India Targets 10,000 Geographical Indication Registrations by 2030
India has set an ambitious target to increase its registered geographical indication (GI) products from 605 to 10,000 by 2030, as announced by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. GI tags are granted to products originating from specific locations, signifying quality and uniqueness tied to those areas. These tags, which are valid for ten years and renewable, provide legal protection and enhance export potential.
Promoting GI Products on E-Commerce Platforms
To achieve this target, the government is emphasizing the promotion of GI products through platforms like the GeM government e-marketplace and encouraging e-commerce companies to support these goods. A dedicated committee will be formed to oversee the process. Minister Goyal remarked, "We have a very ambitious plan going forward...we have set a target that we should have 10,000 GI registrations."
Strengthening Infrastructure for GI Registration
The government is bolstering the workforce at the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and TradeMarks (CGPDTM) to support this initiative. Already, 500 new employees have been recruited, with plans to hire an additional 500 in the coming years. This expansion aims to simplify and streamline the GI registration process.
The registration involves multiple steps, including filing an application, preliminary scrutiny, issuing a show cause notice, publication in the geographical indications journal, opposition to registration, and finally, the granting of the GI tag. Associations or organizations representing producers can apply for GI tags to safeguard their interests.
Global Standards and Legal Framework
India's Geographical Indications of Goods Registration & Protection Act came into effect on September 15, 2003. GI tags are recognized internationally under agreements such as the Paris Convention and WTO's TRIPS agreement. Globally, countries like China have already issued over 10,000 GI tags, while Moldova has surpassed 3,000.
Famous Indian products with GI tags include Basmati rice, Darjeeling Tea, Mysore Silk, and Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving. These tags prevent unauthorized use of product names, protecting the heritage and authenticity of Indian goods. Efforts are also underway to simplify procedures for obtaining Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) approvals.
Identifying and Promoting Potential GI Products
Ganesh Hingmire, Chairman of the Great Mission Group Society (GMGS), emphasized the importance of identifying potential GI products across India's states and union territories. He highlighted the need to raise awareness about these products as a critical step toward achieving the target. "We should take this as a mission," Hingmire stated.
Over the next five years, the initiative aims to enhance recognition of GI products in every state and district, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and unique offerings to the world.
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