Geographical Indications (GI) Tags
Protection for Regional Agricultural Products
A Geographical Indication (GI) is an intellectual property right that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical location, where a given quality, reputation, or characteristic is essentially attributable to that origin. In India, GIs are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, with the GI Registry located in Chennai.
- Kashmir Saffron: received GI tag in May 2020; grown in Pulwama, Budgam, Kishtwar, and Srinagar regions; recognised for its unique characteristics (longer and thicker stigma, natural deep-red colour, high crocin content)
- GI tags help in brand protection and premium pricing, but do not provide tariff protection against imports
- India has over 500 registered GIs across agricultural products, foodstuffs, handicrafts, and manufactured goods
- Other notable J&K GIs: Kani Shawl, Pashmina, Sozni Craft, Khatamband, Papier-mache
- Under WTO's TRIPS Agreement (Article 22-24), GIs receive intellectual property protection, but this applies to authenticity verification, not trade barrier creation
- GI protection can help differentiate J&K products in the market (e.g., "Kashmir Saffron" vs imported saffron), but cannot prevent tariff reduction under bilateral trade deals
● Tracked since February 11, 2026 · last seen April 25, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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