The 10-Year Clock Starts at Filing, Not at the Certificate
This is the single most misunderstood part of renewal. Registration in India commonly takes well over a year from filing to certificate, sometimes several years if there's an objection or opposition along the way. But the 10-year validity period runs from the date of filing, not from whenever the certificate is finally issued.
So a mark filed in July 2016 that only received its certificate in 2019 is still due for renewal in July 2026 — not 2029. Check the "Date of Expiry" field on your application record on the IP India portal directly; don't calculate it from your certificate date.
The Renewal Timeline
Form TM-R can be filed any time in the year before expiry, at the standard fee with no surcharge. Filing early does not shorten your protection — the renewed 10 years still runs from the original expiry date, not from your payment date.
Deadline: within 6 months of the expiry date. Under Section 25(3), the mark can still be renewed with a surcharge on top of the standard fee. Protection is technically at risk during this window, so treat it as urgent, not optional.
Past 6 months, the mark is liable to be removed from the register. Restoration is still possible for a further period after removal, but it is a separate, costlier process than a simple renewal — and it is not guaranteed.
⚠️ Don't Rely on the Registry's Reminder Notice
The Registry does send a notice before removal, but it goes to whatever address is on record as the "address for service" — if that's outdated, or the notice is delayed, you may not see it in time. Keep your own renewal calendar; don't treat the official notice as your primary deadline tracker.
Renewal Fees
| Situation | Government Fee (per class) |
|---|---|
| On-time renewal, e-filing | ₹9,000 |
| On-time renewal, physical filing | ₹10,000 |
| Late renewal within grace period, e-filing | ₹9,000 + ₹4,500 surcharge |
| Late renewal within grace period, physical | ₹10,000 + ₹5,000 surcharge |
Note that the MSME/startup discount that applies to the original filing fee does not carry over to renewal — every applicant pays the standard renewal rate, regardless of category. If a mark is removed and restoration becomes necessary, an additional fee applies on top of the renewal fee and surcharge; check the current schedule on the IP India portal, since this component of the fee structure changes more often than the standard renewal rate.
Don't Track Renewal Dates Manually
Send us your registration details and we'll confirm your exact expiry date and file the renewal well before the deadline — no last-minute scramble.
What Actually Happens If You Miss It
- The mark is removed from the register. Once removed, you lose the exclusive statutory rights the registration gave you.
- Competitors can move in. A removed mark is, for practical purposes, available again — someone else could file for the identical or similar name in your class.
- Restoration is not guaranteed. It requires a separate application, additional fees, and is time-limited — it is a recovery option, not a routine process.
- Platform registrations can be affected. Brand registries on marketplaces (which often require an active trademark) can be impacted if the underlying registration lapses.
Renewal Has No Limit
There is no cap on how many times a trademark can be renewed. As long as each 10-year renewal is filed on time (or within the grace period), a mark can, in principle, remain registered indefinitely — unlike a patent, which has a hard expiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 10-year validity period actually start?
From the date of filing the original application — not from the date the registration certificate is issued, and not from the date of the Trade Marks Journal publication. Check the "Date of Expiry" on the IP India portal directly for your exact date.
How early can I file a trademark renewal?
Up to one year before the expiry date. Filing early doesn't shorten your protection period — the renewed term still runs from the original expiry date, not from when you filed or paid.
What happens if I miss the renewal deadline?
A 6-month grace period is available under Section 25(3), with a surcharge added to the standard renewal fee. If that window is also missed, the mark is liable to be removed from the register, and restoration — a separate, costlier process — becomes the only route back.
Do startups get a renewal fee discount like they do on filing?
No. The MSME/startup concession applies only to the original filing fee. Renewal is charged at the standard rate — ₹9,000 per class online — for every applicant category.
Is there a limit to how many times I can renew?
No. A trademark can be renewed indefinitely, every 10 years, as long as each renewal is filed on time or within the grace period.
Can I rely on the Registry's renewal reminder notice?
Not as your primary tracker. The notice is sent to the address for service on file, which can be outdated, and delivery isn't guaranteed to reach you in time. Keep your own calendar with the actual expiry date.