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Question 36 of 54 · Indian States & Union Territories
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The dispute over the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the 'Rosogolla' was between:

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Answer: Option C — West Bengal and Odisha

Detailed Solution

West Bengal and Odisha had a long-running dispute over the origin of the "Rosogolla" (Rasgulla), a popular sweet made of cottage cheese (chhena) balls soaked in sugar syrup.

The dispute:

Odisha claimed that the rasagola originated in Odisha centuries ago, and was traditionally offered to Goddess Lakshmi at the Jagannath Temple in Puri during the "Niladri Bije" ritual, which marks the end of the Rath Yatra.

West Bengal claimed that the modern spongy rosogolla was invented in 1868 by Nobin Chandra Das, a confectioner of Baghbazar in Kolkata, who is often called the "Columbus of Rosogolla". His descendants founded the K. C. Das company.

The GI tags:

  • In November 2017, West Bengal received the GI tag for "Banglar Rosogolla" ("Rosogolla of Bengal").
  • In July 2019, Odisha received a separate GI tag for "Odisha Rasagola".

So both states now have GI tags for their own versions, which differ in colour, texture and taste. The Odisha version is softer and slightly brownish.

Odisha celebrates "Rasagola Dibasa" (Rasagola Day) on the day of Niladri Bije, and West Bengal celebrates "Rosogolla Dibas" on 14 November.

About Geographical Indications (GI):

  • A GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, a reputation or characteristics that are due to that origin.
  • 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 Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai.
  • A GI registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.
  • The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea (2004-05).
  • GIs are protected internationally under the World Trade Organization's TRIPS Agreement.

Other GI disputes and tags:

  • Basmati rice: disputed between India and Pakistan in the European Union.
  • Other famous sweet GIs: "Joynagarer Moa" (West Bengal), "Bardhaman Sitabhog and Mihidana" (West Bengal) and "Dharwad Pedha" (Karnataka).

Why not the other options?

  • ✗West Bengal and Assam did not dispute the Rosogolla GI.
  • ✗Odisha and Andhra Pradesh did not dispute the Rosogolla GI.
  • ✗West Bengal and Bihar did not dispute the Rosogolla GI.

Quick tip

Remember: Rosogolla GI dispute = West Bengal ("Banglar Rosogolla", GI 2017; Nobin Chandra Das, 1868) vs. Odisha ("Odisha Rasagola", GI 2019; Niladri Bije at Puri); GI Act 1999, Registry in Chennai; first GI = Darjeeling tea.

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Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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