Check Trademark Status on IP India Portal
Every trademark application filed in India is tracked in real time on the official IP India portal, and the status shown against your application number tells you exactly where your mark stands and what action, if any, is due. Reading that status correctly matters, because several stages carry strict deadlines that can lead to abandonment if missed. This guide explains how to check your trademark status by application number and what each common status term means in 2026.
Why you should track your trademark status
Once you file a trademark application, the Registry does not send regular reminders for every step. Timelines such as the 30-day window to reply to an examination objection or the 2-month window to file a counter statement against an opposition run from the date the relevant document is uploaded, not from any notice you receive personally. Checking the portal periodically is the most reliable way to protect your rights, and it is free and open to the public.
How to check trademark status on the IP India portal
The status of any Indian trademark application can be viewed on the official IP India online services website. You will need your application number, also referred to as the National or IRDI number, which is allotted at the time of filing.
- Open the IP India online services portal at ipindiaonline.gov.in and go to the Trade Marks section.
- Select the Trade Mark Status option from the left-hand menu.
- Choose the search option National/IRDI Number.
- Enter your trademark application number, which is generally a 7 to 8 digit number.
- Type the case-sensitive captcha shown on screen exactly as displayed.
- Click View to see the current status summary of the application.
- Click the hyperlinked application number to open the detailed report, which lists the mark, class, applicant details, prosecution history and any documents or alerts on record.
The detailed view also shows uploaded documents such as the examination report, journal advertisement details and, once granted, the registration certificate. Keep a note of the class and the renewal date, as a registered trademark must be renewed every ten years.
Understanding the common trademark status terms
The portal uses a set of standard status labels that correspond to the stage of examination and prosecution. The following are the terms you are most likely to encounter, with what each one means in practice.
New Application
The application has been filed and recorded in the system with an application number allotted. You obtain a priority date from filing and may begin using the TM symbol, though registration is not yet granted.
Send to Vienna Codification
This appears for logo or device marks. The Registry is classifying the visual elements of the mark using the international Vienna codification system so that similar marks can be indexed and searched. It is a routine administrative step and requires no action from you.
Formalities Chk Pass
The formalities check has been cleared. This means the procedural requirements, such as a properly executed power of attorney, the user affidavit where required and correct payment of government fees, are in order. The application then proceeds to substantive examination.
Formalities Chk Fail
The formalities check has not been cleared, usually because of a procedural defect such as a missing or improperly signed power of attorney, a name mismatch or a document error. You should rectify the defect promptly, as an unattended failure can eventually lead to the application being treated as abandoned.
Marked for Exam
The application has been assigned to an examiner who will review the mark for distinctiveness and for conflict with earlier marks under the Trade Marks Act. This stage can take some weeks before an examination report is issued.
Objected
The examiner has raised one or more objections in an examination report, typically on grounds of similarity to existing marks or lack of distinctiveness. You must file a written reply to the examination report, generally within 30 days of the report being issued. A failure to respond in time can result in the application being abandoned.
Advertised or Accepted and Advertised
The mark has been accepted and published in the Trade Marks Journal, or advertised before acceptance where the Registrar has allowed publication while certain queries remain. Publication opens a period, generally four months, during which third parties may oppose the mark.
Opposed
A third party has filed a notice of opposition against your published mark. You must file a counter statement in response, generally within 2 months, and this timeline is not extendable. If you do not file a counter statement in time, the application is treated as abandoned.
Registered
The application has been granted and the mark is on the Register of Trade Marks with a registration number and certificate. You may now use the ® symbol, and the registration is valid for ten years from the date of application, renewable thereafter.
Abandoned
The application is treated as dead, usually because a required response or deadline, such as replying to an objection or filing a counter statement, was missed. Protection is lost and a fresh application is generally required to seek registration again.
Refused
The Registrar has rejected the application after considering the response, often following a hearing. You may pursue a review before the Registrar or an appeal, depending on the circumstances and the applicable timelines.
Withdrawn
The applicant has voluntarily discontinued the application, for example following a settlement or a commercial decision not to proceed with the mark.
Practical tips while tracking your application
Check the status at least once a month, and more frequently once the mark has been examined or advertised, since the objection and opposition stages carry the tightest deadlines. Always work from the date shown against the uploaded document on the portal rather than assuming a notice will reach you separately. If the status shows Objected or Opposed, treat it as time-sensitive and arrange for a professional reply well before the deadline lapses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the National number and the IRDI number?
For applications filed directly in India, the National number is your ordinary application number. The IRDI number relates to applications routed through the international Madrid system that designate India. On the portal you select whichever applies and enter that number to view the status.
Does Formalities Chk Pass mean my trademark is registered?
No. Formalities Chk Pass only confirms that the procedural requirements have been met. The mark still has to clear substantive examination, publication and the opposition period before it can be registered.
How long do I have to reply if my application is shown as Objected?
You generally have 30 days from the issue of the examination report to file a reply. Missing this window can lead to the application being abandoned, so a timely, well-drafted response is important.
Can an abandoned trademark application be revived?
An abandoned application is usually treated as closed, and in most cases you would need to file a fresh application. In limited situations revival may be possible where the abandonment resulted from a genuine procedural lapse, but this depends on the facts and the Registry’s discretion.
How often should I check my trademark status?
A monthly check is a sensible minimum, increasing to fortnightly once the mark has been examined or advertised. This helps you catch objection and opposition deadlines, which are strict and, in the case of opposition, not extendable.
If keeping track of examination reports, journal advertisements and opposition deadlines feels overwhelming, TAXAJ can manage the entire process for you, from trademark registration through to ongoing status monitoring and renewals, so your brand stays protected without you having to watch the portal yourself.
