There is no government fee for attending a trademark show cause hearing in India. The costs are indirect: ₹900 (Form TM-M) if you need an adjournment, professional fees of ₹3,000–₹10,000 if an attorney appears for you, and — the largest cost of all — losing your mark and your original filing fee if the hearing goes badly. Hearings are now conducted by video conference, which has removed travel costs entirely.
Trademark Hearing Cost India 2026 — Show Cause Hearing Fees, Adjournments, and What Actually Happens
Guide by Legismith Partners LLP — IP India Registered Trademark Attorneys, Pune. Author: Amar Gite (TM Attorney No. 40506). Published July 2026.
A show cause hearing is scheduled when your reply to the examination report does not fully satisfy the examiner. It is your last chance to argue the application before the Registry decides to accept or refuse it. This guide covers every cost attached to the hearing stage — government, professional, and hidden — and what the hearing actually looks like in 2026.
Trademark Hearing Costs at a Glance
| Item | Government fee | Typical professional fee |
|---|---|---|
| Attending the show cause hearing | ₹0 | ₹3,000–₹10,000 per hearing |
| Adjournment request (Form TM-M, e-filing) | ₹900 | ₹500–₹1,500 if filed by attorney |
| Written submissions after hearing (if directed) | ₹0 | Often included in hearing fee |
| Power of attorney to appoint attorney (TM-M) | ₹900 (if not already on record) | Usually bundled |
Compare this with the earlier stages in our guides on trademark filing cost and objection reply cost — the hearing is the last and cheapest place to save the application, and the most expensive place to lose it.
How You End Up at a Hearing
- You file the application (TM-A) — ₹4,500 or ₹9,000 per class.
- The examination report raises objections under Section 9 and/or Section 11.
- You file a reply (₹0 government fee) within 30 days.
- If the examiner is not persuaded, the application status changes and a show cause hearing is listed before a hearing officer.
What Happens at the Hearing in 2026
Hearings are conducted by video conference through the Registry’s scheduling system. The hearing itself is short — typically 5 to 15 minutes. The hearing officer has your application, the examination report, and your written reply on screen. You (or your attorney) address the specific objections: distinguishing the cited marks for Section 11, or arguing distinctiveness with evidence for Section 9.
Three outcomes are possible: the application is accepted and proceeds to journal publication; the officer directs written submissions or further evidence; or the application is refused, after which the remedy is an appeal — a substantially costlier proceeding.
Adjournments — The ₹900 Cost Everyone Asks About
If you cannot attend the listed date, file Form TM-M requesting an adjournment before the hearing date — the e-filing fee is ₹900. Adjournments are limited; the Registry expects the matter to proceed after a couple of adjournments at most, and repeatedly seeking them risks the application being decided against you in absence. Simply not appearing, without a TM-M, is the worst option: the officer can refuse the application for non-prosecution.
DIY Hearing vs Attorney Appearance
You may appear yourself. Applicants who succeed unrepresented usually face a single, narrow objection. Where multiple marks are cited under Section 11, an attorney who regularly appears before the Registry knows which distinctions carry weight with hearing officers and which arguments have failed before. Given the professional fee of ₹3,000–₹10,000 against a brand you may have used for years, representation at this final stage is usually the highest-leverage money in the entire process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any fee for the trademark hearing itself?
No. The government charges nothing for the show cause hearing. You pay only if you file an adjournment request (₹900 via TM-M) or engage an attorney to appear.
How many adjournments can I take?
Each request costs ₹900 and the Registry’s tolerance is limited — treat two as the practical maximum. Beyond that you risk refusal for non-prosecution.
What if I miss my hearing date entirely?
The hearing officer can decide the application in your absence, which usually means refusal. If this has just happened to you, contact an attorney immediately — options narrow quickly. Send your application number via WhatsApp for an urgent free assessment.
What does it cost if the hearing fails?
Refusal means losing the original trademark filing cost and the brand’s registrability in that form. An appeal is possible but costs multiples of every fee discussed here — which is why the reply and hearing stages deserve real investment.
Hearing Listed? Get a Free Case Read Within 2 Business Hours
Send your application number and hearing notice on WhatsApp. We will tell you what the officer will focus on, your realistic chances, and a fixed fee for appearance.
🔆 WhatsApp Us Now — +91 8149123580
✉ Email: tm@legismith.com
Legismith Partners LLP — IP India Registered Trademark Attorneys | TM Attorney Santosh Sangle No. 33801 | TM Attorney Amar Gite No. 40506
Office No. 506 and 507, Sukhwani Boulevard Commerz, Pashan-Sus Road, Pune 411021, Maharashtra, India
Phone: +91 8149123580 | WhatsApp: +91 8149123580 | Email: tm@legismith.com | www.legismith.com
General guidance, not legal advice. Fee figures per Trade Marks Rules 2017 First Schedule (e-filing). For advice specific to your mark, consult a registered trademark attorney.
Also read:
Trademark filing cost in India 2026 |
Objection reply cost |
Can I reply to an objection myself? |
Trademark opposition cost India |
All trademark guides