Filing a trademark application is the starting line, not the finish. The journey from “New Application” to “Registered” passes through multiple stages-examination, possible objection, advertisement, possible opposition-each with its own deadline and action requirement. Missing a single deadline can result in your application being abandoned, and you’d have to start over with a fresh filing and fee.
This guide covers exactly how to check your trademark status on the IP India portal, what every status label means, what action you need to take at each stage, and the realistic timeline from filing to registration.For businesses that completed company registration and filed a trademark application, tracking the status is a critical IP management task.
How to Check Your Trademark Status: Step-by-Step
Method 1: eRegister Portal (If You Have the Application Number)
- Visit the eRegister portal: Go to ipindiaonline.gov.in/eregister/eregister.aspx (or tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in/estatus).
- Select “Trade Mark Application/Registered Mark”: Click on this option in the left panel.
- Choose “National IRDI Number”: This is where you enter your application number.
- Enter your application number and captcha: The application number is a 7-8 digit number (e.g., 6543210) assigned when you filed your application. Enter the captcha code shown on screen.
- Click “View”: The portal displays your current status, application details, class, proprietor name, filing date, and status history.
Method 2: Public Search (If You Don’t Have the Application Number)
- Visit the Public Search portal: Go to search.ipindia.gov.in/tmrpublicsearch.
- Search by trademark name, applicant name, or agent name: Enter the relevant details in the search fields.
- Locate your application in the search results: The results show application numbers, statuses, classes, and proprietor details.
- Note the application number and use Method 1 for detailed status.
Pro tip: Bookmark the eRegister URL and set a calendar reminder to check every 2 weeks. The portal does not send proactive email notifications for most status changes-you must check manually. Some trademark agents offer automated monitoring services that send WhatsApp or email alerts when the status changes.For businesses using professional accounting services that include IP management, the CA/CS firm should track trademark status as part of the compliance calendar.
Complete Status Dictionary: Every Status Explained
| # | Status | What It Means | Action Required | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Application | Application filed and received by Registry. Application number assigned. | None. Wait. | Low |
| 2 | Formalities Check Pass | Fee payment, applicant details, and trademark representation verified as complete. | None. Maintain evidence of use. | Low |
| 3 | Formalities Check Fail | Procedural deficiency: underpayment, incomplete details, wrong format. | Rectify deficiency immediately. | HIGH |
| 4 | Sent for Examination | Application forwarded to trademark examiner for review. | None. Wait. | Low |
| 5 | Marked for Exam | Application in examiner’s queue. Vienna codification (for logos) may have been completed. | None. Wait. | Low |
| 6 | Examined / Report Issued | Examiner has reviewed the application. Report issued-may contain objections or may be clean. | Check examination report on e-filing portal. | Medium |
| 7 | Objected | Examiner raised objections under Section 9 (absolute grounds: descriptive, non-distinctive) or Section 11 (relative grounds: conflict with existing mark). | File reply within 30 days (extendable by 30 days). Deadline is strict. | CRITICAL |
| 8 | Accepted | Examiner accepted the application-no objections raised, or objections resolved. | None. Wait for advertisement. | Low |
| 9 | Advertised Before Accepted (ABA) | Registrar ordered advertisement before formal acceptance-typically when strong evidence of commercial use is shown during hearing. | None. Monitor for opposition. | Medium |
| 10 | Accepted and Advertised | Trademark published in Trademark Journal. 4-month opposition window starts from publication date. | Monitor for opposition. No changes needed to application. | Medium |
| 11 | Opposed | Third party filed notice of opposition against your trademark during the 4-month window. | File counter-statement within 2 months. Engage trademark attorney. | CRITICAL |
| 12 | Ready for Show Cause Hearing | Examiner not satisfied with your objection reply. Hearing scheduled. | Prepare hearing note, evidence, attend virtual hearing on scheduled date. | CRITICAL |
| 13 | Registered | Trademark registered. Certificate available. ® symbol can be used. Valid for 10 years. | Download certificate. Monitor for rectification. Renew before 10-year expiry. | Low |
| 14 | Abandoned | Applicant failed to respond to objection/opposition within deadline. Application dead. | File fresh application (new fee). Cannot revive abandoned application. | N/A |
| 15 | Refused | Examiner/Registrar refused registration after hearing. Application dead. | Appeal to IPAB/High Court within 3 months. Or file fresh application with modifications. | HIGH |
| 16 | Removed | Trademark removed from register-non-use for 5+ consecutive years or non-renewal. | File for renewal (if within grace period) or file fresh application. | HIGH |
| 17 | Renewed | 10-year registration period renewed for another 10 years. | None. Next renewal due in 10 years. | Low |
Realistic Timeline: Filing to Registration
| Stage | Typical Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filing to Formalities Check | 1-7 days | Instant application number. Formalities verified within a week. |
| Formalities to Examination | 1-3 months | Depends on Registry workload. AI-driven examination in 2026 has shortened this. |
| Examination to Accepted (no objection) | 1-2 months | If examiner finds no issues, proceeds directly to acceptance. |
| Examination to Objected (if objection) | Immediate | Objection report issued. 30-day reply deadline starts. |
| Objection reply to Hearing (if needed) | 6-12 months | Hearing scheduled based on backlog. Virtual hearings have reduced delay. |
| Accepted to Advertised | 1-3 months | Published in Trademark Journal. |
| Advertisement period (opposition window) | 4 months | Fixed period. Cannot be shortened. Any person can file opposition. |
| Post-advertisement to Registered (no opposition) | 1-3 months | Certificate issued after opposition window closes. |
| TOTAL (no objection, no opposition) | 6-12 months | Best case: 6 months. Typical: 8-12 months. |
| TOTAL (with objection + hearing) | 12-24+ months | Depends on hearing scheduling and resolution. |
What to Do at Each Critical Stage
If Status is “Objected”
This is the highest-urgency status. The examiner has raised formal objections. Your actions:
- Download the examination report from the e-filing portal (not the eRegister status page-the report is on the e-filing portal).
- Identify the grounds of objection: Section 9 (absolute-descriptive, non-distinctive) or Section 11 (relative-conflict with existing mark). The report cites specific sections and, for relative grounds, the conflicting mark’s application/registration number.
- Prepare and file a reply within 30 days (extendable by 30 days with Form TM-56). The reply should address each objection with legal arguments, evidence of use (invoices, marketing materials, website screenshots), and distinctiveness arguments.
- If the objection is on relative grounds, check whether the cited conflicting mark is still active. If it has been abandoned, removed, or expired, submit evidence of this in your reply.
For businesses managing GST registration alongside trademark registration, GST invoices showing the trademark in commercial use are powerful evidence of distinctiveness.
If Status is “Accepted and Advertised”
Good news-your trademark has been published in the Trademark Journal. But the 4-month opposition window is now open. Your actions:
- Locate the journal number and publication date from the status page
- Monitor for opposition filings. Check status every 2 weeks during this period.
- If opposed: you will receive notice. File a counter-statement within 2 months. Engage a trademark attorney for opposition proceedings.
- If no opposition after 4 months: status moves to “Registered.”
If Status is “Abandoned”
This means you missed a deadline-most commonly the 30-day objection reply or the counter-statement in opposition. An abandoned application cannot be revived. You must file a fresh application with a new fee (Rs 4,500 for MSMEs/startups; Rs 9,000 for others per class). This is why regular status checking is critical.For businesses using income tax return filing alongside IP management, the trademark monitoring should be part of the same compliance calendar.
Fee Reference
| Item | Fee (per class) |
|---|---|
| Trademark application (MSME/startup/individual) | Rs 4,500 (e-filing) |
| Trademark application (others/companies) | Rs 9,000 (e-filing) |
| Reply to examination report | No separate fee (included in application) |
| Extension of time for reply (Form TM-56) | Rs 1,000 |
| Opposition filing (Form TM-5) | Rs 2,500 |
| Renewal (every 10 years) | Rs 5,000 (MSME) / Rs 10,000 (others) per class |
| Status check on portal | FREE |
Common Mistakes in Trademark Tracking
Mistake 1: Not checking status for months. The Objected status has a 30-day reply deadline. If you don’t check for 45 days, your application may already be abandoned. Set a bi-weekly reminder.
Mistake 2: Confusing eRegister status with the examination report. The eRegister shows the status label (e.g., “Objected”). The actual examination report with the objection details is on the e-filing portal. You need both.
Mistake 3: Not attending the show cause hearing. If you don’t attend (virtual or physical), the application is abandoned or refused. The hearing date is published on the Registry website. Check regularly.
Mistake 4: Assuming “Accepted and Advertised” means registered. It doesn’t. The 4-month opposition window is still open. You cannot use the ® symbol until the status shows “Registered.” You can only use ™ until then.
Mistake 5: Not renewing the trademark after 10 years. Trademark registration is valid for 10 years. If you don’t file for renewal (with fee) within the renewal window, the mark is removed from the register. Set a reminder for Year 9.For businesses using tax audit services, intangible assets (trademarks) should be reviewed for renewal status during the annual audit.
Key Takeaways
Trademark status checking is a free, instant process on the IP India eRegister portal (ipindiaonline.gov.in/eregister/eregister.aspx) using your application number. The status label tells you exactly where your application is in the 6-18 month journey from filing to registration. The 17 possible statuses range from “New Application” (wait) to “Registered” (celebrate) to “Abandoned” (start over).
The critical statuses that require action are: Objected (reply within 30 days), Ready for Show Cause Hearing (attend hearing), Opposed (counter-statement within 2 months), and Formalities Check Fail (rectify immediately). Missing any of these deadlines leads to abandonment-and abandonment is permanent. You cannot revive an abandoned application.
Check every 2-4 weeks. The portal does not send proactive notifications for most status changes. The cost of checking is zero. The cost of missing a deadline is a fresh application fee (Rs 4,500-9,000) plus 6-18 months of re-processing. Professional IP monitoring services or inclusion in your compliance calendar eliminates this risk entirely.
Don’t Miss a Trademark Deadline
Trademark registration is a 6-18 month process with multiple deadline-sensitive stages. A single missed 30-day reply window can abandon your application permanently. Regular status monitoring-bi-weekly checks on the IP India portal or professional monitoring services-ensures you never miss a critical action.
Explore our professional accounting services for trademark status monitoring, objection reply drafting, opposition representation, and integration with your compliance calendar.
For queries, reach out at +91 945 945 6700 or WhatsApp us directly.
