GI TAG IN NEWS 2024-25

Recent Additions (April 2024 - March 2025):

Uttar Pradesh leads with 8 new GIs, including:

1. Pilkhuwa Hand Block Print Textile
2. Banaras Metal Casting Craft
3. Bareilly Cane & Bamboo Craft
4. Tharu Embroidery of Uttar Pradesh
5. Bareilly Zari Zardoji
6. Banaras Tirangi Barfi
7. Banaras Mural Painting
8. Banaras Thandai (Traditional spiced beverage)

Assam has 7 new GIs, including several Bodo cultural products:

1. Bodo Aronai (textile)
2. Bodo Napham (Fermented Fish)
3. Bodo Ondla
4. Bodo Gwkha – Gwkhwi
5. Bodo Jou Gwran
6. Bodo Jou Gishi
7. Bodo Maibra Jou Bidwi
8. Bodo Narzi
9. Assam Bihu Dhol (traditional drum)
10. Assam Pani Meteka Craft
11. Sarthebari Metal Craft
12. Assam Mishing Handloom Products

Gujarat has 3 new GIs, including:

1. Kutch Ajrakh (ancient block printing technique)

Andaman & Nicobar Islands have 5 new GIs:

1. Nicobari Canoe - Hodi Craft
2. Nicobari Mat (Chatrai / Hileuoi)
3. Andaman Karen Musley Rice
4. Nicobari Tavi-i-Ngaich (Virgin Coconut Oil)
5. Nguat–Kuk'–'Khawtha'
6. Padauk Wood Craft

Other notable recent additions:

1. Kumbakonam Betel Leaf (Tamil Nadu) - known for its distinct taste and aroma.
2. Wanganui Chilli (Tomato Chilli) (Telangana) - known for its bright red color and round tomato-like shape.
3. Kannadippaya (Kerala) - traditional tribal handicraft, the first tribal handicraft from Kerala to receive a GI tag.
4. Meghalaya's indigenous textile 'Ryndia' - organic, handwoven, and naturally dyed fabric.
5. The Saadagari block print (Jamalpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat) - a traditional textile art form preserved for nearly 300 years.
6. Muzaffarnagar Jaggery (Uttar Pradesh) - a consignment of 30 tonnes was recently shipped to Bangladesh.
7. Chanderi and Maheshwari Sarees (Madhya Pradesh) - famous traditional textiles.
8. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) from Nicobar district (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
9. Marble statues of Gujarat's Ambaji.
10. Koraput Kalajeera Rice (Odisha) - aromatic black paddy rice.
11. Similipal Kai Chutney (Odisha) - made by tribal communities using red weaver ants.
12. Panruti Cashew and Panruti Jackfruit (Tamil Nadu).
13. Chettikulam Small Onion (Tamil Nadu).
14. Puliyangudi Acid Lime (Tamil Nadu).
15. Virudhunagar Samba Vathal (Tamil Nadu).
16. Ramanadu Chithiraikar Rice (Tamil Nadu).
17. Thovalai Flower Garland (West Bengal).
18. Murshidabad Chhanobora (West Bengal).
19. Kamarpukur Sada Bode (West Bengal).
20. Malda Nistari Silk Yarn (West Bengal).
21. Radhunipagal Rice (West Bengal).
22. Baruipur Guava (West Bengal).
23. Kashmir Namda (Jammu and Kashmir) - handcrafted product.
24. Shikara (Kashmir) - traditional boat.
25. Kashmir Wagguv (Kashmir) - traditional handcrafted product.
26. Arunachal Pradesh Textiles (Apatani, Monpa, Nyishi, Adi, Galo) and Monpa Handmade Paper, Singpho Phalap (Singpho Tea), Adi Apong, Dao (Sword).
27. Lakadong Turmeric (Meghalaya).
28. Lanjia Saura Painting (Odisha)
29. Dungaria Kondh Embroidered Shawl (Odisha)
30. Dhenkanal Magji (Odisha)
31. Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjals (Odisha)
32. Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery (Odisha)
33. Tangail Cotton Sarees, Korial Sarees, Garad Silk Sarees (West Bengal).
34. Adi Kiker (Ginger) (Arunachal Pradesh).
35. Handmade Carpet (Arunachal Pradesh).
36. Chaulai (Ramdana), Jhangora, Mandua, Lal Chawal (Red Rice), Almora Lakhori Chilli (Uttarakhand).

Key aspects of GI tag in the news:

• GI tags are issued as per the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 and are administered by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  
• GI tags provide legal protection against unauthorised use, ensuring authenticity and distinctiveness of regionally related goods. 
• This helps prevent misuse, imitation or misleading representations.
  
• They boost exports and local economies by helping producers to command premium prices in domestic and international markets. 
• It promotes rural development and sustainable livelihoods for artisans and farmers.
• GI tags protect traditional knowledge, indigenous practices and cultural heritage associated with the products.
• The Government of India has set an ambitious target of 10,000 Geographical Indication (GI) tags for Indian products by 2030, highlighting their strategic importance.
• Despite the benefits, challenges remain, such as lower registration rates than some other countries, regional disparities in GI registration, cases of GI infringement (counterfeiting) and lack of awareness among many rural producers about the benefits of GIs.