What is a Geographical Indication?

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a name on a product that works like a signature on a painting: it tells you exactly where the thing comes from — and guarantees that its qualities come from that place.

The idea in one example

Champagne can only come from Champagne. Under Indian law, Darjeeling Tea can only come from the 87 gardens of the Darjeeling hills, and a Banarasi saree can only be woven in and around Varanasi. The name itself is protected property — owned collectively by the producers of that region, not by any single company.

The law behind it

India protects GIs under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, in force since 2003. The GI Registry in Chennai examines each application, publishes it in the GI Journal for opposition, and grants registration for ten years, renewable indefinitely. The first Indian GI to be registered was Darjeeling Tea, in 2004. Our section-by-section guide to the GI Act, 1999 explains each key provision.

How registration works

Step 1: Application

A producers' association or state body files with proof of the product's link to its territory.

Step 2: Examination

The Registry scrutinises the claim and the defined territory.

Step 3: Publication

The application appears in the GI Journal, and anyone may oppose it within the notice period.

Step 4: Registration

A certificate is issued with a GI number, and the name is protected across India.

Step 5: Authorised users

Individual producers register to use the name and the GI logo legally.

Why it matters

For makers, a GI is a shield against imitation. For buyers, it is a compass: the tag tells you the object in your hands carries a real place inside it.

Who can use a GI, and what does it protect?

Under the Act, a GI can be registered by an association of persons or producers, an organisation or an authority established by law that represents the interests of producers. Once a GI is registered, individual producers within the notified area can apply to become authorised users. The registration protects the name from being used for goods that do not come from the area or do not meet the standards described in the application, and it allows the proprietor and authorised users to take action against misuse.

GI versus trademark

A trademark identifies the goods of one business, while a GI identifies goods that come from a region and share qualities linked to it. A trademark can be sold or licensed, but a GI belongs to the community of producers and cannot be transferred to a private buyer. This is why GIs suit crafts and farm products where knowledge is shared across many families, such as weaving clusters or fruit-growing districts.

How consumers can check a GI claim

Start by checking whether the product name appears in the GI Journal or on the GI Registry's list, and whether the place named matches the seller's claim. Look for the GI logo and authorised user details where available, and ask the seller for a certificate or cooperative membership. For textiles, look for supporting marks such as the Silk Mark and Handloom Mark. If a claim cannot be supported, treat it with caution, however famous the name.

Limits and current developments

A GI does not guarantee that every item is perfect, only that it comes from the named place and, where relevant, meets the agreed standard. New GIs are registered every year, and public reports in early 2026 mentioned additional registrations from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. Because the register changes, this site marks recently added products and avoids stating details that have not been confirmed.