Trademark Registration in India: Process, Cost, Classes & Timeline (2026)

Your brand name and logo are often the most valuable assets your business owns — and a trademark is the only way to legally own them. A registered trademark stops copycats, lets you use the ® symbol, gives you the exclusive right to your brand across India, and becomes an asset you can license or sell. The process is fully online, surprisingly affordable, and — best of all — you can start using the ™ symbol the very moment you file. This complete 2026 guide covers what you can register, how classes work, the documents, the full TM-A process, real costs, the ™ vs ® difference, and the timeline.

What can you trademark?

A trademark protects anything that distinguishes your goods or services from others. You can register a:

• Brand name (word mark) — e.g. your company or product name.
• Logo (device mark) — your visual symbol.
• Tagline / slogan.
• Combination of name + logo.
• Even a sound, shape or colour combination in special cases.

Why register a trademark?

• Exclusive rights to your brand name, logo or tagline across all of India.
• Legal protection — you can take infringers to court and claim damages and an injunction.
• Brand value — a registered trademark is an intangible asset you can license, franchise or sell.
• Trust and credibility — the ® symbol signals legitimacy to customers, marketplaces and investors.
• Marketplace protection — Amazon Brand Registry and similar programmes require a registered trademark.

Understand trademark classes

Trademarks are filed under one or more of 45 classes — Classes 1–34 cover goods and Classes 35–45 cover services. You register only in the classes relevant to your business. Common examples:

• Class 9 — software, electronics, mobile apps.
• Class 25 — clothing, footwear, apparel.
• Class 35 — advertising, retail, business services.
• Class 41 — education, training, entertainment.
• Class 43 — restaurants, cafes, hospitality.

Choosing the right class is critical — the wrong class leaves gaps a competitor can exploit. Many businesses file in multiple classes to fully protect a brand that spans products and services.

Documents required

1. Brand name and/or logo in the exact form you'll use it (high-resolution logo file).
2. Applicant details — PAN and address proof.
3. Incorporation certificate or Udyam (MSME) certificate to claim the reduced startup/small-entity fee.
4. Signed Form TM-48 (power of attorney) if filing through an attorney or agent.

The registration process, step by step

1. Trademark search: Check the IP India database first to make sure your mark isn't already registered or confusingly similar to an existing one. This is the single biggest cause of rejection — never skip it.
2. File Form TM-A: Submit the application online with your chosen class(es). From this moment you can legally use the ™ symbol.
3. Examination: A trademark examiner reviews your mark and issues an examination report. If they raise an objection (often under Sections 9 or 11), you file a written reply with arguments and evidence — and may attend a hearing.
4. Publication in the Trademark Journal: Once accepted, your mark is published for 4 months, during which any third party can file an opposition.
5. Registration: If there's no opposition (or you win it), the registry issues your registration certificate — and now you can use the ® symbol.

Cost and timeline

The government fee is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and MSMEs, and ₹9,000 per class for other applicants (companies without MSME status). Professional fees are added on top. Timelines:

• ™ protection: immediate, from your filing date.
• ® registration: typically 6–18 months, depending on objections and oppositions.

Even though full registration takes months, your priority date — and your right to the mark — is locked in the day you file. See Taxwapsi's trademark plans.

™ vs ® — what's the difference?

™ can be used the moment you file an application — it signals that you're claiming the mark. ® can only be used after registration is granted, and using ® before that is illegal and can attract penalties. So: file → use ™ → registration granted → switch to ®.

Renewal & protection

A registered trademark is valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely in 10-year blocks. To keep your rights strong, actually use the mark in commerce and watch for infringers — a registered mark that's never used can be cancelled for non-use.

Frequently asked questions

Can I trademark a logo and name together? Yes, but filing them separately (one word mark + one device mark) gives stronger, more flexible protection.

How long is a trademark valid? 10 years, renewable indefinitely.

Do I need a registered company first? No — individuals and sole proprietors can register trademarks too.

What if someone opposes my trademark? You file a counter-statement and evidence; the registry decides after a hearing. Most oppositions are resolved in the applicant's favour with a strong reply.

Is one class enough? Only if your business operates in a single category. Brands spanning products and services usually file in multiple classes.

Conclusion

Registering a trademark early is one of the cheapest, highest-leverage moves a founder can make — it locks down your brand before a competitor does, unlocks marketplace and franchise opportunities, and turns your name into a sellable asset. The key is a thorough search and the right class selection up front.

Worried your name might already be taken? Get a free trademark search from Taxwapsi, and our experts will file in the correct classes and handle any objection — so you get it right the first time.