Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, has set an ambitious target to grant 10,000 Geographical Indication (GI) tags by 2030. This goal was announced on Wednesday at the GI Samagam event held in New Delhi, organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the India Today Group.
Currently, the number of GI tags awarded stands at 605, but with a “whole of government” approach, Goyal aims to significantly ramp up the figure. To monitor the progress, a committee will be formed to oversee the implementation of this ambitious initiative.
In his address, Goyal highlighted that the number of authorized users of GI products has grown from 365 to nearly 29,000, while the number of patents granted to Indian innovators has surged from 6,000 to 100,000 over the last decade.
The Minister emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Vikas bhi aur Virasat bhi’ (development and heritage), which is being actively promoted through programs such as ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ where various GI products are regularly highlighted to raise awareness and boost recognition.
Goyal also spoke about the government’s ongoing efforts to further enhance the intellectual property rights (IPR) ecosystem, pointing to initiatives like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Fund and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme as key drivers of progress. He acknowledged the proactive roles played by the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra in promoting GI products.
The Minister also announced several measures to streamline and expedite the GI tagging process. This includes increasing the department’s manpower and transitioning the entire process to an online, time-bound system aimed at improving efficiency and reducing delays.
Further, Goyal stressed the need for better branding of GI products, advocating for greater collaboration with agencies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure quality standards and combat counterfeit goods.
In terms of marketing and promotion, the Minister proposed potential collaborations with both the private sector and government agencies, including Indian Railways and airports, to promote GI products across the country. He also suggested listing GI-tagged products on digital platforms such as GeM, ONDC, and major e-commerce websites, which have shown growing interest in Indian handloom, handicrafts, and specialty foods.
Additionally, Goyal proposed showcasing GI products in Indian embassies abroad to explore export opportunities and expand their global reach.
