Quick Answer
A registered trademark in India is valid for 10 years from the filing date, not the certificate date, and does not renew automatically. Renewal costs ₹4,500 online for individuals, startups, and small enterprises, or ₹9,000 for companies, plus professional fees of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 if filed through an attorney. Miss the deadline, and a grace period followed by a restoration window is your only path back before the mark is permanently removed.
Trademark renewal in India runs on a fixed 10-year clock, and the Trademark Registry doesn’t chase you down when it’s about to expire. The responsibility sits with the owner. Missing the date doesn’t cancel your mark instantly, but it does start a countdown that eventually closes for good.
This guide covers when renewal is due, what it costs, what happens if you miss the deadline, and the exact steps to file on time.
When to Renew: Does a Trademark Renew Every 10 Years From Filing or Registration?
Trademark renewal in India is due 10 years from the filing date, not the date printed on the registration certificate. This is the single most common point of confusion for trademark owners, and it matters because certificates are often issued months or even years after filing.
If your application was filed on March 3, 2015, and the certificate was issued in late 2016, your renewal deadline is still March 3, 2025. The Registry does send reminder notices ahead of expiry, but these are a courtesy, not a legal safeguard. If your address on record is outdated or the notice is missed, the deadline doesn’t move.
Track your filing date, not your certificate date, and mark it independently of any reminder from the Registry.
How Much Does Trademark Renewal Cost in India?
Trademark renewal cost in India depends on the applicant type. Government fees for online filing break down as follows:
Applicant Type | Renewal Fee (Online) |
Individual / Startup / Small Enterprise | ₹4,500 |
Company / Other Entity | ₹9,000 |
If you file through an attorney, expect an additional professional fee of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000, depending on complexity. This fee structure mirrors the government fee tiers used at the initial filing stage, covered in our trademark registration cost guide, but the renewal fee itself is a separate, distinct charge.
Fees current as of this writing. Confirm current rates before filing, as government fee schedules are revised periodically.
What Happens if You Miss Your Trademark Renewal Deadline?
This is the highest-stakes section for any trademark owner who has already lapsed. India’s trademark restoration process follows a strict sequence, and each stage narrows your options further.
- Grace period. After the 10-year deadline passes, you can still renew the mark within the grace period, but a surcharge applies on top of the standard renewal fee.
- Restoration window. If the grace period also passes without action, the mark is removed from the register, but a restoration window remains open. Filing within this window requires an additional restoration fee, on top of the renewal fee and surcharge.
- Permanent removal. If both the grace period and the restoration window pass without action, the mark is permanently removed from the register. At this point, there is no restoration option. You would need to file a fresh application and lose your original priority date entirely.
Losing the original priority date is the real cost of permanent removal. Trademark rights in India are generally awarded on a first-to-file basis, so a competitor who files during the gap could establish priority over a mark you once owned.
Altacit Global can check the current status of your mark and confirm whether you’re within the grace period, the restoration window, or too late for either. Contact info@altacit.com.
Trademark Renewal Process in India: Step by Step
Filing a trademark renewal in India follows four steps:
- Confirm your renewal due date. Calculate 10 years from your original filing date, not the certificate issue date.
- File Form TM-R online before the deadline through the Trademark Registry’s e-filing portal.
- Pay the applicable renewal fee, based on your applicant category, plus any surcharge if filing within a grace period.
- Receive confirmation. Once processed, your mark continues under a fresh 10-year term from the renewal date.
Owners managing multiple marks, or renewal dates alongside other statutory filings, often track these deadlines through a broader compliance calendar rather than case by case.
Track Your Renewal Date Before It Tracks You
The 10-year cycle is generous, but it’s unforgiving once missed. Confirm your filing date today, not your certificate date, and file Form TM-R well ahead of the deadline rather than during the grace period.
Altacit Global tracks renewal deadlines and files trademark renewals on time, with an IP team based in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Coimbatore. Contact info@altacit.com to check your renewal status, or read our step-by-step registration guide if you’re filing a new mark.
Frequently Asked Questions: Trademark Renewal India
Q1: Does a trademark renew automatically in India?
No. A trademark does not renew automatically in India. The owner must file Form TM-R and pay the renewal fee before the 10-year deadline from the filing date. The Registry sends reminder notices, but responsibility for meeting the deadline rests entirely with the owner.
Q2: What happens if I miss my trademark renewal deadline?
Missing the deadline triggers a grace period during which you can still renew, subject to a surcharge. If the grace period also lapses, a restoration window opens with an additional restoration fee. If both windows pass, the mark is permanently removed from the register, and you lose your original priority date.
Q3: How much does trademark renewal cost in India?
Trademark renewal cost in India is ₹4,500 for individuals, startups, and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 for companies and other entities. Professional fees, if filed through an attorney, typically add ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. Confirm current rates before filing, as fees are subject to revision.
Q4: Can I renew my trademark for less than 10 years?
No. Trademark renewal in India is granted in fixed 10-year terms. There is no option to renew for a shorter period; each successful renewal extends protection for a full decade from the renewal date.
