Everything an Indian founder needs to register a brand name, logo or tagline in 2026 — eligibility, process, costs, classes, timelines and post-registration management.
A registered trademark can help protect the identity customers associate with your goods or services. The scope of protection depends on the mark, the registered specification and applicable law; registration is not an unrestricted monopoly over a word. This guide covers filing, examination, costs and post-registration management. For help preparing an application, explore our trademark registration service.
A trademark is any sign — word, logo, tagline, shape, sound or colour — that distinguishes the goods or services of one business from another. Once registered, you get exclusive pan-India rights to use that mark in your registered class for 10 years, renewable forever.
Any person can apply — individuals, sole proprietors, partnership firms, LLPs, companies, trusts and societies. The applicant becomes the legal owner of the trademark.
Owning the trademark at the entity level (rather than personally) is usually the right strategy if you intend to raise funding or sell the business.
There is no guaranteed end-to-end completion date. Examination workload, objections, hearings, opposition proceedings and Registry processing can affect timing. An acknowledgement or application number does not mean the mark is registered. Separate procedural deadlines in official communications from any estimate of overall processing time.
| Stage | What to track |
|---|---|
| Application filing | Acknowledgement, application number and payment confirmation |
| Examination | Current status and any examination report issued by the Registry |
| Reply or hearing | Response requirement, submission acknowledgement and hearing communications |
| Journal advertisement | Journal entry, advertisement date and applicable opposition period |
| Opposition, if filed | Notice, service details and the applicable response procedure |
| Registration | Registration entry and certificate; do not substitute a filing receipt |
An examination objection is raised by the Registry while examining an application. An opposition is a separate challenge brought by another person after advertisement. They are not interchangeable, and a reply to an examination report does not answer an opposition notice. Start by identifying the document you received and its procedural stage.
| Issue | What to review | Useful preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Distinctiveness or descriptiveness objection | The specific grounds raised and the goods or services concerned | Explain the mark in context; organise genuine use evidence if relevant to your response |
| Earlier-mark objection | Cited marks, their status, owners and registered specifications | Compare the actual marks and specifications rather than only their class numbers |
| Opposition notice | The notice, service details and grounds of challenge | Seek case-specific advice on the counter-statement and evidence procedure |
Do not assume that a generic reply guarantees acceptance or that a portal status replaces the examination report. If a response date may have been missed, obtain prompt case-specific advice; the next step depends on the record and applicable procedure.
For class selection, use the Trademark Class directory and our classes guide with examples. For a deeper pre-filing check, read how to check trademark availability.
| Applicant type | Fee per class (e-filing) |
|---|---|
| Individual / Sole Proprietor | ₹4,500 |
| Startup (DPIIT-recognised) | ₹4,500 |
| Qualifying Small Enterprise (verify the applicable definition and evidence) | ₹4,500 |
| Other applicants not eligible for the concession | ₹9,000 |
Reduced-fee eligibility is not determined solely by whether you are a company, LLP or hold an MSME certificate. Check the applicable applicant category and supporting evidence against the current official fee schedule before paying. Government filing fees and professional charges are separate.
Check the IP India official forms and fee schedule before filing. For separate cost heads and service scope, read our trademark fee breakdown.
Use IP India for official application services and communications. The Trade Marks Act, 1999 and Trade Marks Rules, 2017 govern registration and procedural requirements. Read the current text and the communication issued in your own application before relying on a deadline. This guide does not promise approval or replace case-specific legal advice.
Yes — ™ can be used from the day you file the application. Only ® requires a granted certificate.
No. Indian registration is valid only in India. For other countries, file separately or use the Madrid Protocol via WIPO.
Yes — a registered trademark can be assigned, licensed or franchised. Record the transaction on Form TM-P.
Senior contributor at Taxpex Consultancy. Reviewed by a practising Chartered Accountant. Published on 20 June 2026 · Updated on 20 June 2026.
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Currently 7.1% p.a., set quarterly by the Government of India.
via PPF CalculatorYes if you complete 5 years of continuous service. Earlier withdrawal is taxable and may attract TDS.
via EPF Calculator10–15× annual income is a rough guide, but the Human Life Value method (used here) is far more accurate.
via Life Insurance CalculatorTypically 3–7 working days post-document submission. Aadhaar e-KYC authenticated applications are usually faster (3–4 days).
via GST Registration & Filing