How to Choose the Right Trademark Class in India (with real examples)

Filing a trademark in the wrong class is one of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes founders make. The class decides what your trademark protects you against, and you cannot enlarge it later without a fresh filing. This guide walks you through India's trademark class system and how to pick the right one.

India uses the Nice Classification (45 classes)

India is a signatory to the Nice Agreement and follows the Nice Classification, 12th edition. There are 45 classes:

• Classes 1–34: Goods (physical products)
• Classes 35–45: Services

Use our Trademark Class Search tool to find your class by keyword in 30 seconds.

Real-world examples

Software & technology

• Software product (downloadable / SaaS) → Class 9 (downloadable software / apps)
• SaaS / software development services / cloud computing → Class 42
• Most SaaS startups should file in both Class 9 and Class 42

Clothing & accessories

• T-shirts, jeans, sarees, footwear, headwear → Class 25
• Handbags, wallets, belts, luggage → Class 18
• Online clothing store → also file Class 35 (retail / e-commerce)

Food & beverages

• Restaurant / cafe / cloud kitchen (service) → Class 43
• Packaged snacks, sweets, biscuits, chocolates → Class 30
• Fresh fruits, vegetables, raw agriculture → Class 31
• Beer, soft drinks, juices → Class 32
• Wine, whisky, beer brand for distribution → Class 33

Beauty & wellness

• Cosmetics, soap, shampoo, perfume → Class 3
• Salon / spa services → Class 44
• Yoga / fitness studio → Class 41

Online businesses

• E-commerce platform, online marketplace → Class 35
• Online education / EdTech → Class 41
• Fintech / lending / payments app → Class 36 (and possibly 9 + 42)

Single-class vs multi-class filings

India allows multi-class applications in a single form (TM-A). Each additional class costs the same official fee (₹4,500 for individuals/startups, ₹9,000 for others). For most product startups, 2–3 classes is the sweet spot.

What if my product spans multiple categories?

Common founder example: a food delivery app

• Class 9: the mobile app itself
• Class 35: bringing together restaurants for customers to order
• Class 39: transport / delivery of meals
• Class 43: providing food and drink (if you also run a cloud kitchen)

Most modern startups need 3–5 classes for full protection.

Pre-filing trademark search (do this first)

Before filing, search the IP India Public Search for identical and deceptively similar marks in the classes you plan to file. Filing into a crowded class with similar existing marks almost guarantees an objection.

After filing: what to expect

• Day 0: TM-A filed; you can immediately use ™
• 2–3 weeks: Application status updates to "Examination Report"
• 6–18 months: Objections / opposition handled; if cleared, mark is registered and you can use ®
• Renewal: every 10 years

Need help identifying your classes? FilingBase's trademark attorneys do a free pre-filing class search. Start your trademark filing →