Trademark Class List for Products and Services in India : Complete Guide to All 45 Classes

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Introduction

Every trademark application filed in India must specify the class or classes under which the mark is being registered. This is not an administrative formality. The class determines the scope of protection the trademark receives: a registration in one class generally does not prevent another party from registering an identical mark in an unrelated class for unrelated goods or services. Choosing the correct class, or classes, is therefore one of the most consequential decisions in the trademark filing process.

India follows the Nice Classification system, an internationally standardised system maintained under the Nice Agreement, which divides all goods and services into 45 classes: 34 classes covering goods (Classes 1 to 34) and 11 classes covering services (Classes 35 to 45). This system is used by trademark offices in most countries, which means that understanding the Nice Classification is also relevant for businesses considering international trademark protection in the future.

Many businesses, particularly those with diverse product or service offerings, file applications across multiple classes to ensure their brand is protected for all the categories of goods and services they offer or intend to offer. Filing in the wrong class, or in too narrow a set of classes, can leave significant gaps in protection that only become apparent when a conflict arises.

This guide provides a complete overview of all 45 trademark classes under the Nice Classification as applied in India, with practical guidance on identifying the classes relevant to common types of businesses.

For class identification and multi-class filing strategy as part of trademark registration, Legal tax assists businesses across all sectors in identifying the complete set of classes relevant to their current and future operations.

How the Nice Classification Works

Goods Classes and Services Classes

The 45 classes are divided into two broad groups. Classes 1 through 34 cover goods, meaning physical products. Classes 35 through 45 cover services, meaning activities performed for the benefit of others rather than physical products.

A business that both manufactures a physical product and provides services related to that product, such as a company that manufactures furniture (a goods class) and also offers interior design consultation services (a services class), would need to consider registration in both the relevant goods class and the relevant services class if both activities are part of the brand’s offering.

Class Headings Are General Indications, Not Exhaustive Lists

Each class has a general heading that broadly describes the type of goods or services it covers, but the actual scope of each class extends to a detailed list of specific goods or services maintained in the classification’s explanatory notes. When filing an application, the specific goods or services should be identified with reasonable precision rather than relying solely on the broad class heading, as overly broad or vague specifications can result in objections during examination.

One Application Can Cover Multiple Classes

A single trademark application in India can be filed across multiple classes, with the government fee charged per class. This allows a business to obtain protection for its mark across all relevant categories of its operations through a single application process, though each class is examined and can proceed to publication and registration somewhat independently in terms of any class-specific objections.

Goods Classes (Classes 1 to 34)

Class 1: Chemicals

Covers chemicals used in industry, science, and agriculture, including unprocessed artificial resins, fire-extinguishing compositions, chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs, and adhesives used in industry. Relevant for businesses manufacturing industrial chemicals, agricultural chemical products other than fungicides and pesticides, and chemical raw materials.

Class 2: Paints

Covers paints, varnishes, lacquers, preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood, colorants, dyes, inks for printing and for tattooing, and raw natural resins. Relevant for paint manufacturers, coating product businesses, and printing ink manufacturers.

Class 3: Cosmetics and Cleaning Preparations

Covers non-medicated cosmetics and toiletry preparations, non-medicated dentifrices, perfumery, essential oils, bleaching preparations, and cleaning, polishing, scouring, and abrasive preparations. This is one of the most commonly filed classes among consumer brands, relevant for cosmetics, skincare, haircare, perfume, soap, and cleaning product businesses.

Class 4: Lubricants and Fuels

Covers industrial oils and greases, lubricants, fuels, illuminants, and candles and wicks for lighting. Relevant for businesses in lubricant manufacturing, fuel distribution, and candle manufacturing.

Class 5: Pharmaceuticals

Covers pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations, sanitary preparations for medical purposes, dietetic food and substances adapted for medical use, food for babies, dietary supplements, plasters and materials for dressings, and preparations for destroying vermin, fungicides, and herbicides. Relevant for pharmaceutical manufacturers, nutraceutical and dietary supplement businesses, and medical device-adjacent product businesses.

Class 6: Common Metals and Hardware

Covers unwrought and partly wrought common metals and their alloys, metal building materials, transportable metal buildings, metal materials for railway tracks, non-electric cables and wires of common metal, ironmongery, small items of metal hardware, and pipes and tubes of metal. Relevant for metal manufacturing, hardware, and building material businesses.

Class 7: Machines and Machine Tools

Covers machines, machine tools, power-operated tools, motors and engines (except for land vehicles), machine coupling and transmission components, and agricultural implements other than hand-operated ones. Relevant for industrial machinery manufacturers, machine tool businesses, and agricultural equipment manufacturers.

Class 8: Hand Tools and Implements

Covers hand-operated tools and implements, cutlery, side arms (other than firearms), and razors. Relevant for hand tool manufacturers, kitchenware (cutlery) businesses, and personal grooming implement manufacturers.

Class 9: Scientific and Electronic Apparatus

Covers scientific, research, and laboratory apparatus, computer hardware and software, audiovisual and information technology and audiovisual equipment, blank and pre-recorded data carriers, mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus, cash registers, calculating devices, fire-extinguishing apparatus, and safety equipment. This is one of the most significant classes for technology, software, electronics, and consumer electronics businesses, and is the primary class for software products, mobile applications, and electronic devices.

Class 10: Medical Apparatus

Covers surgical, medical, dental, and veterinary apparatus and instruments, artificial limbs, eyes, and teeth, orthopaedic articles, and suture materials. Relevant for medical device manufacturers and healthcare equipment businesses.

Class 11: Apparatus for Lighting and Heating

Covers apparatus and installations for lighting, heating, cooling, steam generating, cooking, drying, ventilating, water supply, and sanitary purposes. Relevant for appliance manufacturers, particularly home appliances such as fans, water heaters, air conditioners, and lighting fixtures.

Class 12: Vehicles

Covers vehicles, apparatus for locomotion by land, air, or water. Relevant for automobile, two-wheeler, and vehicle component manufacturers, as well as businesses in transportation equipment.

Class 13: Firearms

Covers firearms, ammunition and projectiles, explosives, and fireworks. Relevant for businesses in the firearms and ammunition industry, subject to applicable regulatory requirements for such products in India.

Class 14: Jewellery

Covers precious metals and their alloys, jewellery, precious and semi-precious stones, horological and chronometric instruments (watches and clocks). Relevant for jewellery manufacturers and retailers, and watch businesses.

Class 15: Musical Instruments

Covers musical instruments, music stands, and cases for musical instruments. Relevant for musical instrument manufacturers and retailers.

Class 16: Paper Goods and Printed Matter

Covers paper and cardboard, printed matter, bookbinding material, photographs, stationery and office requisites (except furniture), adhesives for stationery or household purposes, drawing and painting materials, instructional and teaching materials, and plastic sheets and bags for packaging. Relevant for stationery, publishing, packaging material, and printing businesses.

Class 17: Rubber and Plastics

Covers unprocessed and semi-processed rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, and mica, and substitutes for these materials, plastics and resins in extruded form for use in manufacture, packing, stopping, and insulating materials, and flexible pipes and tubing. Relevant for raw material manufacturers in rubber and plastic industries and insulation product businesses.

Class 18: Leather Goods

Covers leather and imitations of leather, animal skins and hides, luggage and carrying bags, umbrellas and parasols, walking sticks, whips, harness, and saddlery. Relevant for leather goods, bag and luggage, and accessory manufacturers.

Class 19: Building Materials

Covers building materials (non-metallic), non-metallic rigid pipes for building, asphalt, pitch, tar, and bitumen, non-metallic transportable buildings, and monuments not of metal. Relevant for construction material manufacturers and suppliers.

Class 20: Furniture

Covers furniture, mirrors, picture frames, containers not of metal for storage or transport, and goods of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory substitutes, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum, and plastic substitutes for these materials. Relevant for furniture manufacturers and home decor businesses.

Class 21: Household and Kitchen Utensils

Covers household or kitchen utensils and containers, cookware and tableware (except forks, knives, and spoons), combs and sponges, brushes (except paintbrushes), glassware, porcelain, and earthenware. Relevant for kitchenware, home goods, and houseware businesses.

Class 22: Ropes and Textile Materials

Covers ropes, string, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks for storage and transport, padding and stuffing materials (except of rubber or plastics), and raw fibrous textile materials. Relevant for businesses dealing in industrial textile materials, ropes, and packaging sacks.

Class 23: Yarns and Threads

Covers yarns and threads for textile use. Relevant for yarn and thread manufacturers and textile industry suppliers.

Class 24: Textiles and Fabrics

Covers textiles and substitutes for textiles, household linen, and curtains of textile or plastic. Relevant for fabric manufacturers, home textile businesses including bedsheets and curtains, and textile trading businesses.

Class 25: Clothing, Footwear, and Headgear

Covers clothing, footwear, and headgear. This is one of the most heavily filed classes in India, relevant for apparel brands, footwear manufacturers and retailers, and headgear businesses across all categories from fashion to workwear.

Class 26: Lace and Embroidery

Covers lace, braid, and embroidery, and haberdashery ribbons and bows, buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles, and artificial flowers and hair decorations. Relevant for haberdashery, sewing accessories, and fashion accessory businesses.

Class 27: Carpets and Floor Coverings

Covers carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum, and other materials for covering existing floors, and wall hangings (non-textile). Relevant for flooring and carpet businesses.

Class 28: Games and Sporting Goods

Covers games, toys, and playthings, video game apparatus, gymnastic and sporting articles, and decorations for Christmas trees. Relevant for toy manufacturers, sporting goods businesses, and gaming equipment companies.

Class 29: Meat, Fish, and Processed Foods

Covers meat, fish, poultry, and game, meat extracts, preserved, frozen, dried, and cooked fruits and vegetables, jellies, jams, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy products, and edible oils and fats. Relevant for food processing businesses dealing in animal-derived and preserved food products, and dairy businesses.

Class 30: Coffee, Bakery, and Staple Foods

Covers coffee, tea, cocoa, and substitutes, rice, pasta and noodles, tapioca and sago, flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry, and confectionery, chocolate, ice cream, sugar, honey, yeast, baking powder, salt, mustard, vinegar, sauces, spices, and ice. Relevant for bakery, confectionery, beverage (tea, coffee), spice, and packaged staple food businesses.

Class 31: Agricultural Products and Live Animals

Covers raw and unprocessed agricultural, aquacultural, horticultural, and forestry products, raw and unprocessed grains and seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, natural plants and flowers, live animals, foodstuffs for animals, and malt. Relevant for agricultural produce businesses, seed companies, livestock businesses, and animal feed manufacturers.

Class 32: Beverages (Non-Alcoholic)

Covers beers, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral and aerated waters, fruit beverages and fruit juices, syrups and other preparations for making beverages. Relevant for beverage manufacturers including soft drinks, packaged water, and juice businesses, and beer manufacturers.

Class 33: Alcoholic Beverages

Covers alcoholic beverages, except beer, and alcoholic preparations for making beverages. Relevant for liquor and wine manufacturers and distributors, subject to applicable regulatory requirements for alcoholic beverages in India.

Class 34: Tobacco and Smokers’ Articles

Covers tobacco and tobacco substitutes, cigarettes and cigars, electronic cigarettes and vaporisers, and smokers’ articles, matches. Relevant for businesses in tobacco products and related accessories, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.

Services Classes (Classes 35 to 45)

Class 35: Advertising and Business Management

Covers advertising, business management, business administration, office functions, and a category that is highly significant for retail and e-commerce: the bringing together, for the benefit of others, of a variety of goods, enabling consumers to conveniently view and purchase those goods, which covers retail and wholesale services including online retail. This is one of the most important classes for e-commerce sellers, retailers, marketing agencies, business consultants, and any business whose core activity is bringing buyers and sellers together or managing business operations for others.

Class 36: Insurance and Financial Services

Covers insurance services, financial affairs, monetary affairs, and real estate affairs, including banking, investment services, financial sponsorship, and real estate brokerage and management. Relevant for banks, NBFCs, insurance companies, investment advisory businesses, fintech companies, and real estate agencies.

Class 37: Construction and Repair Services

Covers building construction, repair services, and installation services. Relevant for construction companies, contractors, repair and maintenance service providers, and installation service businesses across industries.

Class 38: Telecommunications

Covers telecommunications services, including broadcasting, providing access to databases and the internet, and message and image transmission. Relevant for telecom operators, internet service providers, and businesses providing communication platforms.

Class 39: Transport and Travel

Covers transport, packaging and storage of goods, and travel arrangement, including services related to logistics, freight, vehicle rental, and travel agencies. Relevant for logistics companies, courier and delivery services, travel agencies, and vehicle rental businesses.

Class 40: Material Treatment Services

Covers treatment of materials, including services such as custom manufacturing, recycling, energy production, and processing services performed on materials or objects on behalf of others. Relevant for businesses providing manufacturing, processing, or treatment services to other businesses on a contract basis.

Class 41: Education and Entertainment

Covers education, providing of training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities. This is a significant class for educational institutions, training providers, e-learning platforms, coaching centres, entertainment businesses, event management companies, and content creators providing educational or entertainment content.

Class 42: Scientific and Technological Services

Covers scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto, industrial analysis, research services, and design and development of computer hardware and software. This is the primary class for software development companies, IT services businesses, SaaS platforms, web development and design agencies, and technology consultancies. Many IT and digital services businesses register their primary trademark in this class.

Class 43: Food, Drink, and Accommodation Services

Covers services for providing food and drink, temporary accommodation. Relevant for restaurants, cafes, cloud kitchens, catering businesses, hotels, and other hospitality and accommodation providers.

Class 44: Medical and Veterinary Services

Covers medical services, veterinary services, hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals, and agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, and forestry services. Relevant for healthcare providers, clinics, hospitals, veterinary services, salons and spas, and agricultural service providers.

Class 45: Legal and Personal Services

Covers legal services, security services for the protection of property and individuals, and personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals. Relevant for law firms and legal service providers, security agencies, and personal service businesses such as matrimonial services, personal care assistance, and similar individual-facing services.

Identifying Classes for Common Business Types

E-commerce and Retail Businesses

E-commerce sellers and retailers, regardless of the specific products sold, should consider registration in Class 35 to cover the retail and online retail service aspect of the business, in addition to the class or classes corresponding to the specific products sold. A seller of clothing through an online store, for instance, would typically consider both Class 25 (the products themselves) and Class 35 (the retail service of bringing those products to consumers).

Software and IT Service Businesses

Software product companies typically register in Class 9, which covers downloadable and recorded software, and Class 42, which covers software development, design, and related technological services. A business that both sells a software product and provides custom development services to clients may consider both classes to cover each aspect of its offering.

Restaurants, Cafes, and Cloud Kitchens

Food service businesses primarily fall under Class 43, covering the service of providing food and drink. A restaurant that also sells packaged food products under its brand name for retail, such as packaged sauces or snacks, would additionally consider the relevant goods class for those products, such as Class 29 or Class 30 depending on the product.

Educational Institutions and Training Providers

Educational and training businesses primarily fall under Class 41, covering education and training services. An institution that also sells branded merchandise, study materials, or publications would additionally consider Class 16 for printed materials or other relevant goods classes for merchandise.

Manufacturing Businesses

Manufacturing businesses register in the goods class corresponding to their products, such as Class 25 for apparel manufacturers, Class 21 for kitchenware manufacturers, or Class 11 for appliance manufacturers. A manufacturer that also provides contract manufacturing services to other brands may additionally consider Class 40, which covers material treatment and processing services performed on behalf of others.

Professional Service Firms

Professional service firms such as law firms, accounting firms, and consultancies typically register in the class corresponding to their specific professional services, such as Class 45 for legal services or Class 35 for business consultancy and management advisory services, depending on the precise nature of services offered.

Practical Considerations When Selecting Classes

File for Current Operations and Reasonably Anticipated Expansion

While filing in every conceivable class is neither necessary nor cost-effective for most businesses, filing only for the precise scope of current operations can leave gaps if the business expands into adjacent categories within a relatively short period. A practical approach considers the classes relevant to current operations along with classes relevant to expansion that is reasonably anticipated based on the business’s actual plans, rather than purely speculative future possibilities.

Goods and Services Descriptions Within the Class

Beyond selecting the class itself, the specific description of goods or services within that class should accurately reflect what the business actually offers or intends to offer. A description that is too narrow may not cover related goods or services the business introduces later, while a description that is too broad relative to the business’s actual or genuinely intended activities can in some cases attract objections regarding the bona fide intention to use the mark for all the goods or services listed.

Reviewing Classes Periodically as the Business Evolves

As a business introduces new product lines, enters new service categories, or changes its business model, such as a manufacturer beginning to sell directly to consumers online, the classes covered by its existing trademark registrations should be reviewed against its current and planned activities, with additional class filings considered where gaps have emerged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The Nice Classification’s 45 classes provide the framework within which every trademark registration in India operates, and the classes selected for an application directly determine the scope of the legal protection the registration ultimately provides. A mark registered in the wrong class, or in too narrow a set of classes relative to the business’s actual operations, can leave a brand without protection precisely where it is most needed, while a mark registered across an appropriate and well-considered set of classes provides protection that genuinely reflects how the business operates and intends to grow.

Identifying the correct classes requires looking beyond the most obvious category for the core product or service, to consider the full range of goods and services the business offers, the retail or service delivery model through which those goods and services reach customers, and the directions in which the business is reasonably expected to expand.

Identify every class relevant to your current goods and services. Consider Class 35 if your business involves retail or bringing goods to consumers. Consider Class 42 if your business involves software or technology services. Plan for reasonably anticipated expansion. And review your class coverage periodically as your business evolves.

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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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