Do you know what a GI tag is? This quiz will help you find out 

A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign that appears on items and refers to a specific geographic region. The usage of a GI tag is an indication of the product's origin and serves as a certification that the product has certain attributes, is created using traditional methods, or has a high reputation due to its geographical origin. GI tags may also highlight specific qualities of a product that are due to human factors found in the product’s place of origin, such as specific manufacturing skills and traditions. How well do you know about the GI tags in India? Take this quiz to find out. 

Q1. Which was the first Indian product to get the Geographical Indication tag? 

(a) Aranmula Kannadi mirror 

(b) Darjeeling tea 

(c) Katarni rice 

(d) Madhubani paintings 

Q2. How many Indian products have received the GI tag till date? 

(a) 405 

(b) 370 

(c) 625 

(d) 148 

Q3. Which of the following Act governs the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in India? 

(a) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 

(b) Indian Copyright Act, 1947 

(c) The Design Act, 2000 

(d) The Patents Act, 1970 

Q4. Which organisation is entrusted with issue of GI tags in India? 

(a) World Trade Organisation 

(b) Patent Authority of India 

(c) Geographical Indication Registry 

(d) Airports Authority of India 

Q5. Which of the following is an advantage of getting the GI tag? 

(a) It helps consumers to get quality products with desired characteristics. 

(b) It provides legal protection to the products. 

(c) It promotes the economic prosperity of the producers of GI tag goods. 

(d) All of these 

(A) Only A 

(B) Only B 

(C) Only A and C 

(D) All of these 

ANSWERS 

Q1. (b) 

The word Darjeeling tea and its logo was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag in 2004. The tea is made from the Chinese variety of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, which is grown and processed in the West Bengal districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.  

Q2. (a) 

A total of 405 Indian products such as Mizo ginger, Kanyakumari clove, Mau saree, Edayur chilli, among others have been given the GI tag till date. The complete list of year-wise, registered products that also includes a few foreign items can be accessed via the official website of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks. 

Q3. (a) 

The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, mandates the use of a GI tag. It is an Act of the Indian Parliament that protects geographical indications and came into force in 2003. The GI tag ensures that the popular product name can only be used by people who are registered as authorised users or at the very least, those who live within the geographic territory. 

Q4. (c) 

The GI tag is given by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. 

Q5. (d) 

GI tag products help consumers get quality products with desired characteristics, provide legal protection to the GI products from a particular region and promote the economic prosperity of the producers of GI tag goods. Hence, having a GI tag ensures multiple benefits for the producers as well as the consumers.