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

Most founders register their business and start marketing under a brand name without ever filing a trademark — until a competitor with deeper pockets uses a similar name, or worse, someone else trademarks the name first and sends a legal notice. Trademark registration is genuinely inexpensive relative to the risk it protects against, which makes skipping it one of the more avoidable mistakes a growing business makes.

What It Actually Costs

Applicant Type	Government Fee (Online, Per Class)	Renewal (Every 10 Years)
Individuals, Startups, MSMEs	₹4,500	₹9,000 per class
Companies and LLPs	₹9,000	₹9,000 per class

The fee is charged per class, not per application — filing in three classes for a company costs ₹27,000 in government fees alone. On top of this, professional service fees for filing assistance typically range from ₹1,499 to ₹30,000 depending on complexity.

The Actual Process

1. Clearance search — check the public IP India database to confirm no conflicting mark already exists
2. File Form TM-A — submitted through the official IP India e-filing portal, selecting the correct classes for your goods or services
3. Examination — the Registry reviews the application and may raise objections
4. Reply to objections — if raised, a written response is required; this doesn't carry an additional government fee
5. Show cause hearing — if objections aren't resolved through the written reply alone
6. Publication — the mark is published in the Trademark Journal for public opposition
7. Opposition period — third parties can formally oppose during this window
8. Registration certificate — issued once uncontested or opposition is successfully countered

Common Mistakes That Cost More Than the Fee Itself

• Filing in the wrong class — an incorrectly filed application forfeits the government fee entirely, with no refund
• Skipping the clearance search — filing without checking for existing conflicts significantly raises the odds of an objection or opposition
• Treating "proposed to be used" carelessly — this status affects what evidence you'll need to provide later, and getting it wrong can complicate the application

Why This Matters More Than Founders Initially Think

A brand name is often a business's single most valuable asset once marketing spend starts building recognition around it. Trademark registration is the legal mechanism that actually protects that investment — and at ₹4,500 per class for most small businesses, it's a genuinely small price relative to what rebuilding a brand from scratch would cost after a naming conflict.

This is exactly the kind of foundational step we help founders sequence correctly — see our guide on starting an e-commerce business for how trademark timing fits into a broader launch sequence.