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How much does trademark registration actually cost and how long does it take in India?

Government fee is Rs 4,500 per class for individuals/startups/MSMEs (DPIIT-recognised startups filing via the startup scheme even get professional fees waived) versus Rs 9,000 per class for other companies/LLPs, plus whatever your agent charges on top. End-to-end registration realistically takes 6-18+ months from filing to certificate (examination in 30-45 days, then a 4-month public opposition window, then approval), so budget patience, not just money, but you get usable ™ rights and priority the day you file, long before the certificate arrives.

Go deeper

3 resources, 3 India-specific, 2 link-checked.

📄 Article
✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

The most complete single reference on fees, timeline and the ™ vs ® distinction, good as the one page to bookmark and return to at each stage of the process.

Trademark Registration in India: Complete Guide (2026)

From Intepat

  • Government fee is Rs 4,500/class (individuals/startups) vs Rs 9,000/class (companies)
  • Realistic end-to-end timeline is 6-18+ months to certificate
  • ™ is usable immediately on filing; ® only after registration completes
Open intepat.com
📄 Article
✓ Link checked India Free Beginner

The clearest plain-language breakdown of the 45-class system we found, with D2C-relevant examples (Class 3 cosmetics, Class 25 apparel, Class 35 retail) instead of a dry legal list.

45 Trademark Classes in India: Choose the Right One

From IncorpX

  • Class 35 (retail/e-commerce services) is worth adding alongside your product class
  • Each class is filed and paid for separately
  • Choosing the wrong class leaves your actual category unprotected
Open incorpx.io

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