Trademark Registration in India for Foreign Companies and NRIs
Direct filing or the Madrid route, with a local representative, clearance search and full follow-up in India.
Quick answer
Foreign applicants filed 13,749 trademark applications in India in 2024-25. A foreign company can file directly in India or designate India under the Madrid Protocol, and needs an address for service in India. Trademark Wale acts as your Indian representative and handles search, filing, objections and renewal.
Where foreign filings come from
Top ten countries by trademark applications filed in India in 2024-25:
| Country | Applications |
|---|---|
| United States of America | 4,031 |
| China | 2,235 |
| United Kingdom | 759 |
| United Arab Emirates | 610 |
| Japan | 607 |
| Singapore | 590 |
| Republic of Korea | 465 |
| Germany | 367 |
| Switzerland | 305 |
| Canada | 266 |
Source: Annual Report 2024-25, Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, Trade Marks and Geographical Indications (CGPDTM), Government of India. Figures are for the financial year April 2024 to March 2025 and are applications filed, not registrations granted.
Two ways to protect a brand in India
- Direct filing in India: an application is filed with the Indian Trade Marks Registry, with an address for service in India, and follows the normal process of examination, publication, opposition and registration.
- Madrid Protocol: an international application that designates India. India examines it like a national application.
Either way, the Indian Register is checked against marks filed by anyone in India, so a search before filing is important. See our free trademark search, the class guide and fees.
India market data to plan with
India is a large filing jurisdiction, with 552,190 trademark applications in 2024-25. The busiest states are Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat, and the busiest class is Class 5. See the full IP statistics for 2024-25.
This page is general information and not legal advice. Official procedures, fees and timelines are set by the Government of India and can change, so please check the current position with the Registry or speak to us before you act.
Foreign applicants: common questions
How many trademark applications do foreign applicants file in India?
Foreign applicants filed 13,749 trademark applications in India in 2024-25, according to the CGPDTM Annual Report 2024-25. The United States (4,031) and China (2,235) were the top two countries.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in India?
Yes. Foreign companies and individuals can apply, either directly through an Indian filing or by designating India under the Madrid Protocol. An address for service in India is needed for communication from the Registry, which is why many applicants appoint an Indian representative.
What is the Madrid route to India?
Under the Madrid System, an applicant can designate India in an international application. In 2024-25, 13,766 international registrations designated India, and they were examined and processed like national applications.
Does the same fee apply to foreign applicants?
Fees depend on the type of applicant and the route, so please check the current official fee schedule. We give you a written quote that shows government fees and our professional fee separately.
How can Trademark Wale help?
We run the clearance search, prepare and file the application, reply to objections, watch for opposition and handle renewal, and we act as your Indian representative.
Planning to enter the Indian market?
Share your brand name and what you sell, and we will tell you where you stand before you spend on filing.
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