GI Tags: Scaling Traditional Wealth into Global Brands

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• Geographical Indication (GI) tags have emerged as a powerful tool for protecting India’s cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities for local communities.

Geographical Indication (GI)

• A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
  • In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.
• Geographical indications are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Darjeeling Tea from West Bengal was the first product in India to receive a GI tag.

Significance of GI goods

• A GI tag serves as a seal of authenticity for artisanal crafts, safeguarding them against imitation, misuse, and unauthorised commercialisation. 

Can a GI tag be revoked?

• A GI registration may be revoked or cancelled if:
  • It was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation.
  • It is no longer protected in its country of origin or has fallen into disuse.
  • Its use is likely to deceive consumers, violates any law, or contains scandalous or obscene matter.

Regulation of GI

• As a form of intellectual property, GIs are recognised internationally under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). 
• In India, their registration and protection are overseen by the Geographical Indications Registry under the 1999 Act.   
  • India established a legal framework for protecting products linked to specific regions through the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and the accompanying Rules notified in 2002.  
  • The framework became operational in 2003, and GI registrations commenced in 2004–05.   
  • The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Rules, 2002, were amended in 2025.

Source: PIB