Context:
17 Products from different States/UTs bagged the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.
Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
- An insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries with regard to its special quality or reputed attributes.
- Nodal Agency – Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Registered by – Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (Registrar of Geographical Indications)
- Governed by – Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999.
- Primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods).
- Validity: 10 years (renewable)
- GI products in India: 530 (January 2024) [Just remember more than 500 products]
- Recognitions –
- Recognized as a part of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention
- Defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
- Madrid Agreement and Lisbon Agreement
Recent GI Tagged Products:
| State/UT | Recent GI tagged products | Total No. of GI Tagged products till date |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Handmade CarpetsWancho Wooden CraftAdi Kekir (Ginger) | 6 |
| West Bengal | Tangail SareeGarad SareeKorial SareeKalonunia Rice (black-husked non-Basmati type scented rice of Terai region)Sundarban Honey | 27 |
| Odisha | Lanjia Saura paintings (a style of wall mural art)Dongaria Kondh shawlKhajuri Guda (date palm jaggery) – Produced from the sweet juice of palm called neeraDhenkanal MagjiSimilipal Kai ChutneyNayagarh Kanteimundi BrinjalKoraput Kalajeera Rice (known as the ‘Prince of Rice’) | 25 |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Ramban Anardana | 16 |
| Gujarat | Kachchhi Kharek (dates of Kutch region) | 18 |
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status?
1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees
2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma
3. Tirupathi Laddu
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
The Banaras sarees and brocades, renowned for intricate designs of silk and gold threads, have been assigned geographical indication (GI) status in 2009. Banaras Brocade Sarees are made of finely woven silk and decorated with intricate designs using zari. Tirupathi Laddu has been accorded GI tag in the year 2014.
