Choosing the wrong trademark class is one of those mistakes that looks small at the time and becomes expensive later. You file a brand name, pay the fee, and only after the objection comes you realise the class didn’t actually cover what you sell.
This is why “trademark classes in India” is not just theory. It decides the scope of your protection and whether your trademark matches your real business. India follows the international Nice Classification system, which divides goods and services into 45 classes.
In this guide, I’ll keep it practical. You’ll learn how to select the right class using a simple method, see the most common class examples for modern businesses, and know when you should file in more than one class.
If you want BizSetups to do this professionally, we can also confirm your class selection, run a search, and file the application with the right scope so you don’t waste time later.
First understand what a trademark class actually does
A class does not decide whether your brand name is “good” or “bad”. It decides what products or services your brand name is protected for.
Two similar brand names can sometimes exist if they are in unrelated classes and there is no likelihood of confusion. But if your class selection is wrong or too narrow, you may still be exposed even after registration.
That’s why class selection should match your actual offerings today and your realistic expansion plan for the next 12–24 months.
The 45 trademark classes in India explained in one line
Here’s the simplest way to remember the system.
Classes 1 to 34 cover goods and classes 35 to 45 cover services under the Nice Classification framework.
So if you sell physical products, you’ll most likely be inside 1–34. If you offer services, you’ll most likely be inside 35–45. Many businesses do both, which is where multi-class filing becomes relevant.
The easiest method to pick the right class in 5 minutes
Use this quick 3-step rule. It works for most startups and small businesses.
Start by writing down your main revenue activity in one sentence. Not your brand story. Not your mission. Just what you sell.
Then choose the class based on the activity type.
If you sell products, your class is usually product-based (goods class). If you offer services, your class is usually service-based.
Finally, check the official class details list and match your product or service description closely. IP India provides class details that outline what each class covers.
If you’re stuck between two classes, it usually means you either need a more precise description or you should consider multi-class filing.
The classes that most businesses search for in 2026
You don’t need to memorise all 45 classes to make a correct decision. In real life, a few classes cover a huge chunk of modern business models.
Class 35 for business services and ecommerce support
Class 35 is one of the most commonly filed service classes because it broadly relates to advertising, business management, and retail or wholesale services.
If you run an ecommerce brand, a marketplace seller identity, a marketing agency, or you provide business support services, Class 35 often comes into the conversation.
But be careful. If you sell a physical product, you usually also need the product’s goods class. Class 35 can support the retail service side, but it doesn’t automatically protect the product category itself.
Class 41 for education and digital content brands
If you run coaching, training, workshops, online courses, or media education type services, Class 41 is commonly relevant. It often fits creators who monetise education, webinars, and training programs.
Class 42 for software and technology services
If you provide SaaS, app development, software design, IT services, web development, or technology consulting, Class 42 is frequently the core class.
This is where many founders make the biggest mistake. They assume “software” is a product class, but in many cases software services fall under Class 42 because you’re offering technology services and platforms.
If you’re a tech company, Class 42 is usually a key class to discuss early.
Class 43 for food businesses and hospitality
Restaurants, cafes, cloud kitchens, catering services, and hospitality service models commonly come under Class 43.
If you sell packaged food products, you may also need the food goods class (often Class 29 or 30 depending on what it is). The service side and product side are different.
Class 25 for clothing and fashion brands
If you sell clothing, footwear, or headgear, Class 25 is the classic goods class. Many D2C brands start here.
If you run a fashion label plus retail store services, you may later consider Class 35 as well depending on your brand strategy.
Why multi-class trademark filing matters more than you think
Many businesses are hybrid now.
A simple example is a cafe brand. The cafe service itself is usually Class 43, but packaged coffee beans or products may require a goods class. Another example is a tech education company: training may be Class 41 while software platform services may be Class 42.
In these cases, a single class filing may protect only part of your business. Multi-class filing can expand coverage, but it also increases cost and needs clean specification writing.
IP India’s forms and fee framework supports filing across classes depending on your application strategy.
A good rule is to file at least for the class that protects the activity you earn from today. Then expand if your brand is actively moving into another revenue stream soon.
How to avoid the most common class selection mistakes
Most class mistakes happen because people choose classes based on “what sounds close” instead of how the registry categorises it.
Another common issue is filing a broad-sounding class but describing goods/services incorrectly in the specification. That can trigger objections or leave you exposed.
Use this practical filter.
If you are a service business, don’t file only a goods class because you “might sell merchandise someday.” File the service class first. Merchandise can be a second filing later if and when it becomes real.
If you are a product business, don’t rely only on Class 35. Protect the product category in the appropriate goods class.
And if you’re not sure, check class headings and official class details before you finalise. WIPO publishes the Nice Classification and updates editions and versions over time, so the best practice is to refer to the current publication when you are unsure about edge cases.
A quick cheat sheet to help you decide faster
Think in “what do customers pay you for”.
If customers pay you for a service, pick the service class.
If customers pay you for a physical product, pick the product class.
If customers pay you for both, choose the core revenue first, then add the second class if it’s active now or planned immediately.
For very crowded brand names, class selection alone won’t save you. You still need a proper trademark search because similar marks in your relevant class are what typically create conflict.
Get your trademark class confirmed before you file
If you want to avoid filing in the wrong class, BizSetups can help with:
class selection, specification drafting, trademark search, and end-to-end filing support.
We serve clients across India, and you can also coordinate quickly with our BizSetups teams in Noida and Gurugram.
FAQ
1) How many trademark classes are there in India
India follows the Nice Classification system with 45 classes, where classes 1 to 34 are for goods and 35 to 45 are for services.
2) What is Class 35 used for
Class 35 commonly covers advertising and business-related services and is widely used by brands offering business support or retail service style activities.
3) Which trademark class is used for software and IT services
Software and technology service businesses commonly file under Class 42, depending on the nature of services offered.
4) Should I file in more than one class
If your business genuinely offers goods and services across different categories, multi-class filing can help widen protection, but it also increases cost and needs correct specification drafting.
5) Where can I verify class details officially
You can refer to official class details resources and the Nice Classification publication to confirm what each class covers.
6) Can trademark classes change over time
The Nice Classification is updated through editions and versions over time, so it’s smart to check the current publication when you are unsure about a specific item.
