A GI tag tells you that a product’s quality comes from where it is made. New GI tags come out every few months, so this topic gives both static and current affairs questions. Start with the basics, then learn a few famous products for each state.
GI basics
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law | Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 |
| In force from | 15 September 2003 |
| Registry | Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai |
| Ministry | Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) |
| Validity | 10 years, renewable |
| First GI in India | Darjeeling Tea (2004–05) |
| International link | WTO’s TRIPS Agreement |
| Total GIs | More than 650 (approx) |
Famous GI products, state-wise
| State | GI products |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | Banarasi saree, Lucknow chikankari, Moradabad metal craft, Firozabad glass, Kannauj perfume |
| Bihar | Madhubani painting, Shahi litchi (Muzaffarpur), Bhagalpuri silk, Katarni rice, Magahi paan, Silao khaja |
| West Bengal | Darjeeling tea, Banglar Rasogolla, Nakshi Kantha, Santiniketan leather |
| Odisha | Odisha Rasagola, Kandhamal haldi, Pattachitra, Sambalpuri saree |
| Assam | Muga silk, Assam (Orthodox) tea, Joha rice, Bodo textiles |
| Maharashtra | Alphonso mango (Ratnagiri), Kolhapuri chappal, Nashik grapes, Nagpur orange, Paithani saree |
| Karnataka | Mysore silk, Mysore sandal soap, Coorg orange, Channapatna toys, Bidriware |
| Tamil Nadu | Kanchipuram silk, Madurai malli (jasmine), Thanjavur painting, Palani panchamirtham |
| Kerala | Aranmula kannadi (mirror), Alleppey coir, Malabar pepper, Navara rice |
| Andhra Pradesh | Tirupati laddu, Kondapalli toys, Guntur sannam chilli |
| Telangana | Pochampally ikat, Hyderabad haleem, Karimnagar silver filigree |
| Gujarat | Patan patola, Gir kesar mango, Kutch embroidery |
| Rajasthan | Bikaneri bhujia, Sanganeri print, Blue pottery of Jaipur, Makrana marble |
| Punjab / Haryana | Phulkari, Basmati (with other states) |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kangra tea, Kullu shawl, Chamba rumal |
| J&K / Ladakh | Kashmir pashmina, Kashmir saffron, Ladakh apricot (Raktsey Karpo) |
| Goa | Feni |
| Nagaland / Sikkim | Naga mircha (king chilli), Dalle khursani (Sikkim chilli) |
| Manipur | Kachai lemon, Chak-hao (black rice) |
| Madhya Pradesh | Chanderi saree, Maheshwari saree, Ratlami sev |
Memory tricks
- First GI: Darjeeling Tea. Easy to remember: tea came first.
- Rasgulla war: both Banglar Rasogolla (WB, 2017) and Odisha Rasagola (2019) have GI tags.
- Bihar sweet trio: Shahi litchi, Silao khaja, Magahi paan.
Exam-ready one-liners
- The GI Act was passed in 1999 and came into force on 15 September 2003.
- The GI Registry is in Chennai.
- Darjeeling Tea was India’s first GI-tagged product.
- A GI tag is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.
- Madhubani painting and Shahi litchi are GI products of Bihar.
Related reading
Quiz: test yourself
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GI counts are approx and change often. Check ipindia.gov.in for the latest register.
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