Trademark Search in India: How to Do a Public Trademark Search Online (2026)
Before you invest time and money building a brand, one low-cost step can save you from an expensive mistake: a public trademark search. India’s IP India portal lets anyone check whether a similar name or logo is already filed or registered, for free. This 2026 guide walks you through how to run a proper search, read the results, and avoid the errors that trip up most first-time applicants.
Why search before you file
A trademark application in India is examined against existing marks. If your brand is identical or deceptively similar to a mark that was filed earlier, the examiner can raise an objection, a third party can oppose it, and your application can stall for months or fail outright. The government filing fee (Rs 4,500 or Rs 9,000 per class, explained below) is non-refundable if the application is refused.
A search done up front tells you three useful things:
- Whether an identical or similar mark already exists in your class.
- How strong the conflict is, based on the other mark’s status and filing date.
- Whether you should tweak the name, pick a different class, or proceed with confidence.
The IP India public search portal
The official free tool is the Trade Marks Registry public search at tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in. It is run by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) and covers marks that are registered, pending, objected, opposed, abandoned, or withdrawn. You do not need to log in to run a basic search.
The portal offers three search modes, and a thorough check uses all three rather than just one.
1. Wordmark search
This finds marks with similar spelling or structure. You enter your proposed name and choose a match option: Start With (marks beginning with your term), Contains (marks that include your term anywhere), or Match With (exact-spelling matches). Run each option separately; “Contains” usually surfaces the widest set of potential conflicts.
2. Phonetic search
This finds marks that sound similar even when spelled differently – for example “Kwality” versus “Quality”. Indian trademark examination relies heavily on phonetic similarity, so this search is critical for invented or stylised names.
3. Vienna code search
If your brand includes a logo, symbol, or device, the Vienna Classification assigns numeric codes to figurative elements. A Vienna code search finds existing logos with similar visual elements in your class.
Trademark classes: the NICE classification
India follows the NICE Classification, which sorts all goods and services into 45 classes. Classes 1 to 34 cover goods; classes 35 to 45 cover services. You must search and file in the class that matches your actual business activity, because protection is granted class by class.
| Class | Covers (examples) |
|---|---|
| 9 | Software, mobile apps, electronics, downloadable content |
| 25 | Clothing, footwear, headgear |
| 30 | Coffee, tea, snacks, bakery, spices |
| 35 | Advertising, retail, business services, e-commerce |
| 41 | Education, training, entertainment |
| 42 | IT, software development, design services |
The portal searches one class at a time. If your business spans several classes, search each relevant class separately.
Reading the search results and status
Each result shows the mark, application number, class, proprietor, and status. Two factors decide how much a conflicting mark matters: its status and its filing date (earlier filings have priority).
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Registered | Fully protected mark – strongest conflict. |
| Objected | Examiner raised concerns; still live and pending. |
| Opposed | A third party is challenging it; dispute in progress. |
| Abandoned / Withdrawn | No longer pursued, but prior use may still exist. |
A “clean” search is encouraging but not a guarantee – the examiner also considers distinctiveness and other statutory grounds.
Government filing fees (per class, per mark)
Fees are set by the Registry and are separate from any professional charges. As of 2026, e-filing the TM-A application costs Rs 4,500 per class for an individual, startup, or small enterprise (with valid Udyam/MSME or DPIIT recognition), and Rs 9,000 per class for companies and other applicants. Physical filing is higher, so online filing is almost always the better choice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Searching only the exact name. Phonetic and spelling variations matter as much as exact matches.
- Using just one search mode. Wordmark, phonetic, and Vienna searches each reveal different risks.
- Checking only one class. Search every class your business genuinely operates in.
- Ignoring abandoned marks. Prior use can still create common-law rights.
- Treating a clean result as approval. Examination weighs distinctiveness and other grounds too.
A careful search takes a bit of judgement, especially when weighing how similar is “too similar.” If you would rather have a professional run a full clearance search and read the risk for you, our team can help with a detailed trademark search and availability report before you file.
Frequently asked questions
Is the IP India trademark search free?
Yes. The public search at tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in is free and open to anyone, with no login required for a basic search. Only the actual application filing carries a government fee.
Which trademark search should I use first?
Start with a wordmark “Contains” search in your class, then run a phonetic search for similar-sounding names, and finally a Vienna code search if your brand includes a logo or device.
How many trademark classes are there in India?
There are 45 classes under the NICE Classification – classes 1 to 34 for goods and 35 to 45 for services. You register in the class that matches your business activity.
Does a clean search guarantee my trademark will be registered?
No. A clean search improves your chances, but the examiner also assesses distinctiveness and other statutory grounds, and third parties can oppose the mark after it is advertised.
What does an “Objected” status mean in the search results?
It means the examiner has raised concerns about that application, usually in an examination report. The mark is still live and pending, and it can still block or conflict with a similar new filing.
Running a public trademark search is one of the smartest first steps you can take before building a brand. If you would like a second pair of eyes on the results, TAXAJ is happy to help.
