Trademark Class 36: Financial, Banking, Insurance and Real Estate
Class 36 of the Nice Classification covers financial, monetary and banking services, insurance and real estate services. NBFCs, nidhi companies, fintech firms, insurance intermediaries and property agents in India usually file their brand in this class.
What class 36 covers
The official class heading reads: “Financial, monetary and banking services; insurance services; real estate services.” The explanatory note says it covers banking and other financial transactions, financial valuation, insurance and real estate activities.
Named examples include payments, financing and credit, crowdfunding, safe deposits, real estate agency, insurance underwriting, actuarial services, and brokerage of securities, insurance, real estate and carbon credits. India follows the current Nice edition, NCL 13-2026, in force since 1 January 2026.
Common services in class 36
Finance and lending
- Loans and credit
- Payment services and wallets
- Crowdfunding
- Pawnbrokerage
Insurance and investment
- Insurance underwriting and broking
- Actuarial services
- Securities and stock broking
- Financial research and valuation
Real estate
- Real estate agency
- Property management
- Rent collection
- Real estate appraisal
What is not in class 36
Some money-related services belong elsewhere. The usual mix-ups:
| Item | Where it goes |
|---|---|
| Administration of business transactions and financial records | Class 35 |
| Sponsorship search and promotion through sponsorship | Class 35 |
| Cash replenishment of ATMs | Class 39 |
| Freight and transport brokerage | Class 39 |
| Building construction | Class 37 |
| Quality evaluation of wool and standing timber | Class 42 |
Take a Haryana nidhi company that later launches a loan app. The lending brand sits in class 36, but the app needs its own class, so plan both before the launch.
Who usually files in class 36
NBFCs and nidhi companies
Lenders and mutual-benefit companies such as those set up through NBFC registration or nidhi company registration.
Fintech and payment firms
Lending apps, payment and wallet services, crowdfunding platforms and investment advisers.
Insurance and property businesses
Insurance brokers and agents, and real estate agencies and property managers.
Tips before filing
Keep regulatory licences separate
A trademark protects the name. It does not replace the RBI, SEBI or IRDAI approval your financial business may need. Run both tracks together.
Search for similar finance names
Many finance brands share words like “capital”, “fin” or “credit”. Search the IP India register first by word and by sound so you do not run into a crowded register.
Pick a distinctive word
Descriptive names such as “Easy Loans” are hard to register under Section 9(1)(b) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. A coined or unusual word is easier to protect.
Add Class 9 or 42 for apps
If your service runs through an app, the software is a separate class. We can cover that while filing the trademark application.
Frequently asked questions
Which class is an NBFC or nidhi company trademark in?
An NBFC or nidhi company files in class 36 for its lending, deposit and financial services. If it also offers a mobile app or online platform, it may add Class 9 for downloadable software or Class 42 for software provided online. One Form TM-A can cover all these classes, with the fee charged per class.
Can one application cover class 36 and class 9 together?
Yes. Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 allows a single application for several classes, but the government fee is charged for each class. So a brand filed in class 36 and class 9 pays two class fees on one Form TM-A. We will tell you which classes are worth the fee before we file.
Is a builder’s brand in class 36 or class 37?
It depends on the service. Building construction is in Class 37, while selling, leasing and managing property is real estate service in class 36. A developer that builds and also sells flats usually files in both classes. Architecture and plan drafting go to Class 42. We will suggest the classes that match what you do.
How long does a class 36 registration last?
A registered trademark lasts ten years and can be renewed every ten years after that without limit. Under Section 23(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 the registration counts from the date of application, and Section 25(1) sets the ten-year term. You can renew on Form TM-R up to one year before expiry, and even a missed renewal can be saved within the grace period, so the brand stays yours as long as you keep it alive.
What is the government fee for a class 36 trademark?
The government fee on Form TM-A is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 per class for others. Paper filing costs ₹5,000 and ₹10,000 respectively, so online filing is the cheaper route. Each extra class you add is charged at the same rate. Our professional fee is quoted separately before you commit, so you know the full cost before we start.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
The government fee on Form TM-A is ₹4,500 per class for individuals, startups and small enterprises filing online, and ₹9,000 per class for everyone else. Paper filing costs more (₹5,000 and ₹10,000). We file online.
Ready to begin?
Tell us your financial or property brand, and we will check class 36 and the classes it should sit beside.