Which was the first product in India to get a Geographical Indication (GI) tag?

Darjeeling tea became the first product in India to be registered with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, in 2004-05. It is grown in the hills of Darjeeling district in West Bengal, at heights of about 600 to 2,000 metres, and is famous for its delicate flavour, light colour and muscatel aroma. Because of its quality, it is often called the "Champagne of Teas".

What is a Geographical Indication?

A GI is a sign or name used on products that come from a specific geographical location and have qualities, reputation or characteristics that are mainly due to that place of origin.

A GI tag protects such products from being copied or misused by producers from other areas, and it helps the local producers get a better price.

In India, GIs are registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on 15 September 2003.

The GI Registry is located in Chennai, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

A GI registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.

GIs are covered internationally by the WTO's agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

Some other well-known Indian GI products:

• Agricultural: Basmati rice, Nagpur orange, Alphonso mango (Ratnagiri), Kashmir saffron, Coorg orange.
• Handicrafts and textiles: Mysore silk, Kanchipuram silk, Pochampally ikat, Madhubani painting, Channapatna toys.
• Food: Tirupati laddu, Bikaneri bhujia, Rasgulla (Odisha and West Bengal).
• Manufactured: Mysore sandal soap, Feni (Goa).
• Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are among the states with the most GI tags.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Basmati rice was given a GI tag later (2016) after a long dispute.
• ✗Mysore silk received a GI tag in 2005.
• ✗Alphonso mango received a GI tag in 2018.