Trademark Renewal in India: The Complete 2026 Guide
A trademark is not a one-time filing - it is a right you must actively renew every 10 years, or you risk losing the brand protection you paid to build. This guide covers when to renew, how Form TM-R filing works, government fees, restoration options if you missed the deadline, and how KanoonPe files your renewal with a verified IP attorney handling every step.
Quick summary
- What it is: Re-registering an existing trademark with the Registrar before its 10-year term expires, keeping your exclusive rights alive.
- Governed by: the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and Trade Marks Rules, 2017 (Section 25).
- Best for: Any trademark owner whose registration is approaching or has just crossed its 10-year renewal date.
- You get: Continued exclusive nationwide rights and an unbroken registration record.
- KanoonPe price: Flat, all-inclusive quote on a free callback · Timeline: filed in 24–48 hours; certificate typically issued in 2–4 months.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Trade Marks Act, 1999 (Section 25) & Trade Marks Rules, 2017 |
| Registering authority | Registrar of Trade Marks, CGPDTM, ipindia.gov.in |
| Filing form | TM-R (renewal); Form TM-R with surcharge for restoration after lapse |
| Renewal window | 1 year before expiry up to 6 months after expiry (with surcharge) |
| Government fee (per class) | ₹5,000 (individual/startup/MSME, e-filing) / ₹10,000 (other entities); restoration adds ₹5,000/₹10,000 surcharge |
| Validity after renewal | Further 10 years from the expiry date |
| Timeline | 2–4 months for the renewed certificate; filing itself takes a day |
| KanoonPe price | Flat, all-inclusive quote - request a free callback |
What is trademark renewal?
Trademark renewal is the statutory process of extending a registered trademark's protection for another 10 years by filing Form TM-R with the Registrar of Trade Marks before the existing registration expires under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Unlike patents or designs, trademarks can be renewed indefinitely - there is no upper limit on how many times you renew, which means a trademark can theoretically last forever as long as you keep filing on time. Missing the deadline does not kill your mark instantly, but it moves you into a restoration process that costs more, takes longer, and carries a real risk that the Registrar removes your mark from the register.
Renewal is a formality only in the sense that no fresh examination happens - but the deadline is unforgiving, and a lapsed mark can be picked up by a competitor or challenged by a third party during the gap.
When should you renew?
- Standard renewal window - any time from 12 months before the expiry date up to the expiry date itself.
- Grace period with surcharge - up to 6 months after expiry, the Registrar allows renewal on payment of a surcharge, without treating the mark as "removed."
- Restoration window - if the mark is removed from the register for non-renewal, it can still be restored within 1 year of the removal date by filing Form TM-R with the restoration fee and a request showing why the mark should be restored.
- After 1 year of removal - the mark is permanently removed from the register, and you would have to file a brand-new application, losing your original priority date.
Who needs trademark renewal?
- Brand owners whose 10-year registration term is approaching expiry.
- Businesses that missed their renewal date and are still within the 6-month grace or 1-year restoration window.
- Companies acquiring or licensing a trademark who want to confirm the underlying registration is current before a deal closes.
- Franchisors who must keep the parent mark active to support ongoing franchise agreements.
If you are unsure of your mark's expiry date, it is listed on your original Certificate of Registration and on the IP India public search portal.
Benefits of timely trademark renewal
- Unbroken legal protection - Your exclusive rights continue without any gap that a competitor could exploit.
- Avoids the restoration surcharge - Renewing on time is cheaper than restoring a removed mark.
- Protects brand value - A continuously registered mark supports licensing, franchising, and valuation without complications.
- Keeps enforcement options open - You retain full standing to sue for infringement; a lapsed mark weakens your legal position.
- Preserves your original priority date - Renewal keeps your filing date intact; a fresh application after permanent removal does not.
- Supports ongoing use of ® - You can continue using the registered symbol without interruption.
Documents required for trademark renewal
Identity and ownership
- Certificate of Registration or the trademark registration number
- PAN card of the registered proprietor
- Proof of current ownership (if the entity name or address has changed since original filing)
Authorisation
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48) authorising the filing agent, if not already on record
- Board resolution or authorisation letter for companies/LLPs
For restoration cases (lapsed marks)
- Details of the expiry and removal date
- A brief explanation of the delay, where required by the Registrar
Ready to get started? Talk to a verified expert → - get a transparent, all-inclusive quote for trademark renewal within one business hour.
Trademark renewal process (step by step)
- Check expiry status. We verify your mark's exact expiry date and current status on the IP India portal using the registration number.
- Prepare Form TM-R. We draft and file the renewal application along with the applicable government fee, based on whether you are inside the standard window, grace period, or restoration window.
- Pay the government fee. Fees are filed online through the IP India e-filing gateway; a receipt and renewal application number are generated instantly.
- Registrar processing. The Registrar updates the register to reflect the renewed term; no fresh examination is conducted for a straightforward renewal.
- Restoration hearing (if applicable). For marks removed from the register, the Registrar may require a short hearing or additional justification before allowing restoration.
- Renewed certificate issued. The Registrar issues confirmation that the mark is renewed for a further 10 years from the original expiry date.
Trademark renewal cost in India
| Cost component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Government fee - renewal (per class, e-filing) | ₹5,000 - individual/startup/MSME; ₹10,000 - other entities |
| Government fee - restoration surcharge (per class) | Additional ₹5,000 - individual/startup/MSME; ₹10,000 - other entities |
| Professional/attorney fee | Bundled into KanoonPe's flat price |
| Objection or hearing during restoration | Charged separately if a hearing is required |
KanoonPe offers a flat, all-inclusive quote covering the professional fee for one class, with government fees shown upfront based on your applicant type and whether you fall inside the standard renewal or restoration window.
Trademark renewal timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Status check + TM-R filing | 1–2 working days |
| Registrar processing (standard renewal) | 1–2 months |
| Restoration processing (if lapsed) | 3–6 months, may include a hearing |
| Total (standard renewal) | 2–4 months |
Post-renewal steps
- Update your records with the new renewal date across licensing and franchise agreements.
- Set a reminder 18 months before the next expiry so you never enter the grace period again.
- Consider a watch service to monitor for conflicting filings during periods when your mark's status is being updated - see Trademark Watch / Monitoring.
- Update ownership records if the business has been sold or restructured - see Trademark Assignment.
- Extend protection abroad if you are expanding internationally - see International Trademark (Madrid Protocol).
Risks of not renewing on time
Failing to renew within the grace period leads to the mark being removed from the register. A removed mark loses its priority date, can be challenged or re-registered by a third party, and forces you into a costly restoration process or, after a year, a fresh application that starts your protection clock over - with no guarantee you will still get the same mark if someone else has filed for it in the meantime.
Trademark renewal vs fresh registration
| Factor | Renewal | Fresh registration (after permanent removal) |
|---|---|---|
| Priority date | Retained from original filing | New filing date, no continuity |
| Examination | Not required | Full examination under Sections 9 and 11 |
| Cost | Lower, no professional re-drafting needed | Full registration cost applies again |
| Risk | Minimal if filed on time | Mark may already be taken by someone else |
Why choose KanoonPe
- Transparent flat pricing - one all-inclusive professional fee per class; government fees shown upfront by applicant type.
- Filed within 24 hours or refund - every renewal order ships with a written SLA.
- One accountable case owner - a verified IP attorney tracks your expiry date and handles the entire filing.
- Live status tracking - monitor your renewal or restoration application status in your dashboard.
Trusted by 50,000+ businesses, rated 4.7/5, with 500+ verified CAs, CS, and lawyers.