Geographical Indications (GI Tags)
📅 Last updated: June 27, 2025 2 min read
Why in News?
- Kolhapuri chappal makers have accused Italian fashion house Prada of cultural appropriation, alleging that the luxury brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 sandal design replicates the traditional Kolhapuri chappals, which hold a GI tag since 2019.
- Artisans and political leaders have condemned the move, citing GI violation and lack of credit. A Public Interest Litigation and criminal writ petition are being planned, demanding legal recognition and compensation from Prada.
- With over 20,000 artisans depending on this trade in Kolhapur, stakeholders are urging both state and central governments to act against what they call “commercial exploitation of India’s cultural heritage.”
Why in News?
- Kolhapuri chappal makers have accused Italian fashion house Prada of cultural appropriation, alleging that the luxury brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 sandal design replicates the traditional Kolhapuri chappals, which hold a GI tag since 2019.
- Artisans and political leaders have condemned the move, citing GI violation and lack of credit. A Public Interest Litigation and criminal writ petition are being planned, demanding legal recognition and compensation from Prada.
- With over 20,000 artisans depending on this trade in Kolhapur, stakeholders are urging both state and central governments to act against what they call “commercial exploitation of India’s cultural heritage.”
📘 What is a GI Tag?
- A Geographical Indication (GI) is a label that identifies a product as originating from a specific place, where a given quality, reputation, or characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
- It is a form of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) that ensures protection for traditional knowledge, indigenous practices, and rural livelihoods.
- GI tags enhance the market value of the product and help prevent misuse or imitation by outsiders.
- Only authorised users from the registered region can legally use the GI name.
- The registration remains valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
⚖️ Legal Framework
- The GI tag system in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- India's GI laws are compliant with the World Trade Organization's TRIPS Agreement, which sets global standards for IPR.
- It is administered by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
🎯 Key Features
- Legal exclusivity: GI tags legally restrict the use of the product name to genuine regional producers only.
- Cultural preservation: Promotes and protects indigenous techniques, traditions, and craftsmanship.
- Economic empowerment: Helps artisans and rural producers earn better incomes through market differentiation.
- Community ownership: GI rights are held by groups or communities rather than individuals, ensuring collective benefit.
🛍️ Types of GI Products
- Agricultural: Basmati Rice, Darjeeling Tea, Naga Mircha, Warangal Chilli
- Handicrafts: Kanchipuram Silk Sarees, Kolhapuri Chappals, Kannadippaya Mats, Pilkhuwa Block Prints
- Food items: Tirangi Barfi, Ratlami Sev, Assam Lemon, Mysore Pak
- Industrial goods: Banaras Metal Craft, Salem Stainless Steel
🧾 Eligibility & Registration
- Applicants can include producer groups, artisan associations, cooperatives, government agencies, or NGOs.
- Application must include historical evidence, proof of geographical linkage, and detailed production processes.
- Registration is done at the GI Registry in Chennai, with scrutiny and publication stages before certification.
- Once granted, the GI must be actively protected and used by the registered community to retain validity.
🌍 International Protection Systems
- Paris Convention (1883): Provides basic framework for protecting industrial property, including GIs.
- Lisbon Agreement (1958): Facilitates international registration of appellations of origin.
- Madrid System: Though primarily for trademarks, allows protection through certification marks and collective marks in some jurisdictions.
🚧 Challenges in GI Implementation
- Low awareness among rural producers about the legal and commercial advantages of GI status (e.g., Kagga rice farmers).
- Rampant imitation and fake branding — Banarasi silk often mass-produced outside Varanasi.
- Inequitable distribution: States like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh dominate GI registrations; tribal and northeastern products remain underrepresented.
- Enforcement gaps: Post-registration misuse due to poor legal enforcement and lack of active monitoring.
- Cross-regional disputes: Like in the case of Basmati rice, where Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh have clashed over GI ownership claims.
🏛️ Government Initiatives
- GI Logo & Tagline: "Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India" launched to boost branding and consumer trust.
- ODOP (One District One Product): Aims to identify, support, and promote one GI or traditional product per district.
- ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce): Provides e-commerce access to local artisans and rural producers of GI goods.
- APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority promotes GI-tagged exports like black rice and turmeric.
- Training & awareness drives: Conducted by DPIIT to educate artisans about the GI process and rights.
💡 Way Forward
- Introduce GI awareness campaigns in rural and tribal areas through local languages and media.
- Strengthen enforcement mechanisms to prevent misuse by national and international brands.
- Encourage GI-linked tourism — craft villages, food trails, and textile heritage circuits.
- Promote global GI alliances to ensure mutual recognition and market access.
🧩 Conclusion
The GI tag is more than a legal label — it is a tool of empowerment for artisans, a shield for cultural heritage, and a gateway to global recognition for rural India. Effective awareness, timely enforcement, and policy support can help transform India’s intangible heritage into tangible prosperity.
📘 What is a GI Tag?
- A Geographical Indication (GI) is a label that identifies a product as originating from a specific place, where a given quality, reputation, or characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
- It is a form of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) that ensures protection for traditional knowledge, indigenous practices, and rural livelihoods.
- GI tags enhance the market value of the product and help prevent misuse or imitation by outsiders.
- Only authorised users from the registered region can legally use the GI name.
- The registration remains valid for 10 years and can be renewed indefinitely.
⚖️ Legal Framework
- The GI tag system in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- India's GI laws are compliant with the World Trade Organization's TRIPS Agreement, which sets global standards for IPR.
- It is administered by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
🎯 Key Features
- Legal exclusivity: GI tags legally restrict the use of the product name to genuine regional producers only.
- Cultural preservation: Promotes and protects indigenous techniques, traditions, and craftsmanship.
- Economic empowerment: Helps artisans and rural producers earn better incomes through market differentiation.
- Community ownership: GI rights are held by groups or communities rather than individuals, ensuring collective benefit.
🛍️ Types of GI Products
- Agricultural: Basmati Rice, Darjeeling Tea, Naga Mircha, Warangal Chilli
- Handicrafts: Kanchipuram Silk Sarees, Kolhapuri Chappals, Kannadippaya Mats, Pilkhuwa Block Prints
- Food items: Tirangi Barfi, Ratlami Sev, Assam Lemon, Mysore Pak
- Industrial goods: Banaras Metal Craft, Salem Stainless Steel
🧾 Eligibility & Registration
- Applicants can include producer groups, artisan associations, cooperatives, government agencies, or NGOs.
- Application must include historical evidence, proof of geographical linkage, and detailed production processes.
- Registration is done at the GI Registry in Chennai, with scrutiny and publication stages before certification.
- Once granted, the GI must be actively protected and used by the registered community to retain validity.
🌍 International Protection Systems
- Paris Convention (1883): Provides basic framework for protecting industrial property, including GIs.
- Lisbon Agreement (1958): Facilitates international registration of appellations of origin.
- Madrid System: Though primarily for trademarks, allows protection through certification marks and collective marks in some jurisdictions.
🚧 Challenges in GI Implementation
- Low awareness among rural producers about the legal and commercial advantages of GI status (e.g., Kagga rice farmers).
- Rampant imitation and fake branding — Banarasi silk often mass-produced outside Varanasi.
- Inequitable distribution: States like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh dominate GI registrations; tribal and northeastern products remain underrepresented.
- Enforcement gaps: Post-registration misuse due to poor legal enforcement and lack of active monitoring.
- Cross-regional disputes: Like in the case of Basmati rice, where Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh have clashed over GI ownership claims.
🏛️ Government Initiatives
- GI Logo & Tagline: "Invaluable Treasures of Incredible India" launched to boost branding and consumer trust.
- ODOP (One District One Product): Aims to identify, support, and promote one GI or traditional product per district.
- ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce): Provides e-commerce access to local artisans and rural producers of GI goods.
- APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority promotes GI-tagged exports like black rice and turmeric.
- Training & awareness drives: Conducted by DPIIT to educate artisans about the GI process and rights.
💡 Way Forward
- Introduce GI awareness campaigns in rural and tribal areas through local languages and media.
- Strengthen enforcement mechanisms to prevent misuse by national and international brands.
- Encourage GI-linked tourism — craft villages, food trails, and textile heritage circuits.
- Promote global GI alliances to ensure mutual recognition and market access.
🧩 Conclusion
The GI tag is more than a legal label — it is a tool of empowerment for artisans, a shield for cultural heritage, and a gateway to global recognition for rural India. Effective awareness, timely enforcement, and policy support can help transform India’s intangible heritage into tangible prosperity.
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