Trademark Registration · Chapter 4
How to file a Trademark application (Form TM-A): documents and fees
In short
File Form TM-A on the IP India portal. The official fee is ₹4,500 per class online for individuals, startups and small enterprises, and ₹9,000 per class online for all other applicants.
You apply for a trademark in India by filing Form TM-A with the Trade Marks Registry, usually online on the IP India e-filing portal. The official government fee is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online (₹5,000 on paper), and ₹9,000 per class for everyone else filing online (₹10,000 on paper). You get an application number immediately; the ® symbol can be used only after Registration.
This chapter covers who fills Form TM-A, the documents you need, the official fees and the filing steps.
What is Form TM-A?
Form TM-A is the single application form for registering a trademark under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. The same form is used for every kind of mark (word, logo, shape, sound, series, collective or certification) and for one class or many classes. Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 allows one application to cover several classes, with the fee charged for each class.
Who can file, and do I need an agent?
The applicant — the person or entity that will own the mark — can file directly. Alternatively, a registered trademark agent or an advocate can file on the applicant's behalf, in which case a signed authorisation (power of attorney) is needed. An applicant whose principal place of business is outside India must give an address for service in India, which in practice usually means appointing an agent or advocate.
What details and documents are needed?
| Item | What to provide |
|---|---|
| Applicant details | Full legal name, address, nationality, and legal status (individual, proprietor, partnership firm, LLP, company, trust, etc.). A partnership firm lists all partners. |
| The mark | For a word mark, the word typed in plain text. For a logo, a clear image (JPG) of the logo exactly as it will be used. For a sound mark, an MP3 file of up to 30 seconds with a graphical representation (Rule 26). |
| Class and description | The class number(s) and a clear list of goods or services under each class (see Trademark classes and how to search before you file). |
| Date of first use | Either "proposed to be used", or the date from which you have actually used the mark in India. |
| User affidavit (if claiming past use) | A sworn statement with supporting evidence — such as invoices, advertisements or packaging showing the mark and dates — if you claim use before the filing date. |
| Small enterprise or startup proof (for the lower fee) | Udyam Registration certificate (for a micro or small enterprise) or DPIIT startup recognition certificate. |
| Authorisation | Signed authorisation, if an agent or advocate files for you. |
| Translation / transliteration | If the mark contains non-English words or a non-Latin script, its meaning and transliteration. |
What is the official trademark fee in India?
These are the government fees in the First Schedule of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, as shown on the IP India forms and official fees page. They were current in September 2026.
| Applicant | E-filing (per class) | Physical filing (per class) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, startup or small enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| All others (e.g. companies, LLPs and firms that are not startups or small enterprises) | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
A few points to note:
- "Startup" means an entity recognised by DPIIT under the Startup India scheme. "Small enterprise" means a micro or small enterprise under the MSMED Act, 2006, which is proven with Udyam Registration. A company or LLP without either pays the higher fee.
- Per class: filing in three classes as an individual online costs ₹13,500 in official fees.
- Expedited processing (under Rule 34, with examination ordinarily done within three months of the request) is optional and online only, for an additional official fee of ₹20,000 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises, and ₹40,000 per class for others.
- Professional charges of an agent or advocate, if you use one, are separate from these government fees.
How to file a trademark application online: step by step
- Search first. Complete the public search described in Trademark classes and how to search before you file.
- Log in to the e-filing portal. Create a user account on the IP India trademark e-filing portal. Forms are signed electronically; the portal's e-filing user manual lists the signing options it currently accepts, such as a digital signature certificate (DSC).
- Select Form TM-A and choose the type of mark and applicant category.
- Fill in applicant, mark, class and goods/services details, and the date of use or "proposed to be used".
- Upload attachments: logo image, user affidavit (if any), startup or small enterprise proof (if claiming the lower fee) and authorisation (if filed through an agent).
- Pay the fee online. Payment is made through the government payment gateway on the portal.
- Download the acknowledgement. It shows your application number and filing date. Keep it safe — you will use it to track the status.
Physical filing at the Trade Marks Registry office with jurisdiction over your principal place of business is still allowed, but costs more and is slower.
What happens right after filing?
Your application gets a number and appears on the Registry's records within a short time. From this point:
- You may use the ™ symbol with your mark to show that you claim it as your trademark.
- You may not use ® until the Registration certificate is issued.
- Your filing date matters: if the mark is registered, the 10-year validity is counted from this date, and it gives you priority over anyone who files a similar mark later.
- The application goes into the queue for examination (see Examination, objection, opposition: what happens after you file). Track it using your application number on the IP India portal.
Common filing mistakes to avoid
- Filing in a founder's personal name when the business is run by a company, and never assigning it later.
- Choosing the wrong class, or only one class when the business clearly needs two.
- Claiming a past date of use without evidence to back it up.
- Filing a logo that is different from what is actually printed on products.
- Claiming the lower fee without a valid Udyam or DPIIT certificate.
Key takeaways
- File Form TM-A online on the IP India portal; one form can cover many classes, with fees per class.
- Official fees: ₹4,500 (online) or ₹5,000 (paper) per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises; ₹9,000 or ₹10,000 per class for others.
- Keep ready the logo, class list, date of use (with evidence if claimed) and Udyam or DPIIT proof for the lower fee.
- After filing you may use ™, but ® only after Registration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the government fee for trademark Registration in India?
The official fee for Form TM-A is ₹4,500 per class by e-filing (₹5,000 physical) for individuals, DPIIT-recognised startups and small enterprises, and ₹9,000 per class by e-filing (₹10,000 physical) for all others, as per the First Schedule of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. Fees are charged for each class applied for. Any professional charges are separate.
Who qualifies for the lower trademark fee as a startup or small enterprise?
The lower fee applies to individuals, entities recognised as startups by DPIIT under the Startup India scheme, and micro or small enterprises under the MSMED Act, 2006. A startup shows its DPIIT recognition certificate and a small enterprise shows its Udyam Registration certificate. A company or LLP without either proof pays the higher fee.
What documents are needed to file a trademark application?
You need the applicant's name, address and legal status, the mark (plain text for a word mark or a clear image for a logo), the class and list of goods or services, and the date of first use or a "proposed to be used" statement. Add a user affidavit with evidence if claiming past use, Udyam or DPIIT proof for the lower fee, and an authorisation if an agent files.
Can I file a trademark application myself without an agent?
Yes. The applicant can file Form TM-A directly on the IP India e-filing portal after creating a user account and signing electronically. A registered trademark agent or advocate may file instead, with a signed authorisation. Applicants whose principal place of business is outside India must provide an address for service in India.
What is expedited processing of a trademark application?
Expedited processing under Rule 34 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 lets an applicant ask for faster handling of a trademark application, with examination ordinarily done within three months of the request. It is available only by e-filing, with an official fee of ₹20,000 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises, and ₹40,000 per class for others. Objections or oppositions can still add time.
