A trademark is one of the most valuable assets your business can own. Whether it is your brand name, logo, or tagline, protecting it legally gives you exclusive rights and keeps competitors at bay. Here is a clear breakdown of how the trademark registration process works in India.
Government Fee
Individual / Startup / MSME
₹4,500
Paid directly on the Government Trademark Portal
Companies / LLPs / Others
₹9,000
Paid directly on the Government Trademark Portal
In addition to the government fee, Vakil Help Desk charges a minimal professional service fee to handle filing, follow-ups, and legal support on your behalf.
Required Documents
- 1 Startup / MSME Certificate — Companies, LLPs, and others normally pay a government fee of ₹9,000. However, if you hold a valid Startup or MSME certificate, you qualify for the reduced fee of ₹4,500
- 2 Name of Applicant — individual or company name as it should appear on the application
- 3 Address of Applicant — complete registered address
- 4 Logo / Brand Name to be Filed — the mark you wish to protect
- 5 Power of Attorney — executed on a ₹100 Stamp Paper, authorising us to act on your behalf
Filing & Examination Process
Once your documents are in order, here is exactly what happens at each stage of the trademark registration journey.
Normal Process
~2 Years
if no objection & no opposition
- ₹4,500 (MSME/Individual)
- ₹9,000 (Companies/LLPs)
- + Extra time if objected
- + 3–4 years if opposition filed
Expedited Process
6–8 Months
if no objection & no opposition
- ₹20,000 expedited fee — charged over and above the basic government fee (₹4,500 or ₹9,000 as applicable)
- Priority examination by registry
- Significantly faster at every stage
- Ideal for active brands & businesses
Application Filed
We file your trademark application on the Government Trademark Portal with all required documents.
Usually next working dayTrademark Application Number Issued
You receive your official Trademark Application Number — typically by the next working day after filing. This number can be used to track your application status.
Start Using the “TM” Symbol
Once filed, you are legally permitted to use the ™ symbol alongside your brand name or logo immediately — even before registration is complete.
Immediate right upon filingGovernment Examination
The Trademark Registry examines your application for distinctiveness and conflicts with existing marks.
Examination Outcome
After examination, one of two outcomes occurs:
✓ Accepted
The mark is published in the Trademark Journal for 4 months. If no opposition is filed, the trademark is registered and a certificate is issued.
△ Objected
We file a detailed objection reply on your behalf. If the department schedules a hearing, we represent you at the hearing as well. This adds additional time to the process.
Third-Party Opposition (if any)
If a third party opposes your trademark during the Journal publication period, separate opposition proceedings are initiated. These involve a counter reply followed by Rule 45, Rule 46, and Rule 47 filings, and then a hearing. This can extend the total timeline to 3–4 years in the normal process, even with the expedited route if opposition is filed.
Opposition proceeding steps
How Long Does It Really Take?
Here is a realistic timeline summary to help you plan ahead:
| Scenario | Normal Process | Expedited Process |
|---|---|---|
| No objection, no opposition | ~2 years | 6–8 months |
| Objection raised by examiner | 2+ years | Faster, but adds time |
| Third-party opposition filed | 3–4 years | 3–4 years |
Important Notes
⚠ Please Read Before Proceeding
- Facilitator Role: Vakil Help Desk is a legal services facilitator. We assist with documentation, filing coordination, and follow-ups on your behalf. We do not directly represent you as a registered trademark agent before the Trade Marks Registry.
- No Guarantee of Registration: Vakil Help Desk does not provide any guarantee, assurance, or surety regarding the registration of a trademark. Registration is solely at the discretion of the Trade Marks Registry based on the merits of the application and applicable law.
- Outcome Disclaimer: Timelines mentioned in this article are indicative and based on general experience. Actual timelines may vary depending on departmental workload, nature of objections, and opposition proceedings. Vakil Help Desk shall not be held liable for any delay or refusal by the Trade Marks Registry.
- Government Fee: The government fees mentioned (₹4,500 / ₹9,000 / ₹20,000 expedited) are paid directly to the Government Trademark Portal and are subject to change at the discretion of the Government of India. Vakil Help Desk professional fees are separate and will be communicated at the time of engagement.
Ready to protect your brand?
Vakil Help Desk makes trademark registration simple, affordable, and hassle-free. We handle everything — from filing to follow-ups — so you can focus on building your brand.
