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Trademark registration fees in India are prescribed by the government and depend on three key factors: the mode of filing (online or physical), the applicant category, and the number of classes applied for. When filed through the online e-filing system—which is the standard and widely used method today—the applicable government fee is lower than physical filing and is charged per class of goods or services.
While the filing stage attracts a statutory government fee, no government fee is payable for replying to examination reports or attending hearings. Additional government charges arise only at specific stages such as opposition proceedings or renewal after registration. Understanding this distinction helps applicants estimate the actual cost of trademark registration in India without confusion or hidden surprises.
This guide provides a clear, stage-wise breakdown of all official trademark registration fees in India—from filing to renewal—strictly in accordance with the First Schedule of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, so you know exactly what you pay and when.
How Much Does Trademark Registration Cost in India?
The minimum government fee to file a trademark application in India is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups, and small enterprises, and ₹9,000 per class for companies and other entities when filed online.
These amounts represent the statutory filing fees prescribed by the Trade Marks Registry and are charged per class of goods or services.
The government prescribes different fees based on the mode of filing, with e-filing being cheaper than physical filing. While both modes are legally valid, e-filing is the standard and widely used option due to lower cost, faster processing, and easier tracking.
Minimum Government Filing Cost (Per Class)
| Applicant Category | E-Filing Fee | Physical Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Individual / Startup / Small Enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Company / LLP / Partnership / Others | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
These fees are statutory government charges payable at the time of filing and are non-refundable, irrespective of whether the application is accepted or refused.
It is important to note that this filing fee represents only the initial government cost. Additional government fees arise only if specific events occur, such as opposition proceedings or renewal after registration.
What Does “Per Class” Mean in Trademark Fees?
Trademark registration fees in India are calculated per class of goods or services under the internationally followed Nice Classification system, which divides goods and services into 45 distinct classes. The government filing fee applies separately to each class in which a trademark is registered.
In practical terms, this means that a trademark filed in:
- One class attracts the filing fee once
- Multiple classes attracts the filing fee for each additional class
For example, if a trademark covers both products and services, or multiple categories of goods, the government fee increases in proportion to the number of classes selected.
Choosing the correct classes at the time of filing is therefore a key factor in determining the overall cost of trademark registration. Filing in unnecessary classes can increase costs without offering any additional legal benefit.
For a detailed understanding of how goods and services are classified and how class selection impacts filing strategy, you may refer to our guide on Trademark Classification of Goods and Services.
Stage-Wise Trademark Registration Fees in India
Trademark registration in India involves multiple procedural stages. While the filing stage attracts a mandatory government fee, several subsequent stages do not carry any government charges, which is often misunderstood by applicants.
The breakdown below explains when government fees apply and when they do not, so applicants can plan costs realistically across the lifecycle of a trademark application.
Pre-Filing Stage (Trademark Search & Application Preparation)
There is no government fee for:
- Conducting a trademark search
- Identifying the appropriate class or classes
- Preparing the trademark application
However, applicants often carry out a preliminary clearance exercise to reduce the risk of objections or opposition. A clear understanding of the filing steps at this stage can be found in our guide on the trademark registration process in India.
Filing Stage (Mandatory Government Fee)
The filing stage is the only compulsory fee stage in the trademark registration process. The applicable government fee depends on:
- Applicant category
- Mode of filing (e-filing or physical)
- Number of classes applied for
Once paid, the filing fee is non-refundable, irrespective of whether the application is accepted, objected to, or refused.
Examination & Objection Stage
After filing, the application is examined by the Trademark Registry. If objections are raised, the applicant is required to file a written response and may be called for a hearing.
Government fees at this stage:
- Reply to Examination Report: Nil
- Amendment or clarification (if permitted): Nil
- Show-cause hearing: Nil
No government fee is charged for responding to objections or attending hearings. Any cost incurred at this stage relates only to professional assistance, if engaged.
For a practical understanding of how objections are handled, you may refer to our article on Trademark Examination and Response.
Opposition Stage (If Applicable)
If a third party files an opposition after the trademark is published in the Trademark Journal, the following government fees apply:
| Activity | Government Fee (E-filing) |
|---|---|
| Filing Notice of Opposition | ₹2,700 per class |
| Filing Counter-Statement | ₹2,700 per class |
| Opposition Hearing | Nil |
Opposition proceedings are conditional and do not arise in every case. A detailed procedural overview is available in our guide on Trademark Opposition in India.
Registration & Certificate Issuance
Once the application successfully clears examination and opposition (if any), the trademark proceeds to registration.
Government fee at this stage:
- Registration certificate issuance: Included
(No separate government fee is charged.)
Applicants often monitor this stage closely to track issuance of the registration certificate.
Trademark Renewal Stage
A registered trademark remains valid for 10 years from the filing date and must be renewed to continue protection.
| Activity | Government Fee (E-filing) |
|---|---|
| Trademark Renewal (per class) | ₹9,000 |
| Renewal with surcharge | ₹4,500 + renewal fee |
| Restoration and renewal | ₹9,000 + renewal fee |
A missed renewal deadline can lead to additional costs and risk of removal from the register. For timelines and compliance aspects, see Trademark Renewal & Restoration in India.
Procedural or Incidental Requests (Limited Cases
In certain situations, applicants may need to file procedural requests such as corrections, certified copies, or minor amendments.
| Activity | Government Fee (E-filing) |
|---|---|
| Procedural request / amendment | ₹900 |
These costs are not routine and arise only if such procedural steps become necessary.
Complete Trademark Registration Fee Table (Start to Renewal)
The table below summarises all relevant government fees applicable during the lifecycle of a trademark in India, starting from filing and extending up to renewal. These fees are prescribed under the First Schedule of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 and are payable per class, per trademark, unless stated otherwise.
Trademark Registration Fees in India – Government Charges
| Stage | Activity | Government Fee (E-Filing) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Filing | Trademark search / preparation | Nil | No government fee |
| Filing | Application by Individual / Startup / Small Enterprise | ₹4,500 | Per class |
| Filing | Application by Company / LLP / Others | ₹9,000 | Per class |
| Examination | Reply to Examination Report | Nil | No government fee |
| Examination | Amendment / clarification (if permitted) | Nil | No government fee |
| Hearing | Show-cause hearing | Nil | No government fee |
| Opposition | Filing Notice of Opposition | ₹2,700 | Per class |
| Opposition | Filing Counter-Statement | ₹2,700 | Per class (only if opposed) |
| Opposition | Opposition hearing | Nil | No government fee |
| Registration | Issuance of registration certificate | Included | No separate fee |
| Renewal | Trademark renewal (every 10 years) | ₹9,000 | Per class |
| Renewal | Renewal with surcharge | ₹4,500 + renewal fee | Within prescribed grace period |
| Restoration | Restoration and renewal | ₹9,000 + renewal fee | If mark is removed |
| Procedural | Procedural request / minor amendment | ₹900 | Only if required |
Important Notes
- Government fees are fixed and non-negotiable.
- Filing fees are non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of the application.
- Several stages of the trademark registration process, including examination replies and hearings, do not attract any government fee.
- Renewal fees recur every 10 years per class for the life of the trademark.
This table is intended to give applicants a clear, end-to-end view of official trademark registration costs in India, without including professional or service-related charges.
Next Steps After Understanding Trademark Fees
The government fees explained above outline the statutory cost payable to the Trademark Registry at different stages of trademark registration in India. However, the procedural scope and effort involved can vary based on factors such as the number of classes, objections raised, or opposition proceedings, if any.
To understand how trademark registration is typically handled in practice and what each stage involves beyond government fees, you may review our trademark registration services in India.
This helps applicants align fee expectations with procedural requirements before proceeding further.
Frequently Asked Questions on Trademark Registration Fees
1. Is there any government fee to reply to a trademark examination report?
No. The Trademark Registry does not charge any government fee for replying to examination reports or attending hearings.
2. Is the trademark filing fee refundable if the application is rejected?
No. Government filing fees are non-refundable, irrespective of the outcome of the application.
3. Is the trademark registration fee a one-time payment?
No. While the filing fee is paid once at the time of application, a registered trademark must be renewed every 10 years to remain in force.
4. Are government trademark fees different for online and physical filing?
Yes. Online filing attracts a lower government fee compared to physical filing.