What is a Geographical Indication (GI)?
A Geographical Indication (GI) is a designation applied to products originating from a specific geographical area, indicating that the qualities or reputation of the products are inherently linked to that particular origin.
Definition under International Law
Article 22(1) of TRIPS defines GIs as: "indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic origin."
International Legal Framework
- Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
- WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
Indian GI Framework
Legal Framework
| Legislation | Year |
|---|---|
| Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act | 1999 |
| Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules | 2002 |
Key Administrative Features
- Registry: The Geographical Indications Registry administers GI registration and protection in India
- Validity: GI registration is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for successive 10-year periods
- Cancellation: Under Section 27, registration may be cancelled, varied or rectified if improperly obtained, misleading, generic or legally non-compliant
Recent Amendment: 2025
- Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) (Amendment) Rules, 2025:
- Reduced GI application and related fees by 80%
- Lowered renewal fee from ₹3,000 to ₹500
Registration Growth in India
Statistics (As of January 2025)
- Total registered GI products: Over 800
- GI products granted since 2014: 607
- Authorized users: Rose from 365 to approximately 29,000
Leading States (December 2025)
| State | Number of GI Products |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | 81 |
| Tamil Nadu | 76 |
| Maharashtra | 55 |
First Registrations
- Darjeeling Tea (West Bengal) – India's first registered GI
- Aranmula Kannadi (Kerala)
- Pochampally Ikat (Telangana)
Significance of GI Tags
Heritage and Authenticity
- Preserves traditional knowledge and indigenous craftsmanship
- Assures consumers of a product's origin, quality and cultural value
- Prevents misuse and imitation
Economic Benefits
- Income gains: Artisans' incomes can rise by 20-30%
- Greater visibility and bargaining power
- Access to premium markets
- Creates sustainable rural livelihoods
Export Promotion
- Improves global market access
- Example: Export of 30 metric tonnes of Muzaffarnagar jaggery to Bangladesh in 2025, benefiting 545 farmer-members
Government Initiatives Strengthening GI Ecosystem
PM Ekta Malls
- Dedicated retail spaces for GI-tagged products, ODOP items and handicrafts
- Government allocated ₹5,000 crore for establishing these malls across States
One Station One Product
- Dedicated railway stalls enable artisans, farmers, weavers and producer groups to directly market regional crafts
GI-Based Tourism
- Integration of GI clusters into tourism through:
- Weaving-village trails
- Tea-estate trails
- Assam's initiatives: Muga Silk Trail, Silk Tourism Park, Muga Utsav
MSME Innovative Scheme
- Intellectual Property Rights component
- Reimburses up to 100% of GI-registration expenses
- Maximum limit: ₹2 lakh per registered GI
Legal and Financial Assistance
- Development Commissioner for Handicrafts provides up to ₹1.5 lakh for:
- GI enforcement
- Related legal expenses
- Registration support
- Institutional training
Handloom Promotion (As of June 2026)
- 104 GI-registered handloom products
- 53 registrations supported under Handloom Marketing Assistance
APEDA's Export Support
- Promotes GI-tagged agricultural products through:
- Quality improvement
- Capacity building
- Infrastructure development
- Overseas market promotion
New Export Markets
| Product | Destination |
|---|---|
| Karnataka GI fruits | Maldives |
| Salem Sago | Canada |
| Joha Rice | UK and Italy |
| Tezpur Litchi | Dubai |
Trade Agreements
- India-Oman CEPA: Facilitated export of Indi Lime to Oman
- New Zealand: Committed to facilitating registration of Indian GIs
- European Union: Continued negotiations on dedicated GI agreement
Promotional Events
- Craft fairs and Dilli Haat exhibitions
- GI & Beyond: Virasat se Vikas Tak
- World Food India
- Tribal Business Conclave
Conclusion
GI tags are more than intellectual property certificates—they are instruments of cultural preservation, rural development and export-led growth. By protecting authenticity and linking products to their place of origin, GI tags can help artisans, weavers and farmers move from anonymous production to premium branding.
With stronger authorized user registration, quality control, digital marketing, tourism integration and export promotion, India can scale its traditional wealth into globally recognised brands and strengthen the heritage economy.