Use of Make in India Logo by Businesses in India — Permissible or Not?
Introduction
You see it everywhere — on product packaging, trade fair banners, factory signboards, and company websites. The iconic lion made of interlocking gears, the words “Make in India” boldly printed underneath. For businesses proud of manufacturing in India, it feels natural to display it. But should you? And more importantly — can you, legally?
The short and uncomfortable answer is: not without permission. And yet, thousands of businesses across India continue to use this logo without ever seeking the required government authorisation — unknowingly walking into a legal minefield.
This guide cuts through the confusion. Whether you are a startup founder, an MSME owner, an exporter, or a marketing manager — read this before you put that logo on anything.
⚡ Key Fact
The Make in India logo is a registered trademark owned exclusively by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Any use without permission is a violation of the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
Key Legal References
Governing Notification: F.No.: 5(46)/2014-BE-III, dated December 12, 2016
Trademark Owner: DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Application To: Joint Secretary (BE-III), DPIIT
What Is the Make in India Logo?
On September 25, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Make in India initiative — a flagship economic programme designed to transform India into a global manufacturing hub, attract foreign investment, foster innovation, and generate large-scale employment.
The logo launched alongside the initiative is not just a visual identity — it carries immense national and economic symbolism. It features a lion in motion, crafted entirely from interlocking cogs and gears, representing industrial strength, forward momentum, and the precision of modern manufacturing.
Inspired by the Ashoka Chakra, the lion emblem symbolises India’s resilience, pride, and ambition. The initiative — now operating across 27 key sectors including defence, automobiles, electronics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals — has made the logo one of the most recognised government brand marks in the country.
Did You Know?
The Make in India initiative focuses on 27 approved sectors. Permission to use the logo is only considered if your business operates within these approved sectors. The list includes defence, automobiles, aviation, biotechnology, chemicals, IT/BPM, leather, media, mining, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, ports, railways, renewable energy, roads, space, textile, thermal power, tourism, and wellness.
Legal Status: Who Actually Owns This Logo?
This is where most businesses make their first mistake — they assume that if they are “manufacturing in India,” the logo is theirs to use. This is categorically incorrect.
The Make in India logo and the “Make in India” wordmark are registered trademarks owned solely by the DPIIT. The intellectual property rights vest entirely with the Government of India, and no business — however large or however genuinely Indian — can appropriate this identity without formal authorisation.
Anyone using this intellectual property is required to acknowledge that DPIIT is the sole owner of the trademark, and must commit to not interfere with DPIIT’s rights, not misuse it, and not bring it into disrepute.
“The logo and related proprietary material are valuable national assets. DPIIT is the sole owner, and any permitted user acknowledges this unconditionally.”
— DPIIT Notification F.No.: 5(46)/2014-BE-III, December 12, 2016
Who Can Use the Make in India Logo?
The guidelines issued by DPIIT establish a clear, tiered system of permitted users. Understanding which category your use case falls into is the first and most critical step.
Category A — Permitted Without Prior Permission
A very narrow class of users may use the logo without seeking advance approval:
- DPIIT Offices & Officers: All establishments, offices, and officers of the DPIIT, Government of India, may use the logo for official purposes without seeking separate permission.
- Central & State Government: Ministries, Departments, State Government bodies, and UT Administrations may use it for DPIIT-sponsored programmes and official government publications.
- Indian Embassies Abroad: Indian Embassies and Missions abroad for events, brochures, and advertisements that promote the Make in India initiative and are sponsored by the Mission.
Category B — Permitted Only with Prior DPIIT Approval
For everyone else — including private businesses, MSMEs, startups, industry associations, media houses, and individuals — prior written permission from DPIIT is mandatory. The following types of use fall in this category:
Use Case | Permission Required? | Key Condition |
Events, trade fairs, seminars | Permission Required | Event must promote the MII initiative; consider exhibition space, delegate kits, DPIIT co-branding |
Publications (print/digital) | Permission Required | Publication must relate to an approved sector under Make in India |
Websites and online portals | Permission Required | Website/portal must relate to approved sectors; purpose must promote the initiative |
Electronic and broadcast media | Permission Required | Only for content that promotes the Make in India campaign |
Advertising / promotional material | Permission Required | Must align with MII objectives; cannot be used for generic brand promotion |
Individual or corporate branding | Permission Required | Considered on merit; must demonstrate genuine MII alignment |
MSME/Startup branding & GeM portal | Permission Required | DPIIT-registered MSMEs and startups may apply for use on government e-marketplace |
Product packaging | Prohibited (unless specifically approved) | Printing on product packs is not permitted unless DPIIT grants explicit approval for that product |
Selling, leasing, or transferring the logo | Strictly Prohibited | The logo cannot be sold, leased, or transferred to any other entity under any circumstances |
Critical Warning — Most Common Mistake
Using the Make in India logo on product packaging is one of the most prevalent unauthorised uses in India. Thousands of manufacturers display the logo on boxes, labels, and shrink wraps without ever seeking DPIIT approval. This is illegal, regardless of whether your product is genuinely made in India. Formal, explicit DPIIT approval is required for this specific use case.
How to Apply for Permission — Step-by-Step
The good news: the application process is not complicated. If your business genuinely aligns with the Make in India initiative, you can apply formally and obtain authorisation. Here is exactly how to do it.
- Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your business operates in one of the 27 approved sectors under Make in India and that your intended use directly promotes or aligns with the initiative’s goals — manufacturing, economic growth, or national industrial development. Being based in India alone is not sufficient.
- Prepare Your Application: Complete the application in the prescribed DPIIT format. The application must clearly describe the purpose of logo use, the context (event, publication, website, product, etc.), the duration of use, the target audience, and how the use promotes the Make in India initiative.
- Gather Supporting Documents: Attach relevant supporting documents — business registration certificate, GST registration, DPIIT startup/MSME recognition certificate (if applicable), details of the proposed design layout showing how the logo will be used, and any other supporting material DPIIT may require.
- Submit At Least 30 Days in Advance: All applications must reach the Joint Secretary (BE-III), DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, New Delhiat least 30 days before your intended date of use. This is a mandatory requirement — late submissions will not be considered.
- DPIIT Review and Approval: DPIIT reviews all applications on their individual merit. They may request additional information, sample designs, or proposed layouts before making a decision. Approval is discretionary and is not guaranteed. Upon approval, DPIIT issues an authorisation letter within approximately 30 days.
- Comply with Usage Guidelines Strictly: Once approved, you must use the logo only for the approved purpose, duration, and context specified in your permission. DPIIT reserves the right to review proposed design layouts before finalisation, to impose additional conditions, to time-limit the permission, and to withdraw it at any time with sufficient notice.
Important Note on Design Guidelines
DPIIT prescribes strict guidelines on how the logo must appear — including its size, colours, proportions, minimum clear space, and placement. You cannot modify, distort, recolour, or stylistically alter the logo in any way. The approved design must be used exactly as specified.
Penalties for Unauthorized Use — What's at Stake?
Many businesses assume that using a government initiative’s logo is a harmless act of patriotism. The law disagrees sharply. Unauthorised use of the Make in India logo is actionable under multiple statutes, and the consequences can be severe.
Legal Consequences of Unauthorized Use
- Cease-and-Desist Orders: DPIIT can issue immediate orders requiring you to stop all unauthorised use. Non-compliance escalates legal action significantly.
- Civil Damages under Trade Marks Act, 1999: The government can sue for damages, profits earned through infringement, and costs of legal proceedings.
- Criminal Prosecution (Section 103/104, Trade Marks Act): Willful or fraudulent use can attract imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years and fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000.
- Proposed Enhanced Penalties (2024–25): The Consumer Affairs Ministry has proposed raising fines to ₹1 lakh for first-time offenders and up to ₹5 lakh with 6 months imprisonment for repeat offenders.
- Business Licence Revocation: Significant or repeat infringement can lead to suspension or revocation of business licences and registrations.
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Displaying the logo falsely implies government endorsement — this constitutes misrepresentation to consumers and is actionable under consumer protection law.
- Reputational Damage: Public exposure of unauthorised use can cause irreparable brand damage, loss of consumer trust, and negative media coverage.
- Export Consequences: Using the logo on export consignments without approval can lead to consignment rejection and diplomatic branding concerns.
Why Is the Logo Widely Misused Despite the Rules?
Despite the clear legal framework, the Make in India logo appears on millions of products, websites, and banners across India that never received DPIIT permission. Several factors contribute to this widespread violation:
- Lack of awarenessis the primary driver. Most small manufacturers, traders, and even mid-size companies simply do not know that the logo requires government approval. The logo’s association with a national campaign creates the assumption that manufacturing in India grants automatic rights to display it.
- Weak enforcementis the secondary factor. Despite DPIIT holding broad enforcement powers, active monitoring of product packaging, e-commerce listings, and digital advertising has historically been limited. The government has acknowledged the need to establish a dedicated enforcement cell and more robust surveillance mechanisms.
- The cost of compliance vs. the perceived riskcreates a moral hazard. Until recently, the maximum statutory fine for misuse of government emblems was just ₹500 — a figure so nominal that it provided no deterrence. With the proposed enhancement of penalties to ₹1–5 lakh, this calculus is changing.
The Law Is Catching Up
With the Consumer Affairs Ministry proposing dramatically higher penalties and DPIIT increasingly aware of the scale of misuse, the enforcement environment is tightening. Businesses that have ignored compliance thus far should act now — the risk of enforcement is growing, not diminishing.
Special Considerations for MSMEs and Startups
The Make in India logo holds particular value for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and DPIIT-recognised startups. Displaying it authentically can signal quality, national origin, and government recognition — boosting credibility with domestic and global buyers.
DPIIT-registered MSMEs and startups are eligible to apply for permission to use the logo, including for display on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). However, eligibility does not confer automatic permission — a formal application is still required, and approval is granted case-by-case.
For MSMEs, the process is the same: apply to DPIIT in the prescribed format, at least 30 days before the intended use date, with full documentation of how the logo will be used and how your business contributes to the Make in India mission.
Several professional service providers now assist businesses in preparing their MII logo authorisation applications, ensuring that all documentation is complete and compliant.
Pro Tip for MSMEs
If you are a DPIIT-recognised startup or Udyam-registered MSME, mention this prominently in your application. It strengthens your case by demonstrating your formal standing within the government’s industrial ecosystem. Include your DPIIT recognition number and the sector in which you operate.
Conclusion — The Right Way to Wear the Lion
The Make in India lion is one of India’s most powerful brand symbols — a declaration to the world that Indian manufacturing is strong, ambitious, and capable. That is precisely why its integrity must be protected.
For businesses that genuinely operate within the Make in India ecosystem, the logo is a meaningful endorsement — and the path to using it legally is not difficult. Apply formally, apply early, align your usage with the campaign’s purpose, and follow the guidelines to the letter.
For businesses that have been using it without permission — the message is clear: the legal framework is tightening, enforcement is improving, and the proposed penalties are rising sharply. The right step is to apply for retroactive authorisation and cease unauthorised use immediately.
India’s manufacturing story deserves to be told with integrity. The Make in India logo is not just a marketing asset — it is a national trust symbol. Treat it accordingly.
Action Checklist
✔ If you currently display the logo without permission: remove it immediately and apply for authorisation.
✔ If you plan to use the logo: submit your DPIIT application at least 30 days before intended use.
✔ If approved: use the logo only for the approved purpose, duration, and context. Keep your permission letter on file.
✔ For professional assistance: consult a qualified IP attorney or authorised service provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use the Make in India logo on my company website?
Not without permission. Websites and online portals require prior DPIIT approval to display the Make in India logo. Your application must demonstrate that the website is related to an approved sector under Make in India and that displaying the logo promotes the initiative’s objectives — not merely your own brand.
2. My product is 100% manufactured in India. Can I use the logo on packaging?
No. Being manufactured in India does not automatically entitle you to use the logo on product packaging. Printing the Make in India logo on product packs or labels is prohibited unless DPIIT has granted specific, explicit approval for that product. You must apply and receive written permission before doing so.
3. What is the difference between the Make in India logo and the "Made in India" marking?
These are entirely different. “Made in India” or “Made in Bharat” as a country-of-origin marking is a factual declaration and is governed by separate labelling regulations. The Make in India logo — the lion-and-gears emblem with “Make in India” text — is a registered trademark of DPIIT and requires separate permission. You may use a “Made in India” country-of-origin label under applicable rules without this permission, but you cannot use the DPIIT logo without authorisation.
4. Can I use the Make in India logo on social media posts?
Using the logo on social media without permission is technically an unauthorised use of a registered trademark. If you are running a campaign or promotion that directly supports the Make in India initiative and wish to include the logo, you should apply for DPIIT permission in advance, specifying social media as the medium and providing details of the content and campaign.
5. What happens if someone complains about my unauthorised use?
DPIIT can initiate enforcement action, which may include a formal cease-and-desist notice. If you comply promptly and discontinue use, the consequences are typically limited. However, if you continue after receiving notice, or if the use is found to be willful and commercially deceptive, civil and criminal liability under the Trade Marks Act, 1999 can follow, including fines of ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh and/or imprisonment of 6 months to 3 years.
6. How long does DPIIT take to process a permission application?
DPIIT typically issues authorisation within approximately 30 days of receiving a complete, correctly submitted application. This is why the guidelines require applications to be submitted at least 30 days before the intended date of use. Incomplete applications or those requiring additional information may take longer.
7. Can my permission be cancelled after it is granted?
Yes. DPIIT reserves the right to withdraw permission at any time by giving sufficient notice. Permission may also be terminated if you violate the usage guidelines, engage in illegal or unethical practices, or if your business ceases to meet the eligibility criteria. Permission is non-transferable and cannot be passed to another entity.
8. Is there a fee for applying for Make in India logo permission?
There is no government filing fee for submitting a DPIIT logo permission application. The cost, if any, relates to professional assistance in preparing the application and accompanying documentation.
