The Government Fee — Fixed, No Negotiation
The Trade Marks Rules, 2017 fix the statutory filing fee under the First Schedule. It depends only on who is applying and how the application is filed — not on the mark itself, the class, or the applicant's business turnover.
| Applicant Type | Online Filing (per class) | Physical Filing (per class) |
|---|---|---|
| Individual / DPIIT-recognised startup / Udyam-registered MSME | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Company, LLP, partnership, or other entity | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
The discount for individuals, startups and MSMEs applies only if you hold a valid Udyam registration or DPIIT startup recognition at the time of filing — simply being a small business isn't enough on its own; the certificate needs to be on file.
⚠️ This Fee Is Per Class, and It Is Never Refunded
If you file in three classes, you pay the government fee three times. And if the application is later refused — because of a conflicting mark or a descriptiveness objection you couldn't overcome — the government fee is gone regardless. This is exactly why a proper search before filing matters more than the search itself costs.
Professional Fees — The Part That Actually Varies
Government fee is identical whether you file yourself or through an attorney. What you pay on top of it for professional help typically ranges from about ₹1,500 to ₹5,000 for a straightforward single-class filing with a clean search, rising to ₹15,000–₹30,000 for complex, multi-class, or brand-strategy-heavy filings. GST at 18% applies on the professional fee component, not on the government fee.
What you're paying for isn't the form-filling — it's the judgment calls: whether the mark is likely to face a Section 9 (descriptiveness) or Section 11 (similarity) objection, which classes actually cover your business, and how the specification of goods/services is worded so it doesn't get objected to on vagueness.
The Full Ten-Year Cost, Not Just the Filing Fee
Most cost guides stop at the filing fee. The honest picture includes everything a mark is likely to cost over its first renewal cycle.
| Stage | Government Fee | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Initial filing (Form TM-A) | ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 / class | Always, at filing |
| Objection reply | ₹0 (govt) + professional fee | Only if the examiner raises an objection |
| Opposition defence | Variable, often professional-fee-heavy | Only if a third party opposes during publication |
| Renewal (Form TM-R) | ₹9,000 / class online, ₹10,000 physical | Every 10 years, on time |
| Late renewal surcharge | +₹4,500 / class (online) | If filed within the 6-month grace period |
Notice the MSME/startup discount applies only to the initial filing fee — renewal is charged at the standard rate for everyone, with no concession, regardless of applicant category.
What Actually Inflates the Budget
Four things push the real cost well past the headline government fee:
- Filing in the wrong class. The government fee is non-refundable, so a wrong-class filing usually means paying the full fee again for a fresh, correct application.
- Skipping the pre-filing search. An objection or opposition adds professional fees for the reply, and can add months of delay on top.
- Filing in too few classes. An e-commerce brand that files only its product class and skips Class 35 (retail/business services) often has to file a second application later — a second full government fee — to close the gap.
- Missing the renewal window entirely. Beyond the 6-month grace period, restoring a removed mark costs meaningfully more than an on-time renewal would have, on top of the renewal fee itself.
Want an Exact Quote, Not a Range?
Tell us your business type and how many classes you likely need. We'll give you a fixed, all-in number — government fee plus our charge — before you commit to anything.
Multi-Class Filing: One Application, Fee Per Class
India allows a single Form TM-A to cover multiple classes in one filing, but the government fee is charged separately for each class — there's no bundled discount for filing several classes together. A business filing in three classes as an MSME pays ₹13,500 in government fees regardless of whether it's one combined application or three separate ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ₹4,500 government fee refundable if my trademark is refused?
No. The government fee is non-refundable once paid, regardless of the outcome — whether the application is refused, abandoned, or withdrawn. This is exactly why a search before filing is worth the few minutes it takes.
Do startups get a discount on trademark registration?
Yes, but only with valid proof — a DPIIT startup recognition certificate or a Udyam MSME registration on file at the time of filing. Without that documentation, the standard ₹9,000 per class rate applies even to a small business.
Does the startup discount apply to renewal too?
No. Renewal is charged at the standard ₹9,000 per class (online) for every applicant category — the MSME/startup concession applies only to the original filing fee, not to renewals.
How much do professional/attorney fees typically add?
For a straightforward single-class filing, professional fees typically range from ₹1,500 to ₹5,000, plus 18% GST. Complex, multi-class, or brand-strategy-heavy filings can run ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 or more.
Is filing in multiple classes cheaper if done together?
No. Multi-class filing saves paperwork by covering several classes in one Form TM-A, but the government fee is still charged separately per class — there's no bundled discount for combining them.
What does an objection reply cost?
There's no separate government fee for replying to an examination report, but you'll typically pay a professional fee if you engage help to draft the reply and gather supporting evidence. Cost varies by complexity.