Trademark Fees in India: Complete Registration Cost Breakdown (2026)
When planning to protect your brand name, the very first question that comes to a founder's mind is: "How much is this going to cost?" Unfortunately, the internet is filled with confusing pricing structures, hidden agency fees, and outdated government figures regarding trademark fees in India.
To budget for your intellectual property properly, you need to understand the exact breakdown between the mandatory government challan fees and the professional legal fees. In this comprehensive guide, we will decode the exact Trademark Registration Cost India so you don't overpay a single rupee.
Quick Fee Summary (Govt. E-Filing Fees)
- For Individuals & Sole Proprietors: ₹4,500 per class.
- For MSMEs & Recognized Startups: ₹4,500 per class (50% Discount applied).
- For Pvt Ltd, LLPs, & Partnerships (No MSME): ₹9,000 per class.
- Professional Legal Fee: Charged separately by IP Attorneys for drafting and filing.
1. The Legal Basis: Who Decides the Fees?
The fees you pay for filing a trademark are not arbitrary; they are strictly governed by the central law. Let's look at the exact section from the Bare Act that mandates these costs.
2. Government Fees for New Application (Form TM-A)
The primary form used to apply for a new trademark is Form TM-A. The Indian Government encourages small businesses by offering a massive 50% discount on filing fees. Here is the exact fee structure based on the First Schedule of Trade Mark Rules, 2017 (for e-filing):
Individuals & Proprietors
Per Class / Per Application
Standard discounted fee applied automatically for natural persons.
MSMEs & Startups
Per Class / Per Application
Must provide valid Udyam or DPIIT Certificate to claim this 50% discount.
Corporate Entities
Per Class / Per Application
For Pvt Ltd, LLPs, and Partnerships without an MSME certificate.
Trademark fees are calculated Per Class. The government categorizes all products/services into 45 Trademark Classes India. If your business sells T-shirts (Class 25) and also runs a Coffee Shop (Class 43), you must file two separate classes. Your fee as an individual will be: ₹4,500 + ₹4,500 = ₹9,000.
3. How to Claim the 50% Startup / MSME Discount?
If you run a Private Limited company or an LLP, the default government fee is ₹9,000. However, you can instantly cut this cost in half (to ₹4,500) if you possess either:
- An Udyam Registration Certificate: Issued to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- A DPIIT Recognition Certificate: Issued under the Startup India scheme. Read our full guide on Trademark Registration for Startups for details.
Your IP Attorney will attach these certificates to Form TM-A during the online filing process to automatically apply the discount.
4. Post-Filing Trademark Fees in India
Applying for the trademark is just step one. Sometimes, during the process, the government raises objections, or you might need to make changes. These actions require separate forms and additional government fees.
| Action Required | Form Name | Govt Fee (Online E-Filing) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing an Objection Reply | MISC | ₹0 (No govt fee, only Attorney fee applies) |
| Filing a Notice of Opposition | TM-O | ₹2,700 (To oppose someone else's brand) |
| Trademark Renewal (Every 10 years) | TM-R | ₹9,000 (Applies to all entity types) |
| Trademark Renewal with Surcharge (Late) | TM-R + Surcharge | ₹9,000 + ₹4,500 |
| Correction of clerical error | TM-M | ₹900 |
The Trademark Renewal Process is critical. If you miss the 10-year deadline and the grace period, your trademark will be removed from the registry, and someone else can legally register it.
5. Professional Fees: Why You Shouldn't Apply Yourself
Many founders try to save a few thousand rupees by filing Form TM-A themselves. While the government portal allows DIY filing, it is highly discouraged.
Professional fees charged by IP Attorneys (like DisyTax) cover:
- Deep phonetic trademark searches (to prevent immediate rejection).
- Selecting the absolute correct Class (wrong class = invalid trademark).
- Drafting precise legal descriptions of goods/services.
- Preparing User Affidavits for claiming prior use.
- Drafting and filing a strong Trademark Objection Reply if the examiner raises issues under Section 9 or 11.
A rejected DIY application means you lose your ₹4,500 government fee completely. Paying a professional ensures your application has the highest success rate possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The official online e-filing government fee is ₹4,500 per class for Individuals, Sole Proprietors, MSMEs, and Startups. For other corporate entities without MSME registration, the fee is ₹9,000 per class.
The initial filing fee covers your registration for 10 years. After 10 years, you must pay a renewal fee (₹9,000) to keep the trademark active and legally yours.
Yes. If you choose to file physically via paper forms (which is rarely done now), the government fee increases by 10%. For example, ₹4,500 becomes ₹5,000, and ₹9,000 becomes ₹10,000. Always opt for e-filing.
Yes. The government fee is non-refundable. If your trademark is rejected due to similarity with an existing mark or improper filing, the registry keeps the fee. You will have to pay the full fee again to file a new application.
No. Once your application is filed and you pay the initial Form TM-A fee (₹4,500/₹9,000), you can immediately start using the ™ symbol without any additional charges.
Final Conclusion: See Fees as an Investment, Not a Cost
When you analyze the trademark fees in India, remember that ₹4,500 spread over 10 years is just ₹450 per year. For less than the cost of a business dinner, you secure the exclusive legal monopoly over your brand name across the entire nation.
Don't let minor costs stop you from securing a major asset. Protect your brand identity with absolute transparency and expert legal guidance.
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