India has 822 registered Geographical Indications (GI tags) as of 31 March 2026, according to the official register of the GI Registry, Chennai. 125 of them were added in 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), with Madhya Pradesh (26) and West Bengal (24) leading. The first GI tag of India was Darjeeling Tea (2004-05).
🔥 Key Exam Takeaway: GI Act = 1999 · Registry = Chennai · Validity = 10 years (renewable) · First GI = Darjeeling Tea · Total on register (31 March 2026) = 822 · Most GIs overall = Uttar Pradesh · Most new GIs in 2025-26 = Madhya Pradesh · Newest GIs reported in 2026 include Jharkhand's Mandar folk drum and Gujarat's Ambaji Mohanthal prasad.
The numbers below come from the GI Registry's year-wise register (dated 31 March 2026), the PIB backgrounder of 4 August 2026, and news reports for registrations made after March 2026.
How Many GI Tags Are There in India in 2026?
The GI Registry's official list runs from serial number 1 (Darjeeling Tea, 2004-05) to serial number 822 (Himachal Handmade Galicha, a carpet, registered in 2025-26). So the total on the register as of 31 March 2026 is 822.
Two points examiners like to test:
- The 822 count is the number of registrations, not 822 different Indian products. A few crafts have a separate logo registration (for example, Kota Doria and Kota Doria (Logo)), and the register also includes foreign GIs such as Champagne, Scotch Whisky and Tequila.
- PIB's August 2026 backgrounder rounds this off as "over 800 registered GI products" and says 607 GIs have been granted since 2014.
Registrations made after 31 March 2026 (financial year 2026-27) are not in that register yet, so any "total" for later in 2026 is 822 plus the new additions.
GI Tags in India 2026: Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full form of GI | Geographical Indication |
| Law in India | Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 |
| Rules | GI Rules, 2002 (amended in 2025) |
| Act came into force | September 2003 |
| Registering office | Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai (all-India jurisdiction) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT) |
| Validity of a GI | 10 years, renewable again and again |
| Renewal fee after 2025 amendment | ₹500 (earlier ₹3,000); filing fees cut by about 80% |
| International basis | Paris Convention and WTO's TRIPS Agreement |
| First GI tag of India | Darjeeling Tea (West Bengal), 2004-05 |
| First foreign GI in the register | Peruvian Pisco (Peru) |
| Total GIs on register (31 March 2026) | 822 |
| New GIs in 2025-26 | 125 |
| State with most new GIs in 2025-26 | Madhya Pradesh (26) |
| State with most GIs overall | Uttar Pradesh |
| Government target | 10,000 GI registrations by 2030 |
What Is a GI Tag? Meaning, Full Form and Categories
A GI tag is a sign used on a product that comes from a particular place and has qualities or a reputation because of that place. Only producers from that area (registered as authorised users) can sell the product under that name. For example, only tea grown and processed in the Darjeeling hills can legally be sold as "Darjeeling Tea".
Under Section 2(f) of the GI Act, goods fall into these categories, and the register uses the same headings:
| Category | Examples from the register |
|---|---|
| Agricultural | Darjeeling Tea, Kashmir Saffron, Nagpur Orange, Basmati |
| Handicraft | Banaras Brocades and Sarees, Madhubani Painting, Channapatna Toys |
| Food stuff | Tirupathi Laddu, Dharwad Pedha, Bikaneri Bhujia, Banglar Rasogolla |
| Manufactured | Mysore Sandal Soap, Feni, Nashik Valley Wine, Kannauj Perfume |
| Natural goods | Makrana Marble, Chunar Balua Patthar, Lac of Purulia, Ambaji White Marble |
PIB lists five natural-goods GIs: Makrana Marble (Rajasthan), Chunar Balua Patthar (Uttar Pradesh), Lac of Purulia (West Bengal), Panna Diamond (Madhya Pradesh) and Ambaji White Marble (Gujarat). Handicrafts are the biggest group, at a little over half of all GIs, followed by agricultural goods at about 31%.
Latest GI Tags in India 2026 (New Additions)
GI tags reported after March 2026
These came after the 31 March 2026 register and are the "latest GI tag" answers for late-2026 exams:
| GI | State | Type | When reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandar (folk drum) | Jharkhand | Handicraft (musical instrument) | 29 September 2026 |
| Ambaji Mohanthal (temple prasad) | Gujarat | Food stuff | Certificate handed over at Ambaji, October 2026 |
The Mandar is a traditional percussion instrument heard at folk performances and community celebrations across Jharkhand. The GI covers mandars made across the state; the application was filed by an artisans' producer company from Jarjatta village in Gumla district.
Newest entries at the end of the 2025-26 register
The last entries on the register (serial numbers 816 to 822) are Khajuraho Metal Craft, Malwa Painting, Sarangpur Handloom Saree and Bhopali Batua and Zari Craft from Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Gudma, Himachal Lingchay and Himachal Handmade Galicha from Himachal Pradesh. Number 822, Himachal Handmade Galicha, is the last GI on the March 2026 list.
New GI Tags 2025-26: State-Wise List
125 GIs were registered between April 2025 and March 2026. The states with the most new tags:
| State / UT | New GIs in 2025-26 | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 26 | Panna Diamond, Khajuraho Stone Craft, Gwalior Papier Mache Craft, Sitahi Kutki, Nagdaman Kutki, Baigani Arhar, Burhanpur Kela, Khargone Lal Mirch |
| West Bengal | 24 | Chandannagar Jolbhora (Jalbhara) Sandesh, Janai Monohara, Banglar Nolen Gur, Santiniketan Batik, Krishnanagar Clay Doll, Balagarh Boat, Murshidabad Silk |
| Himachal Pradesh | 13 | Kinnauri Apple, Kinnauri Topi, Spiti Chharma (Seabuckthorn), Sepu Vadi of Mandi, Chamba Metal Craft, Salooni Safed Makka |
| Jharkhand | 11 | Kuchai Silk, Bhagaiya Saree, Jharkhand Tussar Silk, Munda Jewellery, Jharkhand Dokra, Kesaria Kalakand of Koderma |
| Gujarat | 7 | Surat Cut Diamond, Unjha Jeera, Unjha Fennel, Patan Mashru Saree, Jasdan Patari Craft |
| Ladakh (UT) | 7 | Ladakh Pashmina Textile, Ladakh Chilling Metal Work, Pabu of Ladakh, Ladakh Thigma |
| Uttar Pradesh | 5 | Meerut Bugle, Mathura Zari Poshak, Aligarh Metal Statue Craft |
| Tamil Nadu | 5 | Woraiyur Cotton Saree, Thooyamalli Rice, Kavindhapadi Nattu Sakkarai |
| Goa | 5 | Goa Hilario Mango, Goa Mussarad Mango, Goa Korgut Rice, Goa Kaju Apple, Taleigao Vayingim (brinjal) |
Other new tags of the year include Bihar's Nalanda Bawanbuti Saree, Gaya Pattharkatti Stone Craft and Bhojpur Pidhiya Painting, Sikkim's Lepcha Tungbuk and Lepcha Pumtong Pulit (flute), Uttarakhand's Bedu fruit and Badri Cow Ghee, Haryana's Sirsa Kinnow, Rajasthan's Nagori Ashwagandha and Ravan Hattha, and Andhra Pradesh's Ponduru Khadi.
Which State Has the Most GI Tags in India?
Uttar Pradesh has the most GI tags in India. According to PIB (data as of December 2025):
| Rank | State | GI-tagged products (Dec 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 81 |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 76 |
| 3 | Maharashtra | 55 |
After the big batch of registrations in March 2026, West Bengal reached 59 GIs, according to its state government, which puts it third after UP and Tamil Nadu. So if a question asks for the top state, the answer is Uttar Pradesh. If it asks about the most new GIs in 2025-26, the answer is Madhya Pradesh.
State-Wise List of Famous GI Tags in India
These are the GI tags most often asked in SSC, bank and railway exams, checked against the official register:
| State / UT | Famous GI tags |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Tirupathi Laddu, Guntur Sannam Chilli, Kondapalli Bommallu, Srikalahasthi Kalamkari, Banaganapalle Mango (with Telangana) |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Arunachal Orange, Idu Mishmi Textiles, Yak Churpi, Apatani Textile |
| Assam | Muga Silk, Joha Rice, Gamosa, Assam Orthodox Tea, Tezpur Litchi, Judima |
| Bihar | Madhubani Painting, Shahi Litchi, Magahi Paan, Mithila Makhana, Bhagalpur Silk, Silao Khaja |
| Chhattisgarh | Bastar Dhokra, Champa Silk Saree, Jeeraphool rice, Nagri Dubraj |
| Goa | Feni, Goan Bebinca, Goa Cashew, Khola Chilli, Goa Mankurad Mango |
| Gujarat | Patan Patola, Gir Kesar Mango, Kutch Embroidery, Surat Zari Craft, Surat Cut Diamond |
| Himachal Pradesh | Kullu Shawl, Kangra Tea, Chamba Rumal, Kinnauri Shawl, Kinnauri Apple |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Kashmir Pashmina, Kashmir Saffron, Kani Shawl, Kashmir Willow Bat |
| Jharkhand | Sohrai-Khovar Painting, Kuchai Silk, Jharkhand Dokra, Mandar |
| Karnataka | Mysore Silk, Mysore Sandal Soap, Channapatna Toys, Coorg Orange, Dharwad Pedha, Bidriware |
| Kerala | Aranmula Kannadi, Navara Rice, Palakkadan Matta Rice, Alleppey Coir, Nilambur Teak |
| Ladakh | Pashmina Wool of Ladakh, Raktsey Karpo Apricot, Ladakh Seabuckthorn |
| Madhya Pradesh | Chanderi Sarees, Jhabua Kadaknath, Ratlami Sev, Sharbati Gehu, Panna Diamond |
| Maharashtra | Alphonso, Paithani Sarees, Nashik Grapes, Solapur Chaddar, Puneri Pagadi |
| Manipur | Shaphee Lanphee, Kachai Lemon, Tamenglong Orange |
| Meghalaya | Khasi Mandarin, Lakadong Turmeric, Memong Narang |
| Mizoram | Mizo Chilli, Mizo Ginger, Mizo Puanchei |
| Nagaland | Naga Mircha, Naga Tree Tomato, Chakhesang Shawl |
| Odisha | Kotpad Handloom, Odisha Rasagola, Kandhamal Haladi, Konark Stone Carving, Pipli Applique Work |
| Rajasthan | Kota Doria, Blue Pottery of Jaipur, Makrana Marble, Bikaneri Bhujia, Sojat Mehndi |
| Sikkim | Sikkim Large Cardamom, Dalle Khursani (with West Bengal) |
| Tamil Nadu | Kancheepuram Silk, Madurai Malli, Thanjavur Paintings, Erode Turmeric, Palani Panchamirtham |
| Telangana | Pochampalli Ikat, Hyderabad Haleem, Nirmal Toys, Warangal Chapata Chilli |
| Tripura | Tripura Queen Pineapple, Risa Textile, Matabari Peda |
| Uttar Pradesh | Banaras Brocades and Sarees, Lucknow Chikan Craft, Kalanamak Rice, Firozabad Glass, Agra Leather Footwear |
| Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand Tejpat, Munsyari Rajma, Aipan, Berinag Tea |
| West Bengal | Darjeeling Tea, Banglar Rasogolla, Joynagar Moa, Nakshi Kantha, Banglar Nolen Gur |
Some GIs belong to more than one state. Basmati covers Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir; Kolhapuri Chappal covers Karnataka and Maharashtra; Phulkari covers Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan; and Araku Valley Arabica Coffee covers Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
First GI Tag in India and Other "Firsts"
- First GI tag of India: Darjeeling Tea (word and logo), West Bengal, registered in 2004-05.
- Next on the register after Darjeeling Tea: Pochampalli Ikat (Telangana), Chanderi Sarees (Madhya Pradesh), Kotpad Handloom Fabric (Odisha), Kancheepuram Silk (Tamil Nadu), Mysore Agarbathi (Karnataka), Kota Doria (Rajasthan) and Aranmula Kannadi (Kerala).
- First foreign GI on the Indian register: Peruvian Pisco (Peru), followed by Champagne (France), Napa Valley wines (USA) and Scotch Whisky (UK).
- Rasagola question: West Bengal holds Banglar Rasogolla, and Odisha holds a separate GI for Odisha Rasagola. Both are valid GIs.
How to Remember GI Tags State-Wise (Tricks)
- City + product = state. Most GI names start with the place: Gwalior and Khajuraho are in Madhya Pradesh, Kinnaur and Chamba in Himachal, Banaras and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, Unjha and Surat in Gujarat.
- Group by type. Learn the silks (Muga: Assam, Mysore: Karnataka, Kancheepuram: Tamil Nadu, Bhagalpur: Bihar, Kuchai: Jharkhand) and the sweets (Rasogolla: West Bengal, Rasagola: Odisha, Dharwad Pedha: Karnataka, Tirupathi Laddu: Andhra Pradesh, Mohanthal: Gujarat) together.
- Remember the year's leaders: "MP, Bengal, Himachal, Jharkhand" for 2025-26 (26, 24, 13, 11).
Common Mistakes in GI Tag Questions
- Writing Darjeeling Tea as 2003. The Act came into force in 2003, but GI registrations began in 2004-05.
- Saying the GI Registry is in New Delhi or Mumbai. It is in Chennai.
- Giving 20 years for validity. A GI lasts 10 years and can be renewed (patents last 20 years).
- Treating 822 as 822 Indian products. The count includes logo registrations and foreign GIs.
- Confusing most GIs overall (Uttar Pradesh) with most new GIs in 2025-26 (Madhya Pradesh).
- Putting Kinnauri Apple or Sepu Vadi in Uttarakhand. Both are from Himachal Pradesh (Sepu Vadi is from Mandi).
GI Tags Questions with Answers (Practice Set)
Q1. Which was the first product in India to get a GI tag? (a) Mysore Silk (b) Darjeeling Tea (c) Kancheepuram Silk (d) Basmati Answer: (b) Darjeeling Tea, registered in 2004-05.
Q2. The Geographical Indications Registry of India is located at: (a) New Delhi (b) Mumbai (c) Chennai (d) Kolkata Answer: (c) Chennai.
Q3. A registered GI in India is valid for: (a) 5 years (b) 10 years (c) 15 years (d) 20 years Answer: (b) 10 years, and it can be renewed.
Q4. How many GIs were on India's GI register as of 31 March 2026? (a) 658 (b) 722 (c) 822 (d) 1,000 Answer: (c) 822.
Q5. Which state recorded the highest number of new GI registrations in 2025-26? (a) West Bengal (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Himachal Pradesh (d) Uttar Pradesh Answer: (b) Madhya Pradesh, with 26 (West Bengal was second with 24).
Q6. The Mandar, a folk drum that received a GI tag in 2026, belongs to: (a) Odisha (b) Chhattisgarh (c) Jharkhand (d) Assam Answer: (c) Jharkhand.
Q7. Kinnauri Apple, Kinnauri Topi and Sepu Vadi received GI tags for which state? (a) Uttarakhand (b) Himachal Pradesh (c) Ladakh (d) Sikkim Answer: (b) Himachal Pradesh.
Q8. Which of these is NOT a "natural goods" GI? (a) Makrana Marble (b) Lac of Purulia (c) Feni (d) Ambaji White Marble Answer: (c) Feni. Goa's Feni is registered as a manufactured good.
Q9. In which year was India's GI Act passed? (a) 1995 (b) 1999 (c) 2003 (d) 2005 Answer: (b) 1999. It came into force in 2003.
Q10. Which state has the highest total number of GI tags in India? (a) Tamil Nadu (b) Karnataka (c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Maharashtra Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh (81 as of December 2025, per PIB).
Practise more static GK and current affairs in the SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 06 and the SSC CGL Tier 1 Mock: Current Affairs September 2026.
GI Tags in India FAQs
How many GI tags are there in India in 2026?
The GI Registry's official register lists 822 GIs as of 31 March 2026. A few more, such as Jharkhand's Mandar and Gujarat's Ambaji Mohanthal, have been registered since then.
What is the full form of GI tag?
GI stands for Geographical Indication. It is a type of intellectual property protected in India under the GI Act, 1999.
Which state has the most GI tags in India?
Uttar Pradesh (81 as of December 2025), followed by Tamil Nadu (76). In 2025-26 alone, Madhya Pradesh added the most (26).
Which is the latest GI tag of India?
Among the latest are Jharkhand's Mandar folk drum (September 2026) and Gujarat's Ambaji Mohanthal prasad (October 2026). The last entry on the March 2026 register is Himachal Handmade Galicha.
Which was the first GI tag in India?
Darjeeling Tea from West Bengal, registered in 2004-05.
How long is a GI tag valid?
10 years, renewable for further 10-year periods. Since the 2025 amendment, the renewal fee is ₹500.
Who gives the GI tag in India?
The Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry).
Practice Next
- Mock tests: SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 06, SSC CHSL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 03, RRB NTPC General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01 and Banking PO and Clerk Current Affairs Mock Test September 2026.
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- Exam details: SSC CGL 2026.
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