Geographical Indications

A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation attributable to that origin. The GI tag functions as a certification that the product is produced according to traditional methods from a defined region. It ensures that only authorised users registered to that geographical area can use the product name. In India, GI tags are given under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. As of August 2017, 267 items had received GI status in India. **Categories of GI Products:** Agricultural products, manufactured products, natural goods, handicraft, food items, clothing and textile, handmade carpets, spices, sweets, security items, and holy food. **Criteria for GI Tag:** - Goods must be produced, processed, or prepared in the specified region - The product must have a special quality or reputation linked to that geographical origin **Key Landmark GI Facts (Important for UPSC):** - **First GI-tagged product in India:** Darjeeling Tea (West Bengal) — received GI status in 2004–05 - **Only Indian dish to receive GI status:** Hyderabad Haleem (Telangana) - **Kerala's Nilambur Teak:** Recently received GI tag. Nilambur (Malappuram district, Kerala) has the oldest teak plantation in the world and hosts the world's first Teak Museum - **Uttarakhand Tejpatta (Bay Leaf):** First indigenous product of Uttarakhand to receive GI status **Selected 2017 GI Registrations:** | Product | Type | State | |---------|------|-------| | Gobindobhog rice | Agriculture | West Bengal | | Bandar laddu | Food item | Andhra Pradesh | | Banganapalle mango | Agriculture | Andhra Pradesh | | Sangli Raisins | Agriculture | Maharashtra | | Banaras metal repoussé craft | Handicraft | Uttar Pradesh | | Beed custard apple | Agriculture | Maharashtra | | Uttarakhand tejpatta | Agriculture | Uttarakhand | | Kashmiri hand knotted carpet | Handicraft | J&K | | Bardhaman Sitabhog | Food item | West Bengal | | Bardhaman Mihidana | Food item | West Bengal | | Blue pottery of Jaipur | Handicraft | Rajasthan | | Molela clay work | Handicraft | Rajasthan | | Joha rice of Assam | Agriculture | Assam | | Jamnagari bandhani | Handicraft | Gujarat | | Mysore silk | Handicraft | Karnataka | | Varanasi glass beads | Handicraft | Uttar Pradesh | | Sujini embroidery | Handicraft | Bihar | | Applique (Khatwa) work of Bihar | Handicraft | Bihar | | Marathwada kesar mango | Agriculture | Maharashtra | **Other Famous GI Products Contextually Referenced:** - Kanchipuram silk saree (Tamil Nadu) - Alphonso mango (Maharashtra) - Nagpur orange (Maharashtra) - Kolhapuri chappal (Maharashtra)