The Indian government has been putting a lot of effort into improving and reforming the IPR sector, and now there’s another milestone to add to the list. Recently, the government has turned its focus to Geographical Indications—better known as GI tags—and is working on making the system stronger and more transparent. As part of this push, DPIIT draft guidelines define how the GI logo and tagline should be used and have even opened the door for public suggestions. This is a big step toward improving how GI-tagged products are identified and promoted. Keep reading to understand what GI tags actually are and why these new guidelines matter.
What Is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag and How Was It Managed Before?
Before diving into the new guidelines for GI tags, let’s first understand what a GI tag actually is and how it was managed earlier. A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is basically another type of intellectual property, just like patents, trademark, or copyrights. But instead of protecting an invention or a brand from IP infringement, a GI tag protects products that are special because of where they come from. It’s a label given to goods that have unique qualities, reputation, or characteristics linked to a specific region. DPIIT draft guidelines. Over the past few years, many new products have joined India’s GI list. In 2025, Tamil Nadu’s Kumbakonam Betel Leaf got its GI tag for its distinct flavour and traditional cultivation practices. In 2024, the Andaman Karen Musley Rice was recognized for its heritage value, and Maharashtra’s Dagdi Jowar of Jalna earned its tag for its unique hard-textured grain. These additions show India’s growing efforts to protect and celebrate its culturally rooted and geographically unique products.
Now coming to the legal framework, GI tags in India are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which sets the rules for registering and safeguarding these products. While the Act ensured product authenticity, there was still no standard system for how a common GI logo or tagline should be used across the country. Every product had its own style of branding, which often confused. To solve this, the government introduced a unified national GI logo and tagline in 2018—but the proper usage guidelines were still missing. Things changed after the new update was made by the government.
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What Are the New GI Tag Guidelines Released by the Indian Government?
Now, let’s get into the new guidelines the government has introduced for GI tags. As reported by official government sources and various media outlets, this update is a major step toward making GI-tagged products easier to recognize and promote. DPIIT draft guidelines that clearly explain how the official GI logo and tagline should be used across the country. For the first time, the rules spell out exactly who can use the logo without any permission—like government departments, embassies, and registered GI producers—and who needs to apply for approval, such as e-commerce platforms, retailers, and private organizations hosting events. The guidelines also set clear standards for proper logo usage, helping prevent distortion, misuse, or misleading branding.
One of the most important parts of this update is the government’s decision to invite public comments on the GI logo and tagline. People can share what they think about the new logo, whether the tagline represents India’s GI heritage well, and how the usage guidelines can be improved. This open-feedback approach shows that the government wants the GI system to be shaped not just by officials, but by the communities and industries that actually rely on GI protection. It’s a chance for the public to help create clearer, more practical, and more inclusive rules for one of India’s most unique intellectual property assets.
Conclusion
The Indian government’s DPIIT draft guidelines for GI tags mark an important step toward strengthening the country’s IPR ecosystem. By standardizing how the GI logo and tagline should be used—and by inviting public feedback—the government is aiming for a system that is clearer, more transparent, and more supportive of genuine producers. As India continues to promote its unique regional products on the global stage, these updated guidelines could play a key role in building trust, boosting visibility, and protecting the cultural identity behind every GI-tagged item, and to catch up on other latest IP news from India and around the world.
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