NICE Classification India: All 45 Classes Explained
All 45 NICE classes used by the Indian Trade Marks Registry, with a short scope note for each, the multi-class TM-A fee, and a simple way to pick the right class. Last verified October 2026.
Explainer · Reference · Trademark Classes
Pick the wrong trademark class and your mark may be registered, but not for the goods or services you actually sell. That gap shows up later, when someone copies your brand in the class you skipped. This page lists all 45 NICE classes (1 to 34 are goods, 35 to 45 are services) with a plain scope note for each, explains the multi-class TM-A fee, and gives a short guide to choosing your class. Last verified October 2026.
- 45 classes: 1 to 34 are goods, 35 to 45 are services.
- Edition in force: NCL(13-2026), from 1 January 2026.
- TM-A fee: charged per class. E-filing is Rs 4,500 per class for individuals, start-ups and small enterprises, and Rs 9,000 for others.
- Rule of thumb: list what you sell now and soon, map each item to a class, and add related classes such as 35 for retail.
- Last verified: October 2026.
01Why the class matters
A trademark in India is registered for specific goods or services, grouped into classes. Your protection is tied to those classes. A bakery that files only in Class 30 (bread and snacks) has no registration for its cafe services in Class 43.
Three common mistakes
- Filing in one class only when the business sells across several, such as clothing (25) and an online store (35).
- Mixing up goods and services. Selling software is Class 9 (downloadable) or Class 42 (software as a service). The two are not the same.
- Using vague wording in the specification, which can be objected to or can leave your real products outside the claim.
Fixing a class mistake after filing is hard. You usually need a fresh application, so it is cheaper to get it right the first time.
02How NICE works in India
The Nice Classification is an international system run by WIPO. India uses it for trademarks under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017 (Rule 20 deals with classification). It has 45 classes: 34 for goods and 11 for services.
The current edition is NCL(13-2026), in force from 1 January 2026. It is the 13th edition of the classification. WIPO published it ahead of time, and it applies to new applications filed from that date. Applications filed before 1 January 2026 are examined under the earlier edition, so older registrations are not reclassified automatically.
Reported changes in the 13th edition include clearer treatment of AI-related services in Class 42 and some goods moving between classes. Before you file, check the current edition for your exact product. The official WIPO Nice tool is free.
03All 45 NICE classes with scope notes
Classes 1 to 34 cover goods. Classes 35 to 45 cover services. The scope notes below are short summaries, not the official class headings. For the exact wording, use the official WIPO list.
| Class | Short title | Scope note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (goods) | Chemicals | Industrial and scientific chemicals, fertilisers, resins, adhesives for industry |
| 2 (goods) | Paints | Paints, varnishes, lacquers, colourants, inks for printing |
| 3 (goods) | Cosmetics and cleaning | Soaps, perfumes, cosmetics, hair care, cleaning preparations |
| 4 (goods) | Oils and fuels | Industrial oils, lubricants, candles, fuels |
| 5 (goods) | Pharma and hygiene | Medicines, supplements, medical dressings, disinfectants |
| 6 (goods) | Common metals | Metal goods, ores, hardware, cables and wires (non-electric) |
| 7 (goods) | Machines | Machines, machine tools, motors, engines (not for land vehicles) |
| 8 (goods) | Hand tools | Hand-operated tools, cutlery, razors, side arms |
| 9 (goods) | Electronics and software | Computers, downloadable software and apps, phones, cameras, scientific apparatus |
| 10 (goods) | Medical apparatus | Surgical and medical instruments, dental devices, prosthetics |
| 11 (goods) | Lighting, heating, cooling | Lamps, heaters, refrigerators, cooking appliances, sanitary installations |
| 12 (goods) | Vehicles | Cars, bikes, cycles, boats, aircraft and their parts |
| 13 (goods) | Firearms | Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks |
| 14 (goods) | Jewellery | Precious metals, jewellery, watches, clocks |
| 15 (goods) | Musical instruments | Instruments, music stands, batons |
| 16 (goods) | Paper and stationery | Paper, cardboard, printed matter, books, office and art supplies |
| 17 (goods) | Rubber and plastics | Rubber, plastics in extruded form, insulating and packing materials |
| 18 (goods) | Leather goods | Leather, bags, wallets, umbrellas, animal harnesses |
| 19 (goods) | Building materials | Non-metallic building materials, cement, tiles, timber |
| 20 (goods) | Furniture | Furniture, mirrors, frames, mattresses |
| 21 (goods) | Household utensils | Kitchen and household utensils, glassware, brushes, cosmetic tools |
| 22 (goods) | Ropes and tents | Ropes, nets, tents, sacks, raw fibre materials |
| 23 (goods) | Yarns and threads | Yarns and threads for textile use |
| 24 (goods) | Fabrics | Textiles, bed and table covers, fabric for household use |
| 25 (goods) | Clothing | Clothing, footwear, headgear |
| 26 (goods) | Lace and haberdashery | Lace, embroidery, buttons, hooks, artificial flowers |
| 27 (goods) | Floor coverings | Carpets, rugs, mats, wall hangings (non-textile) |
| 28 (goods) | Toys and sports | Games, toys, gymnastic and sporting articles |
| 29 (goods) | Meat, dairy, preserved foods | Meat, fish, dairy, edible oils, preserved fruit and vegetables |
| 30 (goods) | Staple foods | Tea, coffee, rice, flour, bread, sugar, spices, snacks, sauces |
| 31 (goods) | Fresh produce | Raw agricultural products, live animals, fresh fruit, seeds, plants |
| 32 (goods) | Beers and soft drinks | Beers, mineral water, aerated water, fruit juices |
| 33 (goods) | Alcoholic drinks | Alcoholic beverages except beers |
| 34 (goods) | Tobacco | Tobacco, smokers articles, matches |
| 35 (services) | Advertising and business | Advertising, business management, retail and online store services |
| 36 (services) | Finance and insurance | Insurance, banking, real estate, payment and fintech services |
| 37 (services) | Construction and repair | Building construction, repair, installation services |
| 38 (services) | Telecommunications | Telecom, messaging, streaming transmission, broadcasting |
| 39 (services) | Transport and storage | Transport, travel arrangement, packaging and storage of goods |
| 40 (services) | Treatment of materials | Custom manufacturing, printing, recycling, material processing |
| 41 (services) | Education and entertainment | Teaching, training, publishing, sports, cultural and entertainment activities |
| 42 (services) | Tech and science services | Software as a service, IT, design, scientific research, AI services |
| 43 (services) | Food and lodging | Restaurants, cafes, hotels, catering, temporary accommodation |
| 44 (services) | Medical and beauty | Medical, veterinary, hygiene and beauty care, agriculture services |
| 45 (services) | Legal and personal | Legal services, security services, personal and social services |
Reading the table
A product can sit in an unexpected class. Cooking appliances are in 11, but the food you cook is in 29 to 31. Always check the specific item, not just the industry.
04The multi-class fee (Form TM-A)
Form TM-A is the application for registration of a trademark. One TM-A can cover more than one class, but the official fee is charged per class.
- E-filing, individuals, start-ups and small enterprises: Rs 4,500 per class.
- E-filing, all other applicants: Rs 9,000 per class.
- Physical filing: Rs 5,000 per class for individuals, start-ups and small enterprises, and Rs 10,000 per class for others.
So a company filing one mark in three classes online pays Rs 27,000 in official fees (3 x Rs 9,000). An individual filing the same online pays Rs 13,500. These are government fees and do not include professional charges.
05How to pick the right class
- List what you sell today and what you plan to sell in two years. Write goods and services separately.
- Match each item to a class using the table above, then confirm it in the WIPO Nice tool or the IP India goods and services finder.
- Add related classes. A shop usually needs the goods class plus Class 35 for retail. A restaurant brand with packaged food may need 43 and 30.
- Use clear wording. Name the real products, for example "cotton shirts" rather than "textile items".
- Weigh cost against risk. Each extra class adds a fee, so rank the classes by how much a copycat would hurt you.
Before filing, run a search to see whether a similar mark already exists in your classes. If you also work on designs, the sister system is covered in Locarno classification for designs, and for keeping a design alive see design renewal and restoration.
06Where Claw fits
Claw is an all-in-one legaltech platform for Indian advocates, law firms, and corporate legal teams, combining AI-based case search, an AI legal assistant (Legal GPT), case management, and compliance automation across all Indian courts and tribunals.
The class decides what your mark protects; the courts decide what happens when it is copied. Claw tracks cases, orders and hearings across 9,102 courts, benches and forums, searches 30 crore+ judgments with Supreme Court records from 1950 and High Courts from 1990, and returns results in under 5 seconds, so you can see how courts have handled infringement and passing off for marks in your classes. Claw does not use customer documents to train AI models.
Create a FREE Claw account to track trade mark disputes and the judgments behind them. To search the wider body of law, see case search across Indian courts.
07Sources and further reading
Check classes and fees against the primary sources before you file:
- WIPO Nice Classification (official class lists and edition notices): wipo.int
- IP India (Trade Marks Registry, forms and fee schedule): ipindia.gov.in
- Claw: clawlaw.in
This page is general information, not legal advice. Last verified October 2026.
08Frequently asked questions
How many trademark classes are there in India?
There are 45 classes under the Nice Classification used in India. Classes 1 to 34 are for goods and classes 35 to 45 are for services.
Which edition of the Nice Classification is in force in India?
NCL(13-2026), the 13th edition, has been in force from 1 January 2026. Applications filed before that date are examined under the earlier edition.
Can I file one trademark application for several classes?
Yes. One Form TM-A can cover more than one class, but the official fee is paid for each class.
How much is the TM-A fee per class?
For e-filing it is Rs 4,500 per class for individuals, start-ups and small enterprises, and Rs 9,000 per class for other applicants. Physical filing costs more. Check the current schedule on the IP India website.
Which class is software in?
Downloadable software and apps fall in Class 9. Software as a service and IT services fall in Class 42. Many businesses need both.
Do I need Class 35 for an online store?
Retail and online store services are in Class 35. If you sell your own branded goods, you usually file in the goods class and often in Class 35 as well.