Key Facts: A registered trademark in India is valid for 10 years from the date of application. Renewal is due before the expiry date. A 6-month grace period is available after expiry (with a surcharge). If not renewed within the grace period, the mark lapses and must be restored — or re-filed from scratch.
Check Your Renewal Date: Log in to the IP India — CGPDTM official portal (ipindia.gov.in) and search for your trademark by application number to find the exact expiry date and renewal status.
Many businesses invest time and money registering a trademark — and then let it lapse because they miss the renewal deadline. A lapsed trademark loses all its registered rights. Competitors can file the same or similar mark. Years of brand protection disappear. This guide explains everything you need to know to keep your trademark alive indefinitely.
If you haven’t registered your trademark yet, start here: How to Register a Trademark in India. For the full lifecycle — from filing to renewal — see the Trademark Application Process Guide.
How Long Is a Trademark Valid in India?
Under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act 1999, a registered trademark is valid for ten years from the date of application — not from the date of registration. This distinction matters: if you filed your application in March 2016 but received your Registration Certificate in November 2017, your trademark expires in March 2026, not November 2027.
After each 10-year period, the trademark can be renewed indefinitely in successive 10-year periods. There is no cap on how many times you can renew — a trademark can theoretically last forever, as long as it is renewed on time and remains in use.
When to Renew — The Three Renewal Windows
- ✅ Ideal Window — Up to 1 Year Before Expiry: Renew anytime in the 12 months before expiry. Standard renewal fee applies. No surcharge. Recommended timing.
- ⚠ Grace Period — 0–6 Months After Expiry: Still renewable, with a surcharge added to the renewal fee. Mark is technically expired during this period.
- ❌ Lapsed — After 6-Month Grace Period: Mark is removed from the register. It can still be restored and renewed within one year of the expiry date; after that, you must file a fresh application.
Don't rely on the Registry's reminder. The Registry sends a renewal notice (Form O-3) to the registered address before expiry, but it can be missed if your address or email is out of date. Track the date yourself and set a reminder at least 6 months before expiry.
Trademark Renewal Fees (2026)
| Renewal Type | Form | Government fee (e-filing, per class) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard renewal (up to 1 year before expiry) | TM-R | ₹9,000 |
| Renewal with surcharge (within 6 months after expiry) | TM-R | ₹13,500 (₹9,000 + ₹4,500 surcharge) |
| Restoration and renewal (6–12 months after expiry) | TM-R | ₹18,000 (₹9,000 + ₹9,000 restoration fee) |
The renewal fee is the same for individuals, startups, MSMEs and companies.
Renewal fees are charged per class — the same class structure as your original filing. For a full breakdown of all trademark fees: Trademark Registration Fees in India (2026) Explained.
How to Renew a Trademark: Step-by-Step
- Check Your Expiry Date — Log in to the IP India public search portal and search by your application number. Confirm the application date — your trademark expires exactly 10 years from that date (not the registration date).
- Log In to the TM e-Filing Portal — Visit the IP India online filing portal at tmrsofiling.ipindia.gov.in. Log in with your credentials. If you originally filed through an agent, coordinate with them as the application will be under their login.
- File Form TM-R — Select “Form TM-R” (Application for Renewal of Registration of Trade Mark). Enter your trademark application/registration number, the class(es) to renew, and applicant details. Verify all details carefully before proceeding.
- Pay the Renewal Fee Online — Pay the prescribed renewal fee per class via the integrated payment gateway. Payment can be made by net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. You will receive an e-receipt immediately after payment.
- Receive Renewal Certificate — After the renewal is processed, the Registry updates the trademark register and issues a Renewal Certificate. The trademark is now valid for another 10 years from the date of the previous expiry (not from the date of renewal filing).
What If Your Trademark Has Already Lapsed?
If your trademark has expired and the 6-month grace period has also passed, the mark is removed from the register. However, it can still be restored under Section 25(4) of the Trade Marks Act — but only within one year from the expiry date:
Restoration Application
- File Form TM-R as a request for restoration and renewal
- Pay ₹18,000 per class (e-filing), which covers the renewal fee and the restoration fee
- Submit a statement explaining why the renewal was not made within the prescribed time
- The Registrar has discretion to allow restoration if satisfied with the reasons shown
Restoration is not guaranteed — it is at the discretion of the Registrar. If restoration is refused, you will need to file a fresh trademark application. Note that a fresh application loses your original filing date, which means any third party who filed a similar mark after your expiry may have priority over you.
Critical Warning: During the period between expiry and restoration/re-filing, your brand is unprotected. A competitor can file an identical or similar mark, and your expired registration cannot block them. This is one of the most damaging and entirely preventable mistakes in trademark management.
Renewing Multi-Class Trademarks
If your trademark is registered across multiple classes, you can renew all classes simultaneously in a single Form TM-R filing. You must pay the renewal fee for each class. There is no discount for multi-class renewal — each class is charged at the full per-class rate.
If you are using your trademark actively in some classes but not others, this is the time to review. You can choose to renew only the classes where the mark is in genuine use and let the others lapse. However, be aware that letting any class lapse may open those classes to third-party filings.
Best Practices for Trademark Renewal
- Set reminders 12 months before expiry — gives you time to review usage, gather evidence, and file without rushing
- Assign renewal management to a specific person — especially important for businesses with multiple trademarks across classes
- Keep your contact details updated with IP India — if any official correspondence is sent regarding your mark, you want to receive it
- Work with a trademark agent for renewal — they track deadlines and handle filing, reducing the risk of lapse through oversight
- Audit your trademark portfolio annually — identify which marks are still actively used, which classes are worth renewing, and whether any marks need to be updated
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does my trademark expire on the application date or the registration date?
Your trademark expires 10 years from the application (filing) date, not from the date your Registration Certificate was issued. For example, if you filed on 15 March 2016 and received your certificate on 10 November 2017, your trademark expires on 15 March 2026. Always track your application date, not your registration date.
Can I use the ® symbol during the grace period after expiry?
Technically, the trademark has expired even during the grace period — it is no longer a “registered” trademark until renewed. Using the ® symbol on expired trademarks can be considered misrepresentation. You should ideally complete renewal before expiry to maintain uninterrupted use of ®. See: TM vs ® Symbol — When to Use Each in India.
Can I renew a trademark that has never been used?
Yes — the Trade Marks Act does not require proof of use at the renewal stage. You can renew a registered trademark regardless of whether it has been actively used. However, a mark that has not been used for a continuous period of 5 years (counted up to 3 months before the application) can be challenged for non-use by a third party and potentially removed from the register through a rectification petition.
If I renew my trademark late (within the grace period), does my renewed trademark start from the expiry date?
Yes. The renewed trademark runs from the original expiry date, not from the date you filed the renewal. So if your trademark expired on 15 March 2026 and you renewed on 10 June 2026 (within the 6-month grace period), your next renewal will be due on 15 March 2036.
What happens to trademark objections or oppositions if my mark is up for renewal?
Renewal and pending proceedings are separate matters. If your trademark has a pending objection or opposition, you still need to renew it on time to keep the registration alive. The proceedings do not pause the expiry clock. Renew first — the proceedings continue independently.
This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; check the latest position or talk to our team before acting.