List of Geographical Indications GI Tags in India

Reviewed by:

Nafeez Khan

All GI Tags in India

A Geographical Indication or a GI tag is a sign or a name that is provided to some products that have a specific relation with any geographical origin or location, such as a town, a country, or a region in particular. The list of all GI tags in India is definitely quite long. Using the GI tags can be considered as proper certification that any particular thing or product is produced according to the traditional methods and have certain qualities that are specific in nature. For example, the Odisha GI tag list includes Orissa Pattachitra, Habaspuri Saree & Fabrics, Pipli Applique Work, and so much more. The list goes on for different states and regions in India. In order to qualify as a GI tag, it needs to have a specific sign for the specific products. Let us get to know more about it.

What Exactly is a GI Tag?

GI tags or Geographical Indications are basically used for signing a specific name or sign for some sort of a product that is based on one particular location. These products also tend to have a particular reputation according to the geographical region that they belong to. Most of the tags in the list of all GI tags in India are for spirit drinks, wine, foodstuff, industrial products, handicrafts, and agricultural products. The main point behind having a GI tag is that the registered users of that product will only be able to use that particular name for the product that they are trying to sell.

Who is Responsible for Regulating the India GI Tag List?

All of the important Geographical Indications are considered to be a special component of the Intellectual Property Rights or the IPRs that are basically under the rule of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. When we are talking about the international front, the World Trade Organization Agreement related to all the trade aspects are responsible for it. The registrations of the Geographical Indications happen according to the Geographical Indications of Goods Act of 1999. This Act came into existence in the year 2003 from the month of September. One of the very first products in the country of India that achieved the GI tag was the Darjeeling tea between 2004 and 2005. The GI tag in the India list features all the important products that deserve some sort of recognition according to their relevance and reputation.

What is the Benefit of the Indian GI Tag List?

Having a registration for Geographical Indication for any particular product belonging to a certain specific region can have many different benefits. In this section, we are going to talk about the different benefits of the GI tag list.

The products that have a name on the GI tag list of India tend to have protection in a legal manner. This means there will be no use of the GI tags for the particular products in an unauthorized manner.

It also helps the different customers get all the best quality of products that they want. According to the reputation of the product, consumers can get what they desire and be provided with the specific traits in the products. There is also no question in the authenticity of the product if there is a GI tag associated with it. This means people are going to get the best quality at all costs.

This also helps in the promotion of the economic prosperity related to the products as well as the producers that tend to create these GI tag products in the first place. This is due to the fact that it increases the appeal and demand for these certain products in the nation along with the international markets all over the world.

While there are so many benefits associated with the list of Geographical indications GI tags in India, there might be some issues as well. It has been seen quite recently that there has been an increase in certain disputes related to the particular place of the origination of the product. This is one issue that can get a lot aggravated because there is no clear evidence to prove it. Due to the lack of proper historical evidence, most regions tend to fight over the GI tag related to one product.

Let us provide you with an example. There have been disputes regarding the origin of the Indian delicacy Roshogulla. This dessert is very popular in India. While West Bengal wants to add it to their list of GI tags, Odisha also has plans on adding it to the Odisha GI tag list. Hence, each state is trying to promote the cultural as well as regional aspects through this particular dessert. This can be a very unhealthy form of competition for sure.

Understanding the Importance of India GI Tag List

Having a Geographical Indication right means that people are able to use that particular indication for their needs. It also prohibits the usage of the indication by any other third-party people who don’t have a product that conforms properly to all the different applicable standards. Hence, there is a very big significance of the GI tag list of India that people need to know about. With proper knowledge of the important geographical indications, one can ensure the authenticity of any product belonging to any particular region in the best way.

Some Important Geographical Indications According to their States

Name of the State	GI Tags
Andhra Pradesh	Srikalahasthi Kalamkari, Machilipatnam Kalamkari, Andhra Pradesh Leather Puppetry, Tirupati Laddu, Bandar Laddu, Araku Valley Arabica Coffee.
Arunachal Pradesh	Arunachal Orange, Idu Mishmi Textiles
Assam	Muga Silk of Assam, Joha Rice of Assam, Boka Chaul
Bihar	Madhubani Paintings, Bhagalpur Silk, Katarni Rice, Silao Khaja
Chhattisgarh	Bastar Dhokra, Bastar Iron Craft
Goa	Khola Chilli, Feni
Gujarat	Kutch Embroidery, Patan Patola, Bhalia Wheat
Himachal Pradesh	Kullu Shawl, Chamba Rumal, Kinnauri Shawl, Kangra Paintings, Himachali Chulli Oil
Jammu & Kashmir	Kani Shawl, Kashmir Paper Machie, Khatamband, Saffron (Mongra, Lachha, Guchhi)
Jharkhand	Sohrai – Khovar Painting
Karnataka	Mysore Silk, Channapatna Toys & Dolls, Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee, Mysore Sandalwood Oil, Mysore Sandal soap
Kerala	Pokkali Rice, Vazhakulam Pineapple, Kaipad Rice, Kuthampully Dhoties & Set Mundu, Nilambur Teak, Marayoor Jaggery (Marayoor Sharkara)
Madhya Pradesh	Chanderi Sarees, Maheshwar Sarees & Fabrics, Jhabua Kadaknath Black Chicken Meat
Maharashtra	Solapur Chaddar, Nashik Valley Wine Sindhudurg & Ratnagiri Kokum, Sangli Raisins, Purandar Fig, Ambemohar Rice, Karvath Kati Sarees & Fabrics, Sangli Turmeric
Manipur	Shaphee Lanphee, Moirang Phee, Kachai Lemon
Meghalaya	Khasi Mandarin, Memong Narang
Mizoram	Mizo Chilli, Hmaram
Nagaland	Naga Mircha, Chakhesang Shawl
Odisha	Kotpad Handloom fabric, Khandua Saree and Fabrics, Kandhamal Haladi, Odisha Rasagola
Rajasthan	Kota Doria, Pokaran Pottery
Tamil Nadu	Salem Fabric, Kancheepuram Silk, Madurai Sungudi, Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture, Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai, Thanjavur Pith Works Arumbavur Wood Carvings
Tripura	Tripura Queen Pineapple
Telangana	Pochampally Ikat, Silver Filigree of Karimnagar, Adilabad Dokra, Warangal Durries, Telia Rumal
Uttar Pradesh	Allahabad Surkha Guava, Malihabadi Dusseheri mango, Hand Made Carpet of Bhadohi, Moradabad Metal Craft, Ghazipur Wall Hanging, Gorakhpur Terracotta
West Bengal	Nakshi Kantha, Darjeeling Tea, Santiniketan Leather Goods, Baluchari Saree, Gobindobhog Rice, Banglar Rasogolla, Madur kathi

As you can see from the list above, there are so many tags associated with the different states of India. There are many others on the list that are not included.

Every single state in India has a lot of GI tags, and it is important for the people to know about it. These GI tags are not just the representatives of the diversified culture, but they are also symbols of the amazing craftsmanship of the people. Hence, knowing about the list of all GI tags in India will definitely be a huge help for sure.

FAQs on List of Geographical Indications GI Tags in India

1. What is included in the Gujarat GI tag list?

The Gujarat GI tag list includes all the important and specific products that are pertained to that particular area or location in Gujarat. Some of the major products that are included in this GI tag list are Sankheda Furniture, Kutch Embroidery, Kutch Embroidery, Agates of Cambay, Surat Zari Craft, Tangaliya Shawl, Kachchh Shawls, Jamnagari Bandhani, Patan Patola, Pethapur Printing Blocks, Rajkot Patola, Bhalia Wheat, Gir Kesar Mango and much more. These GI tags are representatives of the rich culture and heritage of Gujarat, and people can easily find these items in the markets there or all over the country at very affordable rates.

2. What does the GI tag in the Maharashtra list include?

The GI tag in Maharashtra list includes some important items such as Solapur Chaddar, Puneri Pagadi, Solapur Terry Towel, Nashik Valley Wine, Mahabaleshwar Strawberry, Paithani Sarees & Fabrics, Nashik Grapes, Ajara Ghansal Rice, Kolhapur Jaggery, Mangalwedha Jowar, Waghya Ghevada, Sindhudurg & Ratnagiri Kokum, Navapur Tur Dal, Lasalgaon Onion, Vengurla Cashew, Sangli Raisins, Jalna Sweet Orange, Beed Custard Apple, Waigaon Turmeric, Jalgaon Bharit Brinjal, Purandar Fig, Solapur Pomegranate, Ambemohar Rice, Bhiwapur Chil, Dahanu Gholvad Chikoo, Marathwada Kesar Mango, Jalgaon Banana, Karvath Kati Sarees & Fabrics, Sangli Turmeric, Alphonso, and many other items. These items are found in Maharashtra and are really authentic as well.