How to Check the Status of Trademark Registration

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🔍 Did You Know? Every year, thousands of Indian trademark applications are permanently abandoned not because the mark was unregistrable, but because the applicant did not check the status in time and missed a 30-day reply deadline. A trademark application is not a passive document. It requires active monitoring from the day of filing to the day the registration certificate arrives.

Introduction

Filing a trademark application is the beginning of the brand protection journey, not the end. From the moment your Form TM-A application is filed at the IP India portal, your application enters a multi-stage process that unfolds over 6 to 18 months, and sometimes longer. Each stage has a specific status code, and several of those status codes come with strict legal deadlines attached.

Filing a trademark application is only the first step in a long legal marathon. A trademark application is a living legal document, navigating through a series of checkpoints from administrative screening to substantive examination and public scrutiny.

Misinterpreting these statuses or missing a 30-day deadline for a reply can result in your application being marked as “Abandoned,” effectively wasting your filing fees and, more importantly, leaving your brand name unprotected for competitors to seize.

In 2026, the IP India portal has been significantly upgraded with a revamped interface, OTP-based authentication for detailed record access, and AI-driven examination tools that have changed processing timelines. This guide explains exactly how to check trademark registration status online in India, what every status code means, what action each status requires, and how to ensure your application never lapses due to a missed deadline.

What You Need Before You Start

Your Trademark Application Number

Your application number is a 7 or 8-digit number assigned by the IP India system at the time of filing. It is printed on:

• The acknowledgement receipt issued at the time of online filing
• Any email confirmation from the IP India portal
• Any correspondence from your trademark agent or attorney
• Any official communication from the Trade Marks Registry

If you cannot locate your application number, you can retrieve it using the Public Search portal by searching your brand name, your name as applicant, or your trademark agent’s name.

What the Portal Gives You

Once you have the application number, the IP India eRegister portal gives you:

• Current status of the application
• Date of the most recent status change
• Examination Report (downloadable when the status is “Objected”)
• Hearing notices (when applicable)
• Publication details in the Trade Marks Journal (when the status is “Accepted and Advertised”)
• Registration certificate link (when the status is “Registered”)

The Three Portals: Which One to Use and When

The Indian Trade Marks Registry maintains several online portals for trademark applicants and the public. Understanding which portal to use for which purpose is the first step in effective application monitoring.

Portal 1: IP India eRegister (Primary Status Check Portal)

The IP India eRegister portal is available at ipindiaonline.gov.in/eregister/eregister.aspx. It is free, instant, and no login is required, beyond an OTP.

This is the authoritative portal for checking the current legal status of any trademark application or registration. Use this portal for your routine status checks.

URL: ipindiaonline.gov.in/eregister/eregister.aspx

Portal 2: IP India Public Search Portal

If you do not have the application number, use the Public Search portal to find it by searching your trademark name, applicant name, or agent name.

Use this portal to retrieve your application number if you have misplaced it, or to search for existing trademarks before filing a new application.

URL: search.ipindia.gov.in/tmrpublicsearch

Portal 3: IP India Main Website (Revamped in 2026)

In early 2026, the IP India website was revamped to provide users with a modernised portal for patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights, and geographical indications. Due to the revamp of the website, the process of checking the trademark status has changed from the earlier process.

The revamped IP India website at ipindia.gov.in now provides a unified dashboard from which you can navigate to all trademark services, including status checks, journal searches, and e-filing.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Trademark Status on the IP India Portal (2026)

Method 1: Via the Revamped IP India Website

Step 1: Visit the official, revamped portal of IP India at https://ipindia.gov.in/. Step 2: Once on the homepage, go to the dashboard and click on the “Trade Marks” section. Under this section, choose “Track Proceedings” and then click on the “Track Application Status” option. Step 3: You will be redirected to the IP India Trademark eRegister portal.

Step 4: Complete OTP Authentication

As of 2026, detailed record access uses OTP-based authentication. Enter any valid email address or mobile number to receive a one-time password. This OTP is session-specific and does not need to match the address on file with the Registry.

Enter the OTP received on your mobile or email to authenticate the session.

Step 5: Enter Application Number

Enter your 7 or 8-digit trademark application number in the search field and submit.

Step 6: Review the Status

The portal displays:

• Current application status (the key piece of information)
• Applicant name
• Trademark class
• Mark type (wordmark or device mark)
• Date of filing
• Date of most recent status change
• Any associated journal or hearing details

Method 2: Direct Access Via eRegister URL

Navigate directly to tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in/estatus and enter your application number. Enter your application number in the search field. The status displayed reflects the current stage of your application in the Registry’s processing pipeline. The status may be accompanied by a date indicating when the status was last updated.

💡 Practical Tip: How often you check the status of a trademark application should depend on what stage it is at. While the status shows “Marked for Exam,” checking every two to three weeks is sufficient. Once the status changes to “Objected,” check daily because the 30-day reply deadline runs from the date of the examination report, and every day counts.

Every Trademark Status Decoded: The Complete Guide

The IP India portal uses specific status codes. Each one has a precise legal meaning and a required action. Here is every status explained in detail.

Status 1: New Application

What it means: Your application has been successfully received by the Trade Marks Registry and assigned a unique application number. Your legal priority date starts from this moment.

You can now use the ™ symbol next to your brand name, signalling to the world that you have claimed ownership, even if the final certificate is months away.

Action required: None. Save your application number and acknowledgement receipt. Set up a monitoring reminder.

Status 2: Send to Vienna Codification

What it means: This status appears exclusively for device marks and composite marks, that is, marks containing a logo, symbol, or figurative element.

The Vienna Classification is an international system for classifying the figurative elements of trademarks established under the Vienna Agreement. When your application contains a device element, the Registry assigns it a Vienna Classification code before it proceeds to examination.

In 2026, the IP India portal has significantly upgraded its backend infrastructure with AI and machine learning algorithms. Previously, Vienna Codification was a purely manual process. AI-assisted Vienna Codification has reduced the time spent at this stage.

Action required: None. This is an internal Registry process. Wait for the status to update to Formalities Check Pass.

Status 3: Formalities Check Pass

What it means: Your application has cleared the administrative check. The Registry has verified your basic documents such as the Power of Attorney, User Affidavit (if applicable), and application form completeness.

It means the Registry has verified your basic documents and your application is in the queue for substantive examination.

Action required: None. Your application is now in the examination queue.

Status 4: Formalities Check Fail

What it means: Your application has failed the administrative check. A specific deficiency has been identified: a missing document, incorrect form, incomplete information, or unpaid fees.

Action required: Check the specific deficiency notice on the portal and rectify it immediately. Prolonged inaction after Formalities Check Fail can result in the application being treated as withdrawn.

⚠️ Warning: Formalities Check Fail is time-sensitive. Do not assume it will resolve itself. Contact your trademark agent or attorney immediately to identify and correct the deficiency.

Status 5: Marked for Exam

What it means: Your application has cleared formalities and is now in the queue waiting to be assigned to an examiner for substantive examination.

The examination queue currently runs 12 to 14 months as of early 2026, though this varies by class. A status that appears stuck between “Marked for Exam” and “Objected” is almost always sitting in the queue, not stalled due to a problem.

Action required: None. Wait. Check status every 2 to 4 weeks.

Accelerated Examination Option: Applicants who need to accelerate examination may file a request for expedited processing under Rule 34 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, using Form TM-M after receiving the official application number. The examination wait is reduced significantly, but the four-month opposition window remains statutory and cannot be shortened.

Status 6: Objected

What it means: The Examiner has completed substantive examination of your application and has raised objections. An Examination Report has been issued setting out the specific reasons why registration is opposed.

This is the most critical status in a trademark application. The 30-day clock starts from the date the Examination Report was issued, not the date you saw the status online.

Action required: Download the Examination Report immediately from the portal. Calculate your exact reply deadline (30 days from the date the report was issued). Engage your trademark attorney to draft and file a reply to the Examination Report through the MIS-R online reply mechanism.

Common grounds for objection:

• Section 9 (Absolute Grounds): The mark is descriptive, geographic, laudatory, or lacks distinctiveness
• Section 11 (Relative Grounds): The mark is similar to an existing registered mark

Consequence of missing the deadline: Missing a 30-day deadline for a reply results in your application being marked as “Abandoned,” effectively wasting your filing fees and leaving your brand name unprotected.

Status 7: Examination Report Issued

What it means: The Examination Report has been formally issued and dispatched. Treat this status identically to “Objected.” The 30-day reply deadline is running.

Action required: Same as “Objected.” Download the report, calculate the deadline, engage your attorney.

Status 8: Ready for Show Cause Hearing

What it means: Either you have requested a hearing instead of filing a written reply to the Examination Report, or the Examiner has called a hearing after reviewing your written reply and finding it insufficient.

Action required: Prepare for the hearing through your trademark attorney. Attend the hearing on the scheduled date. Hearings in 2026 are largely conducted via video conferencing.

Status 9: Accepted and Advertised

What it means: Your application has cleared the examination stage (either without objection, or after a successful reply or hearing) and has been published in the Trade Marks Journal for public notice.

A 4-month opposition window is now open. Any person or business that believes your trademark conflicts with their rights can file opposition during this period. If no opposition is filed, the status moves to “Registered.” You cannot use the ® symbol until registration, only ™.

Action required: Note the Trade Marks Journal number and date of advertisement from the portal. The 4-month opposition window runs from the date of advertisement in the Journal.

If your status shows “Accepted and Advertised” or “Advertised Before Accepted,” locate the journal number and verify the advertisement date and the four-month trademark opposition period runs from this date.

Monitor the opposition status during the 4-month window. If no opposition is filed, proceed to wait for the registration certificate.

Status 10: Advertised Before Accepted

What it means: In certain circumstances, the Registry advertises a mark in the Trade Marks Journal before formal acceptance. This is less common but follows the same opposition window rules as “Accepted and Advertised.”

Action required: Same as “Accepted and Advertised.” Monitor the opposition window.

Status 11: Opposed

What it means: A third party (a business or individual) has filed a Notice of Opposition against your mark during the 4-month opposition window.

A third party has filed a notice of opposition against your trademark during the 4-month opposition window. You must file a counter-statement within 2 months of receiving the opposition notice.

Action required: File a counter-statement through your trademark attorney within 2 months of receiving the opposition notice. This is a contested proceeding and requires detailed legal preparation.

⚠️ Warning: Do not ignore an opposition notice. Failure to file a counter-statement within the 2-month window results in your application being treated as abandoned, even if your mark is otherwise registrable.

Status 12: Registered

What it means: Your trademark has been successfully registered. The registration certificate is available for download from the portal.

If the status is Registered, a “View Registration Certificate” link appears at the top of the record.

Action required: Download and safely store your registration certificate. You may now use the ® symbol next to your trademark. Note the date of registration and set a renewal reminder for 9 years and 6 months from that date (to ensure renewal before the 10-year validity expires).

Status 13: Abandoned

What it means: The application has been abandoned due to failure to respond to an objection within the 30-day window, failure to file a counter-statement in opposition proceedings, failure to attend a hearing, or administrative withdrawal.

Action required: The application is dead. You cannot revive it. You must file a fresh trademark application, paying the filing fee again, and the new application will have a new, later priority date. Your brand may have been exposed during the abandonment period.

Status 14: Refused

What it means: The Registrar has refused registration after examination and hearing, finding the mark unregistrable on absolute or relative grounds that the applicant could not overcome.

Action required: An appeal against refusal can be filed before the appropriate High Court. Engage a trademark attorney immediately to assess the merits of an appeal and the timeline.

Status 15: Withdrawn

What it means: The applicant has voluntarily withdrawn the application.

Action required: None, unless withdrawn in error, in which case a fresh application must be filed.

Status 16: Renewed

What it means: The trademark was previously registered, completed its 10-year term, and has been successfully renewed for another 10-year period.

Action required: Download the renewal certificate. Note the new expiry date.

The Complete Trademark Status Flow Chart

New Application
       |
Vienna Codification (device marks only)
       |
Formalities Check Pass / Fail
       |
        (if Pass)
Marked for Exam (queue: 8-14 months currently)
       |
Examination
       |
       +---(no objection)--- Accepted and Advertised
       |
       +---(objection raised)--- Objected
                                       |
                              30-day reply window
                                       |
                         Reply filed --- Examiner reviews
                                               |
                              +---(satisfied)---> Accepted and Advertised
                              |
                              +---(not satisfied)---> Hearing
                                                          |
                                         +---(accepted)---> Accepted and Advertised
                                         |
                                         +---(refused)---> Refused
                                                                |
                                                         High Court Appeal
Accepted and Advertised
       |
4-month opposition window
       |
       +---(no opposition)---> Registered
       |
       +---(opposition filed)---> Opposed
                                       |
                              Counter-statement (2 months)
                                       |
                              Opposition proceedings
                                       |
                         +---(applicant succeeds)---> Registered
                         |
                         +---(opponent succeeds)---> Refused

How to Find Your Application Number If You Have Lost It

If you no longer have your application number, use the Public Search portal:

1. Go to search.ipindia.gov.in/tmrpublicsearch
2. Select “Wordmark” search type
3. Enter your trademark name in the search field
4. Select your trademark class from the dropdown
5. Use search type “Contains” to capture all matching results
6. Review the results and identify your application by applicant name, filing date, and class
7. Note the application number shown in the results
8. Use this number on the eRegister portal for detailed status

Alternatively, search by proprietor name (your name or your company name) or agent name (your trademark attorney or agent’s name) to find all applications filed by or for you.

Checking the Status of Someone Else’s Trademark

The IP India portal is publicly accessible. You can check the status of any trademark application or registration, not just your own.

Why you might need to check another party’s trademark:

• Conducting due diligence before adopting a brand name
• Monitoring a competitor’s trademark applications
• Checking the validity of a registered trademark before filing a challenge
• Verifying whether a cited mark in your Examination Report is still active
• Checking whether a mark you want to acquire or license is in good standing

The Public Search portal allows you to search by trademark name or proprietor name. The eRegister portal allows you to check the detailed status by application number.

💡 Practical Tip: If you are conducting due diligence before launching a new brand, search not just for identical marks but for phonetically similar marks across all relevant trademark classes. An “Accepted and Advertised” mark in a similar class with a similar name is as much a risk as a “Registered” mark.

Setting Up a Trademark Watch

Manual status checking is essential but not sufficient for brands with commercial significance. A trademark watch service continuously monitors new trademark filings and sends alerts when a mark similar to yours is filed.

Why trademark watching matters after registration: Once your trademark is registered, new applications that are similar to your mark may still be filed by competitors or third parties. Without active monitoring, you may miss the 4-month opposition window and lose the opportunity to challenge a confusingly similar mark before it is registered.

For businesses in competitive categories (technology, FMCG, apparel, food and beverages), a trademark watch is as important as the registration itself.

What Happens After Registration: Key Post-Registration Actions

Once your trademark is registered, four actions are essential:

1. Download and store the registration certificate The registration certificate is the primary evidence of your trademark rights. Download it from the portal (the “View Registration Certificate” link appears on the eRegister record once the status is “Registered”) and store it securely in both digital and physical form.

2. Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry and Flipkart Brand Registry A registered trademark unlocks Brand Registry on both platforms, giving you listing authority, anti-counterfeit tools, and protection against hijackers.

3. Set renewal reminder for Year 9 Trademark registration in India is valid for 10 years from the date of application. It can be renewed for successive 10-year periods. Renewal must be filed within the 10-year validity period (and can be filed up to 6 months before expiry). Missing the renewal deadline results in the mark being removed from the register, though restoration is possible within one year with a surcharge.

4. Begin using the ® symbol The ® (registered trademark) symbol may only be used after the registration certificate is issued. Using ® on an unregistered mark is a violation under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. Once registered, use ® consistently on all marketing materials, product packaging, and digital properties.

Common Scenarios: Trademark Status Check in Practice

Scenario 1: Status Stuck on “Marked for Exam” for 14 Months A Bengaluru founder filed a trademark application for a software brand in Class 42 in March 2025. By May 2026, the status still shows “Marked for Exam.” The founder checks the IP India queue tool and sees the application is at position 8,400 in the Class 42 examination queue. The attorney files a Form TM-M requesting expedited examination. Within 6 weeks, the status changes to “Objected” with an Examination Report citing a similar mark. The reply is filed within the 30-day window and the mark proceeds to advertisement.

Scenario 2: Missed the Objection Deadline A Mumbai retailer filed a trademark application in January 2025. The status changed to “Objected” in September 2025 but the retailer did not check the portal for 45 days. By the time the objection was noticed, the 30-day reply window had lapsed. The application was abandoned. The retailer filed a fresh application in December 2025 with a new priority date, paying the filing fee again, and lost 11 months of priority.

Scenario 3: Opposition Filed During the 4-Month Window A food brand’s trademark was Accepted and Advertised in the Trade Marks Journal in January 2026. In March 2026, a competitor filed a Notice of Opposition. The brand’s attorney received the opposition notice and filed a detailed counter-statement with evidence of prior use within the 2-month window. The opposition proceedings are underway.

Scenario 4: Checking a Competitor’s Trademark A Delhi startup wants to launch under a name that is similar to a mark it noticed in a competitor’s marketing. It searches the Public Search portal and finds the competitor has a trademark application in the same class. The application status is “Accepted and Advertised” with 3 weeks remaining in the 4-month opposition window. The startup’s attorney files an opposition citing the applicant’s own prior use. The opposition is now on record before the competitor’s mark registers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Checking your trademark registration status is not a one-time action. It is a discipline that must be maintained from the day of filing to the day the registration certificate is in your hand, and beyond through the 10-year validity period.

Trademark status is not just information. It is actionable intelligence. Each status code tells you where your application stands, whether you need to act, and how much time you have. The businesses that protect their brands successfully are the ones that monitor actively, respond to objections immediately, watch for opposition, and never let a deadline slip.

The tools are free, accessible, and take minutes to use. The cost of not using them, abandonment of a registrable mark, loss of priority, and an unprotected brand name, is measured in years and lakhs.

Check your status today. Set a reminder for next week. Never let a deadline catch you by surprise.

File. Monitor. Respond on time. That is how brands are protected in India.

Need Help With Trademark Registration or Status Monitoring?

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Anjali Pandey

Anjali is a Digital Marketing Expert at LegalTax.in who builds websites that rank and convert. She specializes in SEO-driven web development, helping people find the right legal help online.

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