Madhya Pradesh leads GI registrations in 2025-26, Eastern states close behind
Geographical Indication (GI) registrations in India saw a significant uptick between April 2025 and March 2026, with Madhya Pradesh recording the highest number of new tags. According to official data, 125 GIs were registered during this period, of which Madhya Pradesh accounted for 26. West Bengal followed with 24 registrations, while Jharkhand secured 11, and Himachal Pradesh registered 13.
A GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation stemming from that origin. As of March 2026, the total number of registered GIs in India stands at 822.
Madhya Pradesh's new GI tags span handicrafts and tribal crops. Handicraft products include Khajuraho Stone Craft, Betul Bharewa Metal Craft, Gwalior Paper Mache Craft, and Gwalior Stone Craft Handicraft. Four tribal crops—Sitahi Kutki, Nagdaman Kutki, Baigani Arhar, and Mahakoshal Chhatriya Chawal (Chhatriya Paddy)—also received GI status. Sitahi Kutki and Nagdaman Kutki are staple foods of the Baiga and Gond tribes.
In West Bengal, 13 of the 24 GI registrations were facilitated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) chair at the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS). Vice-Chancellor O V Nandimath said, "This is a result of fantastic work by our IP Chair, which resonates with WBNUJS resolve to impact social change." Key products include 'Jalbhara' Sandesh from Chandernagore, 'Monohara' from Janai, Santiniketan Batik and Ektara, Banglar 'Nolen Gur', Kanakchur popped rice, clay doll of Krishnanagar, sitalpati of Cooch Behar, Bengal singing bowl, Balagarh boat, and Kolkatti jewellery.
West Bengal Minister of Science and Technology, Kalyan Chakraborti, noted that the state's total GI count has reached 59, with 14 more products pending. "GI cannot just remain as an ornamentation; we have to ensure that quality of the product is maintained and we are also thinking about how we can market such products," he said.
Jharkhand registered 11 GIs, mostly handicrafts and textiles, facilitated by the Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation (JHARCRAFT). Products include Tussar Silk Sarees, Tribal Jewellery, Bamboo Crafts, Dokra Craft, Kuchai Silk Sarees, Bhagaiya Sarees, Dumka Chadar Badoni Puppets, Panchi Parhan Sarees, Kesharia Kalakand, Benam, and Jadupatia Paintings. Managing Director Garima Singh, IAS, said, "GI registrations protect the authenticity of the crafts and are meant to open up national and international markets for the artisans who make them." Twelve more applications from the state are under examination.
Other states with notable GI registrations include Gujarat and Ladakh (UT) with seven each, Assam with six, and Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Goa with five each.
Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999, part of intellectual property rights under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. Of the total 822 registered GIs, handicrafts constitute over half (53%).
