India has become one of the most important places in the world to protect intellectual property. Patent and trademark filings have climbed sharply, the Patent Office has modernised its rules, and the government actively subsidises startups to file. For an Indian founder or a foreign company entering the market, the question is not whether to protect your IP here, but who should do it and how much it should cost.
A DPIIT-recognised startup in India pays roughly one-fifth of the standard patent fee, half the trademark fee, and, under the Startup India scheme, the government covers the professional facilitator's fee entirely. Protecting your IP in India is dramatically cheaper if you qualify, and many founders do not realise it.
This guide explains the two routes to filing, names the leading IP firms and online services, and sets out the actual government fees and rebates for 2026. The fee schedule and startup benefits are sourced from official Startup India material, linked at the foot of the page.
Key takeaways
- For complex patents, litigation and foreign filings: use a specialist IP firm such as Remfry & Sagar, Anand and Anand, K&S Partners or Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan.
- For a startup or small business trademark: an online filing service such as IndiaFilings, Vakilsearch or LegalWiz is fast and inexpensive.
- Startup India benefits are large: an 80% rebate on patent fees, a 50% rebate on trademark fees, government-funded attorney facilitators, and fast-track examination, all requiring DPIIT recognition.
- A patent must be filed through a registered patent agent (a professional with a science or engineering background), so patent filing, unlike a simple trademark, is not a pure do-it-yourself task.
Two ways to protect IP in India
The right provider depends entirely on what you are protecting and how contested it is likely to be.
- Specialist IP law firms handle complex patent drafting and prosecution, oppositions, litigation and the filings of large domestic and international clients. If your invention is technically complex, your brand is valuable enough to defend, or you are a foreign company filing into India, this is the route.
- Online filing services handle high-volume, standardised work, trademark registration, basic company and IP filings, at fixed, transparent prices. For a startup registering a brand or a small business protecting a logo, this is faster and far cheaper.
Many businesses use both over time: an online service for the first trademark, and a specialist firm once the stakes, or the litigation, grow.
The Startup India advantage
This is the section most founders wish they had read earlier. A startup recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is entitled to substantial IP support under the Startup India scheme.
- An 80% rebate on patent filing fees and a 50% rebate on trademark filing fees compared with large entities.
- Government-funded facilitators: the central government bears the professional fees of empanelled patent and trademark agents for a recognised startup, which pays only the statutory government fee.
- Fast-track examination: expedited processing that can cut a patent's timeline from three to five years down to one to two.
The catch is simple: you must obtain DPIIT recognition first. For an eligible startup, doing so before filing can turn a costly process into a nearly free one.
Leading IP law firms in India
| Firm | Heritage | Best known for |
|---|---|---|
| Remfry & Sagar | Established 1827 | Large patent and trademark portfolios, international clients |
| Anand and Anand | Founded 1923 | IP litigation and prosecution, a premier boutique |
| K&S Partners | Technical IP specialist | Technically deep patent prosecution |
| Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan | Full-service, IP and tax | Prosecution and cross-border enforcement at scale |
| DePenning & DePenning | Established 1856 | One of India's oldest IP practices |
| LexOrbis / Saikrishna & Associates | Full-service IP | Technology, media and enforcement |
Remfry & Sagar, tracing its origins to 1827, is one of the oldest IP firms in the world and manages some of the largest portfolios in India, with a particular strength in patent prosecution for international clients. Anand and Anand, founded in 1923, is a premier IP boutique renowned for cutting-edge patent and trademark litigation. K&S Partners pairs scientists and engineers with lawyers to keep its patent work technically rigorous, and Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan covers the full IP spectrum alongside a major tax practice, with deep strength in life sciences, technology and manufacturing. DePenning & DePenning is among the oldest Indian IP practices, and firms such as LexOrbis and Saikrishna & Associates are well regarded across technology, media and enforcement.
Online trademark and patent filing services
For startups and small businesses, a set of online legal services has made routine IP and business filings fast and affordable. Providers such as IndiaFilings, Vakilsearch and LegalWiz.in handle trademark registration, company incorporation and basic IP work at fixed, published prices, often bundling the professional and government fees into one clear quote. They are ideal for a first trademark, a straightforward filing, or a founder who wants a predictable cost rather than an hourly bill. For a technically complex patent or a contested matter, a specialist firm remains the right choice, but for everyday brand protection these services are hard to beat on price and speed.
What it costs: government fees and rebates
The figures below are the statutory government fees for 2026, reflecting the Patent Rules as amended through 2024. Professional or facilitator fees are separate, and are covered by the government for recognised startups.
| Filing | Startup / individual | Large entity |
|---|---|---|
| Patent application (Form 1) | ₹1,600 | ₹8,000 |
| Patent, filing to grant (approx.) | ~₹15,000 | ~₹55,000 |
| Trademark (per class) | ₹4,500 | ₹9,000 |
| Expedited patent examination | ₹8,000 | ₹60,000 |
The gap is deliberate policy: India wants startups and individual inventors to file. Between the reduced statutory fees and the government-funded facilitator, a DPIIT-recognised startup can protect an invention or a brand for a small fraction of what a large company pays.
How to choose
- Get DPIIT recognition first if you are an eligible startup. It unlocks every rebate below and is the highest-return step you can take before filing.
- Match the provider to the stakes: a specialist firm for complex patents, foreign filings and disputes; an online service for routine trademarks and small-business filings.
- Use a registered patent agent for any patent. Only a registered agent can draft and prosecute a patent on your behalf, and the quality of the drafting determines how strong your protection is.
- Think about enforcement early: a right you cannot afford to defend is worth less. For valuable brands and inventions, a firm with a strong litigation practice is worth the higher fee.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file a patent in India?
The government filing fee is ₹1,600 for a startup or individual and ₹8,000 for a large entity, with the total cost from filing to grant roughly ₹15,000 for startups and ₹55,000 for large entities. DPIIT-recognised startups also have their attorney facilitator fees covered by the government.
What are the best IP law firms in India?
Among the most highly regarded are Remfry & Sagar, Anand and Anand, K&S Partners, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, DePenning & DePenning, LexOrbis and Saikrishna & Associates, especially for complex patent prosecution, foreign filings and litigation.
Can I file a trademark in India myself?
Yes, a trademark can be filed directly or through an online service such as IndiaFilings or Vakilsearch, which is fast and affordable for startups and small businesses. A patent, however, must be filed through a registered patent agent.
What rebates do startups get on IP filing in India?
DPIIT-recognised startups receive an 80% rebate on patent fees and a 50% rebate on trademark fees, plus government-funded facilitator fees and fast-track examination. DPIIT recognition is required to access these benefits.
The bottom line
If you are an eligible startup, get DPIIT recognition first, then decide by stakes: an online service for a routine trademark, a specialist firm for complex patents, foreign filings and enforcement. India has made protecting IP unusually affordable for those who know how to use the system. To build your legal team, browse legal jobs in India and internships on LegalAlphabet, or explore roles worldwide on our jobs board.
Sources and further reading
- Startup India, intellectual property rights and the SIPP scheme.
- Chambers and Partners and IP STARS, intellectual property rankings for India.
- The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) for official fee schedules and forms.
Last reviewed July 2026. Government fees and rebates reflect the Patent Rules amended through 2024; confirm current fees with the CGPDTM and Startup India before filing.