India has registered 822 products under the Geographical Indications (GI) system, according to the latest data from the GI Registry. Between April 2025 and March 2026, 125 new GIs were added across the country, with eastern Indian states accounting for a significant share of these registrations. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of registrations during this period at 26, followed closely by West Bengal with 24.
What Are Geographical Indications?
A Geographical Indication is a sign or name used on products that come from a specific geographical location and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics essentially attributable to that origin. These can be agricultural goods, foodstuffs, handicrafts, manufactured items, or natural goods. For instance, Darjeeling Tea, which received India’s first GI tag in 2004, owes its distinct flavour to the soil and climate of the Darjeeling region in West Bengal.
The purpose of a GI tag is twofold. It protects the rights of producers and artisans by preventing unauthorised use of the product name by outsiders. It also assures consumers that they are buying an authentic product with verified geographical origins and quality standards. This legal protection helps preserve traditional knowledge, supports rural livelihoods, and opens up export opportunities for indigenous products.
The GI Act and the Legal Framework
The protection of Geographical Indications in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Parliament passed this Act in December 1999, and it came into force on 15 September 2003. The Act is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who also serves as the Registrar of Geographical Indications. The GI Registry, which handles all applications and registrations, is located at the Intellectual Property Office Building in Guindy, Chennai, and has all-India jurisdiction.
India’s GI law was enacted to comply with its obligations under the TRIPS Agreement (Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), which forms part of the WTO framework. Articles 22 to 24 of the TRIPS Agreement deal with the protection of geographical indications. GIs are also recognised under Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
Once registered, a GI is valid for 10 years from the date of filing of the application. This registration can be renewed indefinitely for successive 10-year periods. Any association of persons, producers, organisation, or authority established by law can apply for a GI registration, provided they represent the interests of the producers of the goods concerned.
GI Registrations in 2025-26: Eastern States Drive the Surge
The financial year 2025-26 turned out to be a landmark period for GI registrations in India, with 125 new products receiving the tag. Eastern India emerged as a major contributor, with states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, and Odisha collectively securing a large number of these registrations.
Madhya Pradesh led the annual tally with 26 registrations. The handicraft products from the state that received GI tags include Khajuraho Stone Craft, Betul Bharewa Metal Craft, Gwalior Paper Mache Craft, and Gwalior Stone Craft Handicraft. The state also secured GI tags for four tribal crops: Sitahi Kutki, Nagdaman Kutki, Baigani Arhar, and Mahakoshal Chhatriya Chawal (Chhatriya Paddy). Sitahi Kutki and Nagdaman Kutki are staple foods of the Baiga and Gond tribes, highlighting how GI tags help protect indigenous food systems and tribal livelihoods.
West Bengal recorded 24 registrations in the same period. Key products that received GI status include Jalbhara Sandesh from Chandannagar, Monohara from Janai, Santiniketan Batik and Santiniketan Ektara from Birbhum, Banglar Nolen Gur (date palm jaggery), Kanakchur popped rice, the clay doll of Krishnanagar, sitalpati of Cooch Behar, and Kolkatti jewellery from Kolkata. More than half of these registrations were secured by the DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) Chair of the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS).
Jharkhand recorded 11 GI registrations during the year, mostly in handicrafts and textiles. The Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation (JHARCRAFT) facilitated these registrations. Products include Tribal Jewellery of Jharkhand, Bamboo Crafts of Jharkhand, Jharkhand Dokra Craft, Kuchai Silk Sarees, Bhagaiya Sarees, and Jharkhand Jadupatia Paintings. Twelve more applications from the state are currently under examination at the GI Registry.
Himachal Pradesh registered 13 products, while Gujarat and Ladakh (UT) recorded seven each. Assam secured six GI tags, and Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Goa registered five each.
State-wise Distribution of GI Tags in India
In terms of cumulative GI registrations, Uttar Pradesh leads the country with 79 GI tags, the highest among all states and union territories. The state’s success is driven by its diverse craft traditions, from Banarasi silk sarees and Lucknow Chikan embroidery to Agra Petha and Kalanamak rice.
Tamil Nadu ranks second, and West Bengal holds the third position with 59 GI tags according to the state government. Other states with significant GI portfolios include Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Odisha, each with a robust mix of handicraft and agricultural products.
| Rank | State/UT | Approximate GI Count | Notable Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 79 | Banarasi Saree, Lucknow Chikan, Agra Petha, Kalanamak Rice |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 65+ | Kanchipuram Silk, Thanjavur Painting, Madurai Malli, Nilgiri Tea |
| 3 | West Bengal | 59 | Darjeeling Tea, Nakshi Kantha, Banglar Nolen Gur, Jalbhara Sandesh |
| 4 | Karnataka | 50+ | Mysore Silk, Channapatna Toys, Coorg Orange, Mysore Sandal Soap |
| 5 | Maharashtra | 50+ | Alphonso Mango, Nagpur Orange, Paithani Saree, Kolhapuri Chappal |
| 6 | Odisha | 35+ | Pattachitra, Konark Stone Carving, Odisha Rasagola, Sambalpuri Fabric |
| 7 | Rajasthan | 25+ | Kota Doria, Blue Pottery, Bikaneri Bhujia, Sanganer Print |
| 8 | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana | 24+ | Tirupati Laddu, Pochampally Ikat, Kondapalli Toys, Araku Coffee |
| 9 | Gujarat | 22+ | Patan Patola, Gir Kesar Mango, Kutch Embroidery, Ajrakh |
| 10 | Kerala | 22+ | Aranmula Kannadi, Palakkadan Matta Rice, Alleppey Coir |
The table shows that southern and western states continue to hold dominant positions in the cumulative rankings, but the 2025-26 surge from eastern states signals a gradual rebalancing of GI awareness and activity across the country.
Composition of Registered GI Products
Among the 822 registered GIs, handicrafts form the largest category, accounting for more than 53% of all tags. This reflects India’s rich and diverse craft traditions that have been passed down through generations. Agricultural products constitute the second-largest category at about 31%, a sign of the growing recognition of region-specific crops and varieties.
The remaining GIs fall under manufactured goods, foodstuffs (including sweets and snacks), and natural goods. The dominance of handicrafts is not surprising given that India’s GI journey began with products like Darjeeling Tea, Pochampally Ikat, and Chanderi Sarees, all of which are rooted in traditional craftsmanship. The recent inclusion of tribal crops from Madhya Pradesh and indigenous textiles from Jharkhand further diversifies the GI basket, bringing marginal communities into the formal intellectual property framework.
The Road Ahead: Target of 10,000 GI Tags
The central government has set an ambitious target of 10,000 GI-tagged products by 2030. To accelerate the pace of registrations, the government reduced the GI application fee from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,000 in the previous year. This reduction has already shown results. The number of GI applications crossed the 2,000 mark in April 2026, with a record 510 applications filed in FY 2025-26 alone, the highest in any single fiscal year since GI registration began in 2003.
However, challenges remain. Many registered GIs have very few authorised users, which limits the commercial benefits of registration for actual producers. Awareness about GI registration is still low in several states, particularly in the northeastern region, which has immense potential for GI products given its biodiversity and craft traditions. Experts recommend simplifying the registration process, strengthening enforcement against misuse, and launching targeted awareness campaigns in under-represented states. Ensuring that GI tags translate into real economic gains for artisans and farmers through better marketing and market access remains the next big challenge.
Key Takeaways
- The total number of Geographical Indications (GI) registered in India has reached 822, with 125 new tags added in 2025-26.
- Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of registrations in 2025-26 with 26, followed by West Bengal with 24.
- Uttar Pradesh holds the highest cumulative GI count at 79, the most among all Indian states.
- A GI tag is valid for 10 years from the date of application and can be renewed indefinitely.
- The GI Registry is located in Chennai and functions under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.
- India’s GI law is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, enacted to comply with the TRIPS Agreement under the WTO framework.
