Explained: What is Geographical Indicator & what does it mean?

Know about GI Tags and their importance: SSC CGL & CHSL

The GI (Geographical Indicator) tag is an indication for a product which shows that it belongs to a particular region (geographical origin) and has the reputation and quality of that origin.

Provision in India

The GI Tag in India is given under Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.  This act was enacted by India as it a member of the WTO (World Trade Organisation) and party to TRIPS (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights).

What does GI Tag mean?

Having a GI Tag means that the users have a right over their products and it is protected. It ensures that a third party which does not have the GI tag or the product is not produced in that geographical location, cannot market their product under the same name or type. This is done to ensure that the products are of a good quality and comply with the applicable standards.

Read more: Fundamental Duties: How Fundamental Duties became a part of our Constitution?

The GI tag also identifies a product as originating in a particular place. Example- Kani Shawl from Jammu and Kashmir.

• The GI tag is valid for 10 years.
• The first GI tagged product in India was Darjeeling Tea in 2004-05.

In the year 2019, the following received GI tags-

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