A Glance at the GI Tags of 2025: India’s New Regional Icons

In 2025, India’s Geographical Indication (GI) registry continued to expand, officially recognising products whose qualities and reputations are deeply tied to their regions of origin. With around 658 GI‑tagged products now officially registered across the country, India stands out as one of the most diverse nations in terms of protected regional products. These GI recognitions celebrate India’s cultural, artisanal, and agricultural heritage while providing economic value to local communities. Below is a state-wise overview of the GI tags 2025, highlighting products that represent unique regional identity and craftsmanship.

Tamil Nadu: Heritage Products

Tamil Nadu had an active year for GI recognitions in 2025, with both agricultural and craft products securing formal protection. The Kumbakonam Betel Leaf, cultivated in the fertile Cauvery delta, was granted GI status for its distinct aroma and taste. Other recognised items included Woraiyur cotton sarees, Thooyamalli rice, Kavindapadi nattu sakkarai, Namakkal makkal pathirangal, and Ambasamudram choppu saman, illustrating the state’s efforts to preserve local artisanal identity and regional food heritage.

Telangana: Warangal Chapata Chilli

Telangana added Warangal Chapata Chilli to its GI record in 2025, recognising its unique flavour and cultivation tied to Warangal’s soil and climate. The GI tag provides local farmers with a formal identity and ensures the chilli’s regional reputation is protected in domestic and international markets.

Uttar Pradesh: Expanding the Craft and Artisan Portfolio

Uttar Pradesh continued its GI leadership with new recognitions such as Mathura Zari Poshak, Meerut Bugle, Banaras Tabla, Pilkhuwa Hand Block Print, Bareilly Cane & Bamboo Craft, and Tharu Embroidery. These additions cover textiles, metalwork, and artistic crafts, reflecting the state’s deep-rooted cultural and artisanal traditions.

Gujarat: Ambaji Marble

In 2025, Ambaji Marble was granted a GI tag, highlighting its milky-white colour, fine grain, and durability. Quarried in Ambaji, this marble has been used in temples and monuments for centuries, and the GI status recognises its geological, aesthetic, and cultural uniqueness.

West Bengal: Handloom

West Bengal expanded its handloom heritage in 2025 with recognitions for Tangail Cotton Sarees, Korial Sarees, and Garad Silk Sarees. Each product reflects the weaving techniques and local aesthetics unique to its region, reinforcing the state’s role as a centre for traditional textiles.

Odisha: Tribal Art and Agrarian Specialities

Odisha’s 2025 GI recognitions included tribal art forms such as Lanjia Saura Painting and Dungaria Kondh Embroidered Shawl, as well as agricultural and culinary products like Dhenkanal Magji, Mayurbhanj Kai Chutney, Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjals, Koraput Kalajeera Rice, and Gajapati Date Palm Jaggery. These items represent the state’s rich cultural diversity and agricultural heritage.

Arunachal Pradesh: Highland Crops and Crafts

Arunachal Pradesh secured GI status for Khamti Rice, a high-altitude rice variety, and tribal crafts, including Adi Kiker (ginger), Handmade Carpet, and Wancho Wooden Craft. These recognitions highlight the state’s unique tribal craftsmanship and agricultural practices adapted to its mountainous terrain. In late 2025, Yak Churpi — a traditional high‑altitude cheese made from yak milk — was officially granted Geographical Indication status. This product is deeply tied to the Himalayan pastoral communities of Arunachal Pradesh and is prized for its dense texture, rich nutritional content, and long shelf life. The 2025 GI tag protects the authentic production methods passed down through generations and formally recognises Yak Churpi as a unique regional speciality. 

Maharashtra: Agricultural Specialities

Maharashtra added products like Panchincholi Tamarind, Borsuri Tur Dal, and Dagdi Jowar of Jalna to its GI registry in 2025. These products highlight the agricultural diversity of the state and emphasise regional cultivation methods and distinctiveness.

Goa: Agricultural Heritage

Goa took steps to protect local agricultural products, including the Goa Mankurad Mango. This GI recognition highlights the tropical produce unique to the state and its regional cultivation techniques.

Jammu & Kashmir: Gucci Mushroom and Kashmir Namda

Jammu & Kashmir added two distinct products to its GI registry in 2025. Gucci Mushroom is a speciality mushroom cultivated under unique climatic conditions in the region, celebrated for its delicate texture, rich aroma, and nutritional value. Kashmir Namda, on the other hand, is a hand-felted wool rug made using traditional Kashmiri techniques. These rugs are not only durable and functional but are also a canvas of cultural expression, often featuring intricate designs that reflect the heritage of the valley.

Kerala: Kannadippaya 

Kerala’s Kannadippaya earned GI recognition in 2025, highlighting the intricate weaving skills of the state’s indigenous tribal communities. This traditional mat is made using locally sourced natural fibres and handloom techniques that have been passed down through generations. Beyond its practical use, Kannadippaya represents the cultural identity of Kerala’s tribal artisans, showcasing their craftsmanship to the wider world.

Uttar Pradesh: Banaras Metal Casting

In Uttar Pradesh, Banaras Metal Casting received GI status, recognising centuries-old techniques used in creating decorative and functional metal items. Artisans in Banaras employ traditional methods to craft items ranging from household utensils to temple artefacts, often featuring elaborate designs and intricate patterns. The GI recognition helps preserve this craft, providing local metalworkers with formal acknowledgement and protection for their specialised skills.

Assam: Majuli Masks

Assam’s Majuli Masks received GI recognition in 2025, celebrating the island’s rich tribal performance traditions. These handcrafted masks are used in the Sattriya dance and other ritual performances, embodying the vibrant storytelling, religious symbolism, and artistic skill of the Majuli communities. Made from locally sourced bamboo, clay, and natural dyes, each mask is unique and demonstrates the deep connection between craft, culture, and community life.

Emerging GI Activity in Other Regions

States like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar also saw GI applications and recognitions in 2025. Andhra Pradesh advanced protections for products such as Kollapur Benishan Mango, Nalgonda Nimma (acid lime), and Jagtial Sesame, while Bihar moved towards recognising Samastipur Turmeric and other local crops. These developments show the dynamic and expanding GI landscape across India.