Trademark renewal in India protects your brand name for an additional 10 years under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Any registered brand owner must file Form TM-R before the expiry date (or within a 6-month grace period) to avoid cancellation. The government fee is ₹9,000 per class for e-filing. Missing the deadline means your brand loses legal protection and can be picked up by competitors.

• Validity: 10 years from registration or last renewal date
• Government fee: ₹9,000/class (e-filing); ₹10,000/class (physical filing)
• Grace period: 6 months after expiry (surcharge applies)

What is Trademark Renewal?

Trademark renewal is the legal process of extending the validity of a registered trademark for another 10-year term. Under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, every trademark registered in India has an initial validity of 10 years from the date of registration. After that, it must be renewed indefinitely every 10 years to keep the brand name protected.

Without renewal, the trademark lapses and is removed from the Trademarks Registry. Once removed, any third party can apply to register the same brand name, leaving your business exposed to brand theft, counterfeiting, and loss of goodwill.

Why Brand Names Must Be Renewed

A registered trademark gives your brand name exclusive rights in India. Renewal ensures those rights remain unbroken. Here is what you risk if you skip renewal:

• Loss of exclusivity: Competitors can legally use or register your brand name
• Loss of legal remedy: You cannot sue for infringement if the trademark has lapsed
• Brand confusion: Customers may be misled by similar names in the market
• Re-registration cost: Registering afresh takes 18–24 months and costs more than renewal
• Loss of seniority: Your original priority date is lost, weakening any future disputes

For businesses that have invested years in building a brand name, trademark renewal is non-negotiable. Taxocity's trademark services cover both fresh registration and renewal to ensure continuous protection.

Who Can File for Trademark Renewal?

Any registered trademark owner in India can file for renewal. This includes:

• Individual brand owners and sole proprietors
• Private limited companies and LLPs
• Partnerships and public companies
• Startups registered under Startup India
• Foreign companies with trademarks registered in India

If the trademark has been assigned or transferred, the new owner (assignee) must file the renewal after updating ownership records with the Registry.

How to Renew a Trademark for Your Brand Name (2026)

The renewal process is handled through the IP India Online portal and involves the following steps:

Step 1: Check Your Trademark Status

Log in to the IP India portal and verify the current status of your trademark. Confirm the registration number, class, expiry date, and the name of the registered owner. This avoids errors in the renewal application.

Step 2: Prepare Form TM-R

Form TM-R is the prescribed form for trademark renewal under Rule 57 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017. It requires the trademark registration number, applicant details, the class(es) under which renewal is sought, and the period for which renewal is requested (typically 10 years).

Step 3: Pay the Government Fee

The fee is paid online at the time of filing. As of 2026, the fees are:

Filing Mode	Fee per Class
E-filing (online)	₹9,000
Physical filing	₹10,000
Late renewal (within grace period)	Additional surcharge of 50% of the renewal fee

Step 4: Submit and Track

After submission, you will receive an acknowledgment number. The Registry processes the application and issues a renewal certificate. You can track the status on the IP India portal using the trademark number.

Key Deadlines and Timelines

Event	Timeline
Renewal window opens	1 year before expiry date
Deadline to file (no surcharge)	On or before the expiry date
Grace period (with surcharge)	Up to 6 months after expiry
Trademark removed from register	After 6-month grace period lapses
Restoration window (after removal)	Within 1 year of removal (Form TM-R with restoration fee)

The Trademark Registry typically processes renewal applications within 30 to 90 days, though timelines can vary. You are advised to file at least 3 to 6 months before the expiry date to avoid any last-minute complications.

Trademark Renewal vs. Fresh Registration

Factor	Trademark Renewal	Fresh Registration
Cost (per class)	₹9,000 (e-filing)	₹4,500 (individuals/startups); ₹9,000 (others)
Timeline	30–90 days	18–24 months
Priority date retained?	Yes	No (new priority date assigned)
Opposition risk	Low (already registered)	High (3rd party can oppose)
Protection continuity	Unbroken	Gap in protection exists

Renewal is always preferable to allowing a trademark to lapse and re-applying. The original priority date, which is critical in any infringement dispute, is preserved only through timely renewal.

What Happens If a Brand Trademark Lapses?

If you miss both the renewal deadline and the 6-month grace period, your trademark is removed from the Trade Marks Register. At that point, you have two options:

• Restoration: Apply for restoration within 1 year of removal using Form TM-R along with the renewal fee and a restoration fee. The Registry may restore the trademark at its discretion.
• Fresh Registration: File a new trademark application. This resets your priority date and restarts the 18–24 month registration process, during which your brand name has no legal protection.

Neither option is as cost-effective or secure as simply renewing on time. Setting calendar reminders at the 12-month and 6-month marks before expiry is strongly recommended.

Documents Required for Trademark Renewal

• Trademark registration certificate (original number)
• Identity proof of the applicant (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport)
• Authorization letter or Power of Attorney if filing through an agent
• Updated logo or mark (if a logo renewal is sought)
• Proof of assignment or transfer (if ownership has changed since registration)

Renewing Trademarks Across Multiple Classes

If your brand name is registered under multiple classes (for example, a clothing brand registered under Class 25 for apparel and Class 35 for retail services), each class must be renewed separately. The government fee of ₹9,000 applies per class.

Before renewal, it is worth auditing which classes are actually being used commercially. Under the Trade Marks Act, a trademark can be challenged for non-use if it has not been used for 5 consecutive years. Renewing all classes reflexively without an audit can result in unnecessary costs, and dormant classes may still be vulnerable to cancellation proceedings.

Brands registered under Startup India or as MSMEs may also be eligible for reduced fees on fresh trademark applications, though renewal fees are standardized across applicant categories.

How Taxocity Helps With Trademark Renewal

Taxocity, with over 3 decades of experience in business compliance and IP services, offers end-to-end trademark renewal assistance for brand owners across India. Rated 4.8/5 from 5,000+ reviews, Taxocity's team of real human experts ensures:

• Proactive deadline tracking so your renewal is never missed
• Accurate Form TM-R preparation and e-filing
• Class audit before renewal to optimise your portfolio
• Post-renewal certificate follow-up with the Registry
• 100% compliance guarantee on all filings
• End-to-end support from initial trademark registration through renewal and enforcement

Whether you are an individual brand owner, a startup, or an established business, Taxocity's trademark services are designed to keep your brand legally protected without complexity or delays.

Key Takeaways

1. A registered trademark in India is valid for 10 years and must be renewed before expiry using Form TM-R.
2. The e-filing fee is ₹9,000 per class; a 50% surcharge applies during the 6-month grace period.
3. Missing both the deadline and the grace period results in trademark removal from the Register.
4. Renewal preserves your original priority date, which is critical for infringement disputes.
5. Brands registered in multiple classes must renew each class separately.
6. An IP audit before renewal helps eliminate dormant classes and reduce costs.
7. File at least 3–6 months before the expiry date to avoid Registry backlogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a trademark valid in India?

A trademark registered in India is valid for 10 years from the date of registration. It can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods by filing Form TM-R and paying the prescribed fee before or on the expiry date.

Can I renew a trademark after it has expired?

Yes. You can file for renewal within 6 months after the expiry date by paying the standard renewal fee plus a 50% surcharge. After this grace period, the trademark is removed from the Register, but restoration is possible within 1 year of removal on payment of an additional restoration fee.

What is Form TM-R?

Form TM-R is the prescribed form under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 used to apply for trademark renewal in India. It must be filed with the Trademark Registry along with the government fee of ₹9,000 per class (e-filing) or ₹10,000 per class (physical filing).

How much does trademark renewal cost in India?

The government fee for trademark renewal in India is ₹9,000 per class for e-filing and ₹10,000 per class for physical filing. If filed during the 6-month grace period after expiry, an additional surcharge of 50% of the renewal fee applies. Professional service charges are separate.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Trademark laws and fees are subject to change. Please consult a qualified trademark attorney or IP professional before making any decisions regarding your trademark portfolio.

Sources

• IP India - Trade Marks: https://ipindia.gov.in/trade-marks.htm
• IP India Online Portal: https://ipindiaonline.gov.in/
• Taxocity Trademark Registration: https://www.taxocity.com/trademark-registration
• Taxocity - Trademark Registration Process in India: https://www.taxocity.com/blogs/trademark-registration-process-india