The Government of India has set a target of 10,000 Geographical Indication (GI) tags for the Indian products by 2030. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) 605 Indian products have been issued GI tags till date.

Darjeeling tea was the first product to be given a GI in 2003.

The new target for the GI tag was announced by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal at the GI Samagam held in New Delhi on 22 January 2025.

The minister also announced that the central government will set up a committee to achieve this target.

Who Organised the GI Samagam?

The GI Samagam was organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the India Today Group.

The theme of the GI Samagam was "Preserving Heritage, Fostering Innovation", we aim to connect culture, commerce, and innovation.”

About the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag and its Features

A Geographical Indication tag is given to a product having distinct characteristics associated with a definite territory.

The GI tag provides legal protection for the product and It prevents the unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others for commercial use.

Legal framework

The legal framework for the GI Tag is laid down by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999 passed by the parliament.
The registrar of the GI tag is the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and TradeMarks, under the DIIPT.
Geographical Indications Registry - Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Products on which GI tag is given

In India the GI tag is given to the producer of three categories of goods;

Agricultural Goods - It includes the production, processing, trading, or dealing with such goods.
Natural Goods-It includes exploiting, trading, or dealing in such goods.
Handicrafts or Industrial goods -It include making, manufacturing, trading, or dealing in such types of goods

Benefits of GI Tag

Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered Geographical Indication.
Boost the export of the products.
It promotes the economic prosperity of producers of the GI tag goods.

Validity of the GI Tag

The geographical indication registration is valid for 10 years.
It can be renewed from time to time for 10 years each.