Trademark Class Search in India: How to Choose the Right Class Before Filing

Under Section 7 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, goods and services are classified broadly in accordance with the international classification system. Rule 20 of the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 specifically requires use of the current edition of the Nice Classification published by WIPO. ([IP India][1])

For 2026, WIPO's 13th edition, version 2026 of the Nice Classification came into force on 1 January 2026. ([WIPO][2])

What Is a Trademark Class?

A trademark class is a category used to organise different types of goods and services for trademark registration.

There are 45 classes in total

• Classes 1 to 34: Goods
• Classes 35 to 45: Services

IP India also explains that trademarks are registered for specific goods or services and that choosing the correct class and describing those goods or services accurately is important for effective protection. ([IP India][3])

For example

• Class 25 broadly covers clothing, footwear and headgear.
• Class 35 includes various advertising and business-related services.
• Class 41 covers areas such as education, training and entertainment services.
• Class 42 covers various scientific and technological services.

The correct class depends on what your business actually sells or provides, not simply on the name of the business.

Why Is Trademark Class Search Important?

Trademark registration does not automatically give identical protection across all 45 classes.

If a business chooses the wrong class, the application may not properly cover the goods or services for which the brand is actually being used.

A Trademark Class Search therefore helps you

• Identify the correct class before filing
• Draft the goods/services description properly
• Decide whether more than one class is required
• Search for similar trademarks in the relevant field
• Avoid paying for unnecessary classes
• Build a more appropriate trademark filing strategy

How to Find the Correct Trademark Class

1. Identify What You Actually Offer

Start with a simple list of your products and services.

Do not write only “fashion business,” “IT company” or “food business.” Be more specific.

For example

• Clothing
• Online retail services
• Software development
• Restaurant services
• Packaged food products

This makes class selection much easier.

2. Check the Nice Classification

The Trade Marks Rules require goods and services to follow the current Nice Classification. ([IP India][4])

Search the relevant product or service descriptions instead of guessing from the class number.

3. Check Whether Multiple Classes Apply

A single business may need more than one class.

For example, a company may sell its own clothing products and also operate an online retail store. The underlying goods and retail service may involve different trademark classes.

This does not mean every business needs several classes. The classes should reflect the goods and services that are genuinely relevant to the application.

4. Search Similar Trademarks in the Relevant Class

Once the likely class has been identified, conduct a trademark availability search for identical and similar marks.

Remember that class search and trademark search are not the same thing

• Class Search: identifies where your goods/services belong.
• Trademark Search: checks earlier identical or similar trademarks.

Both should ideally be considered before filing.

Common Trademark Classes Used by Businesses

Some frequently encountered examples include

These are only general examples. The exact specification should be checked against the current classification applicable to the particular goods or services. ([IP India][3])

Trademark Filing Fees and Classes

Trademark application fees are important because the official fee is calculated for each class and each mark.

For Form TM-A, IP India's current fee schedule provides: ([IP India][5])

So, if a trademark genuinely needs protection in multiple classes, the applicable filing fee increases accordingly.

This is another reason why class selection should be based on the business requirement rather than choosing classes unnecessarily.

Practical Example

Suppose Aarav launches a clothing brand.

If he manufactures or sells clothing under the brand, Class 25 may be relevant for the clothing goods.

However, if the same business also provides retail or online marketplace-related services, another service class may need consideration depending on the exact nature of those activities.

The right approach is therefore not simply

“Clothing business = choose one class and file.”

Instead, list the actual goods and services first, identify the corresponding classes and then conduct the trademark search in those relevant areas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Businesses should avoid

• Selecting a class only from a Google search without checking official classification
• Confusing a trademark class search with a trademark availability search
• Filing in an unrelated class
• Adding several unnecessary classes “just to be safe”
• Using a vague or inaccurate goods/services description
• Ignoring additional services offered under the same brand
• Assuming one registration automatically covers every business activity

Why Choose Kar Sathi?

Choosing the correct trademark class can look simple, but businesses often operate across more than one activity.

Kar Sathi can assist with reviewing your business activities, identifying potentially relevant trademark classes, carrying out a trademark search and helping prepare the appropriate specification before filing.

The aim is to make the application reflect the brand's actual goods and services rather than filing under a class based only on guesswork.

You can also link this guide with your Trademark Registration, Trademark Objection Reply and Trademark Renewal articles for readers who want to understand the complete registration process.

Conclusion

A proper Trademark Class Search should be completed before filing a trademark application.

Start by clearly identifying your goods and services, check them against the current Nice Classification, determine whether one or multiple classes are genuinely required and then search for earlier trademarks in the relevant classes.

Choosing the right class at the beginning can make your trademark application clearer, more relevant and easier to manage.

Need help with Trademark Class Search? Share your business activity or brand details with Kar Sathi for professional assistance before filing.

Official References

IP India — Trade Marks Act, 1999. [Trade Marks Act, 1999](https://ipindia.gov.in/tm-act-1999?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

IP India — Trade Marks Rules, 2017. [Trade Marks Rules, 2017](https://ipindia.gov.in/tm-rules-2017?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

IP India — Forms & Official Fees. [Forms & Official Fees](https://ipindia.gov.in/pages/trade-marks/learn/forms-and-official-fees?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

WIPO — Nice Classification. [Nice Classification](https://www.wipo.int/classifications/nice/en/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

[1]: https://ipindia.gov.in/tm-act-1999?utm_source=chatgpt.com "TM Act 1999"

[2]: https://www.wipo.int/nice/its4nice/ITSupport_and_download_area/20260101/revision_files/ncl-20260101-EF-information.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "NICE CLASSIFICATION, 13TH EDITION, VERSION 2026 – NCL(13-2026)"

[3]: https://ipindia.gov.in/basics-of-trademarks?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Basics of Trademarks"

[4]: https://ipindia.gov.in/tm-rules-2017?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Trade Marks Rules, 2017"

[5]: https://ipindia.gov.in/pages/trade-marks/learn/forms-and-official-fees?utm_source=chatgpt.com "IP India - Intellectual Property India | Government of India"