A plain-English guide to the Nice Classification — what each trademark class covers, with real-world examples and how to pick the right one for your business.
India follows the Nice Classification — a globally accepted system that divides goods and services into 45 classes. Picking the wrong class is one of the most common reasons trademark protection becomes meaningless. This guide explains every important class with real examples. Once you know your class, our trademark registration service takes it from search to filing.
Classes 1–34 cover goods (physical products). Classes 35–45 cover services. A trademark is registered class-wise — owning 'Taxpex' in Class 35 (business services) doesn't stop someone from registering 'Taxpex' in Class 25 (clothing).
File in the class your business actually operates in — and adjacent classes if you plan to expand.
| Class | What it covers | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Software, electronics, apps | Mobile apps, SaaS, downloadable software, electronics |
| 16 | Paper, stationery, publications | Magazines, books, packaging, paper products |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear, headgear | T-shirt brands, shoes, caps, fashion D2C |
| 29 | Meat, dairy, processed foods | Cheese, butter, frozen foods, jams |
| 30 | Coffee, tea, packaged food | Snacks, biscuits, spices, instant coffee |
| 32 | Non-alcoholic beverages | Juices, energy drinks, mineral water |
| 35 | Advertising, retail, business services | Marketing agencies, consultancy, e-commerce platforms |
| 36 | Financial services | Fintech, NBFCs, insurance, wealth management |
| 38 | Telecom & broadcasting | Telecom operators, OTT streaming |
| 41 | Education & entertainment | Ed-tech, training, OTT platforms, publishing |
| 42 | IT services & technology | Software development, SaaS, cloud, AI/ML |
| 43 | Restaurants & hospitality | Cafes, hotels, food delivery |
| 44 | Medical & beauty services | Clinics, hospitals, salons, telemedicine |
| 45 | Legal & security services | Law firms, consultancy, security agencies |
Class 35 covers advertising, business management, business administration and office functions — including retail and e-commerce. Most service businesses, consultancies and online marketplaces file here.
Covers education, training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities. Ed-tech, online courses, training institutes, publishing houses and OTT platforms file here.
Covers scientific and technological services, software design and development, cloud, AI/ML and R&D. SaaS companies typically file in 9 + 42 for full coverage.
A single application can cover multiple classes (multi-class application). The government fee multiplies per class. For most startups, filing in the 1–3 most relevant classes is the right balance between coverage and cost.
| Business type | Recommended classes |
|---|---|
| D2C fashion brand | 25, 35 |
| SaaS / tech platform | 9, 42, 35 |
| Ed-tech | 9, 41, 42 |
| Food brand | 30 or 29 or 32, 35 |
| Cloud kitchen / restaurant | 43, 30, 35 |
| Fintech / NBFC | 9, 36, 42 |
| Consultancy firm | 35, 36 or 45 |
| Wellness clinic | 44, 35 |
Each additional class requires a fresh application with its own priority date. You cannot 'add' a class to an existing application after filing.
Only partially. Class 35 protects the 'retail services' brand. The actual product brand may still need protection in the goods class.
Look at the Nice Classification specification, check what category leaders in your space have filed, and consult an IP expert. Taxpex includes class guidance with every filing.
Senior contributor at Taxpex Consultancy. Reviewed by a practising Chartered Accountant. Published on 18 June 2026 · Updated on 18 June 2026.
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