreign applicants may need to meet additional filing requirements to be eligible.
Additionally, trademark fees for MSME applicants require a valid Udyam Registration Certificate submitted at filing to claim the ₹4,500 rate instead of ₹9,000.
Realistic Example: A Solo Founder’s Trademark Fee Breakdown
Meera runs a small handmade jewellery brand and wants to register her brand name and logo as trademarks. Here’s how her costs could play out:
| Item | Cost |
| Government fee (name, Class 14, individual/MSME rate) | ₹4,500 |
| Government fee (logo, same class) | ₹4,500 |
| Trademark attorney/agent fee (filing both) | ₹6,000 |
| Subtotal before any objection | ₹15,000 |
Three months later, the Registry raises a Section 11 objection on her logo, citing a similar existing mark. To respond, she needs:
| Item | Cost |
| Attorney fee for drafting and filing the objection reply | ₹5,000–₹8,000 |
| Hearing appearance fee, if the Examiner calls one | ₹4,000–₹6,000 |
| Added cost due to the objection | ₹9,000–₹14,000 |
Total for Meera: Roughly ₹24,000–₹29,000, almost double her original estimate, and only because one of her two marks drew an objection. Her name mark, which had no objection, cost just the original ₹10,500.
This is why it is worth budgeting for objection-related costs upfront. The base filing fee is not always the full cost. Missing the 30-day reply deadline after an objection can also lead to abandonment of the application, with no refund.
Additional Costs for Trademark Renewal and Opposition
Once your trademark is registered, it remains valid for 10 years. After that, you must renew it to keep your rights active. If you do not renew it on time, you risk losing the protection and registration of your trademark. Unlike the initial application, renewal fees are a flat rate for all applicants. The individual/startup/MSME concession does not apply to renewals:
- ₹9,000 per class (online filing, Form TM-R)
- ₹10,000 per class (physical filing)
If you miss the renewal deadline, you have 6 months to renew by paying a late fee. If you miss that too, your trademark will be removed from the Register. You will then have to reapply and pay a restoration fee to get it back.
Other Trademark Costs and Renewal Fees
Along with registration and renewal fees, other costs may also come up during your trademark’s lifetime. Here’s what you may need to budget for:
- Objection Response Costs: If the Examiner objects, you don’t have to pay a government fee to respond. Professional help with drafting the response typically costs ₹3,000–₹8,000, depending on the complexity.
- Opposition Defense Costs: A third party can oppose your mark during the 4-month publication window. Defending it involves legal fees for the counter-statement, evidence, and any hearing. These costs can range from ₹15,000–₹50,000 or more, depending on how far the proceedings go.
- Trademark Watch or Monitoring Services: Many businesses pay ₹2,000–₹10,000 a year for professional trademark monitoring services. However, you can save money and check the Trade Marks Journal for free, as it is published weekly and publicly accessible.
- Trademark Rectification Fees: If you need to correct or remove an entry from the Trademark Register, a rectification application may involve a government fee. The fee is ₹2,700 for online filing and ₹3,000 for physical filing, depending on the applicable form and type of rectification.
- Assignment or Licensing Recordal Fees: If you transfer ownership or license your trademark to another party, you must record it with the Registry. This involves a separate government fee in addition to the original registration cost.
How to Avoid Unnecessary Costs While Filing and Maintaining Your Trademark?
A few practical habits can meaningfully reduce what you end up spending over your trademark’s lifetime:
- Search Before You File: A proper trademark search catches conflicts before you pay any government fee, avoiding the cost and delay of a rejected application or a later legal dispute.
- Choose the Correct Class Upfront: Filing under the wrong class means refiling entirely, doubling your government fee for a mistake that a proper class search would have caught. Knowing the trademark class that applies to your products or services can help you avoid this mistake.
- File Online, Not Physically: Online filing saves ₹500–₹1,000 per class compared to physical filing. It is also faster and more convenient than physical filing.
- Submit Your MSME or Startup Certificate Correctly: Missing or invalid documentation at filing means you pay the full ₹9,000 rate instead of the concessional ₹4,500, an entirely avoidable cost.
- Avoid Filing Unused Classes: Each class carries its own government fee. Only file under classes that genuinely reflect your current or clearly planned business activity. Avoid filing under categories you might theoretically enter someday.
- Respond to Objections Promptly: Missing the 30-day objection response window results in abandonment, meaning you’d need to file and pay all over again.
Register it right the first time
A wrong class or a missed deadline means paying the full fee again. Get your application filed by an IP attorney.
