a trademark application may be refused on many grounds, which are as follows:
If a trademark is not capable of distinguishing the goods or services of a person from those of another person
If it consists exclusively of marks or indications which may serve in trade to designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, values, geographical origin or the time of production of the goods or rendering of the service or other characteristics of the goods or service.
If it consists exclusively of marks or indications which have become customary in the current language or in the bonafide and established practices of the trade.
Also the following trademark may be refused if-
It is of such nature as to deceive the public or cause confusion.
It contains or comprises of any matter likely to hurt the religious susceptibilities of any class or section of the citizens of India.
It comprises or contains scandalous or obscene matter.
Also, if a trademark consists exclusively of the following, it may be rejected-
The shape of goods which results from the nature of the goods themselves, or
The shape of goods which is necessary to obtain a technical result, or
The shape which gives substantial value to the goods.