Geographical Indication (GI) tags are increasingly being used to protect India’s cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and local products by linking them to their geographical origin. GI protection helps prevent misuse, improves market recognition, and can strengthen the livelihoods of artisans, farmers, weavers and producer groups.
A Geographical Indication is a designation used for products originating from a specific geographical area, where a particular quality, reputation or characteristic of the product is essentially linked to its geographical origin.
Under Article 22(1) of the TRIPS Agreement, GIs identify goods whose quality, reputation or other characteristics are essentially attributable to their geographic origin.
GIs are recognised under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement.
India regulates GIs under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and the GI Rules, 2002. The Geographical Indications Registry administers registration and protection.
GI registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods. Under Section 27, registration can be cancelled, varied or rectified in specified circumstances, including where it is improperly obtained, misleading or legally non-compliant.
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025 reduced GI application and related fees by 80%, while the renewal fee was reduced from ₹3,000 to ₹500.
India has over 800 registered GI products, with 607 granted since 2014, while authorised users increased substantially to around 29,000 by January 2025.
Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are among the leading States in terms of GI-tagged products, according to the figures provided.
Darjeeling Tea was India’s first registered GI.
GI protection helps preserve traditional knowledge, indigenous craftsmanship and cultural heritage while assuring consumers about a product’s origin and authenticity.
By improving market visibility, bargaining power and access to premium markets, GI recognition can improve income opportunities for local producers, artisans, farmers and weavers.
GI recognition can improve international market access and price realisation for Indian products. For example, GI-tagged agricultural products are increasingly being promoted in overseas markets.
Government Measures to Strengthen the GI Ecosystem
PM Ekta Malls provide dedicated spaces for GI products, One District One Product (ODOP) items and handicrafts. The One Station One Product initiative enables artisans, farmers and producer groups to market regional products through railway stations.
GI products are increasingly being linked with cultural and heritage tourism, including initiatives such as weaving-village trails, tea-estate trails and silk tourism.
The MSME Innovative Scheme provides support for GI registration through its Intellectual Property Rights component, while the Development Commissioner for Handicrafts provides assistance for GI enforcement and legal expenses.
The National Handloom Development Programme supports GI-registered handloom products, while APEDA promotes GI-tagged agricultural products through quality improvement, infrastructure development, capacity building and overseas market promotion.
GI protection is increasingly becoming part of India’s trade negotiations, helping Indian GI products gain recognition and protection in foreign markets.
Way Forward
India needs to strengthen authorised-user registration, quality control, enforcement against misuse, digital marketing, tourism integration and export promotion. A stronger GI ecosystem can transform traditional products from local commodities into globally recognised premium brands.
GI tags are not merely intellectual property instruments; they can serve as tools of cultural preservation, rural development, livelihood generation and export-led growth by connecting the identity and economic value of a product directly to its place of origin.
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Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
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