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Country guide · Updated October 2026

Trademark registration in India

Who registers trademarks in India, what it costs, how long it takes and what foreign owners need — with links to the official sources and IP firms that can file for you.

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Quick answer

Trademarks in India are registered with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM); the official application fee is INR 4,500 per class, and third parties can oppose within 4 months from the date of publication in the Trade Marks Journal. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. India can be designated through the Madrid System.

Checked against official sources on 11 October 2026 · see sources

Office
CGPDTM
Official fee
INR 4,500 / class
Madrid Protocol
Member since 2013
Opposition
4 months from the date of publication in the Tr…
Protection
10 years from filing date
Multi-class filing
Allowed

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Official fees in India

Official feeAmount
Application (TM-A), per class – individual, startup or small enterprise, e-filing
5,000 if filed on paper		INR 4,500
Application (TM-A), per class – all other applicants, e-filing
10,000 if filed on paper		INR 9,000
Expedited examination (TM-M), per class – individual, startup or small enterprise
E-filing only		INR 20,000
Expedited examination (TM-M), per class – all other applicants
E-filing only		INR 40,000
Notice of opposition (TM-O), per class, e-filing
3,000 on paper		INR 2,700
Renewal (TM-R), per class, e-filing
10,000 on paper		INR 9,000
Renewal surcharge within 6 months after expiry, per class, e-filing
Payable in addition to the renewal fee; 5,000 on paper		INR 4,500
Restoration plus surcharge, per class, e-filing
Payable in addition to the renewal fee; 10,000 on paper		INR 9,000

Official office fees only (schedule as of 2026-10). Official fee schedule. Professional fees of a local firm are extra — compare fixed-fee packages.

How to register a trademark in India

  1. Search the Trade Marks Registry public search database for earlier identical or similar marks.
  2. File Form TM-A online (cheaper than paper) with the mark, Nice classes, goods/services and a statement of use date or 'proposed to be used'.
  3. The Registry examines the application and issues an examination report; the applicant responds or attends a hearing if objections are raised.
  4. Once accepted, the mark is advertised in the Trade Marks Journal.
  5. Any person may oppose in Form TM-O within four months of the Journal publication.
  6. If there is no opposition, or it is decided in the applicant's favour, the mark is registered and a registration certificate is issued.

Examination, publication and opposition

  • Examination: The Trade Marks Registry examines for absolute and relative grounds. Under the expedited procedure (Rule 34), applications are ordinarily examined within three months of the request; no standard examination timeframe is officially stated.
  • Publication: Trade Marks Journal (published online by the Registry)
  • Opposition period: 4 months from the date of publication in the Trade Marks Journal (Rule 42)

Protection, renewal and use

  • Term: 10 years from the filing date, renewable.
  • Late renewal: Renewal may be filed up to 1 year before expiry; within 6 months after expiry with surcharge; restoration possible within 1 year from expiry
  • Use requirement: a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.
  • Rights system: mixed.

Filing from abroad

  • Local agent: Applicants must give a postal address for service in India and an email address (Rule 17); foreign applicants in practice act through a registered Indian trade mark agent or advocate.
  • Power of attorney: Agent authorisation is filed under Rule 19 (Form TM-M); notarisation or legalisation is not generally required in practice.
  • Language: English or Hindi; documents in other languages need an attested translation into English or Hindi (international applications must be in English)

Firms on TrademarksHub that cover India can act as your local agent — see firms.

Madrid Protocol

India is a member of the Madrid System (in force since 2013). You can designate it in an international application filed through your home office, or file a national application directly. A local firm can advise which route is cheaper for your classes and timeline.

Trademark classes

Nice Classification (45 classes). One application can cover several classes. Not sure which classes you need? See all 45 classes or classes by business type.

How India compares

Guides: registering in any country · costs by country · Madrid

Good to know in India

  • India applies a mixed system: registration is not required for protection, and prior users of an unregistered mark can bring passing-off actions, but filing secures statutory rights from the application date.
  • Individuals, startups and small enterprises pay half the standard official fee.
  • Expedited examination is available online for a fee of INR 20,000 or 40,000 per class depending on applicant type.
  • Owners can apply to have a mark included in the Registry's list of well-known trade marks (official fee INR 1,00,000).
  • The application must state whether the mark is already in use (with a date of first use, supported by an affidavit) or proposed to be used.

Questions

How much does it cost to register a trademark in India?
The official e-filing fee is INR 4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises, and INR 9,000 per class for all other applicants (paper filing costs INR 5,000 or 10,000).
Is India part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol entered into force for India on 8 July 2013, so India can be designated in an international registration.
How long is the trademark opposition period in India?
A notice of opposition must be filed within four months from the date the mark is published in the Trade Marks Journal.
How long is an Indian trademark valid?
A registration lasts 10 years from the application date and can be renewed indefinitely for 10-year periods; late renewal with surcharge is possible within 6 months after expiry, and restoration within 1 year.
Can trademark examination be expedited in India?
Yes. An expedited examination request can be filed online, after which the application is ordinarily examined within three months; the fee is INR 20,000 or 40,000 per class depending on the applicant.
Can a foreign company file a trademark in India?
Yes, but it must provide an address for service in India, so foreign owners usually file through an Indian trade mark agent or advocate.