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Art & Culture

Uttar Pradesh leads India with over 70 GI tags

By TestNeeti Editorial Team 2 min readSource: timesofindia.indiatimes.comArticle 17 of 26

Varanasi has distinguished itself as the Geographical Indication (GI) capital, while Uttar Pradesh leads India with over 70 GI tags as of recent 2025-26 updates, spanning handicrafts, textiles, agricultural produce, food items and musical instruments. GI tags, protected under India's Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, certify products with unique qualities linked to their geographical origin, aligning with the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. Varanasi alone holds around 32 GI tags, including Banarasi Brocades and Sarees and Banaras Gulabi Meenakari. Lucknow Chikankari and Lucknow Zardozi are world-renowned, while Kannauj is the perfume capital known for its attars. Prayagraj's Allahabad Surkha Guava was UP's first GI tag, in 2008-09. The article notes the state's GI portfolio is diverse and decentralised, transforming intangible heritage into economic assets.

Key Facts & Details

9 points
  • 1
    Uttar Pradesh leads India with over 70 GI tags as of recent 2025-26 updates, and Varanasi is described as the GI capital.
  • 2
    GI tags are protected under India's Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
  • 3
    Varanasi alone holds around 32 GI tags, including Banarasi Brocades and Sarees and Banaras Gulabi Meenakari.
  • 4
    Lucknow Chikankari and Lucknow Zardozi embroidery are world-renowned UP crafts.
  • 5
    Prayagraj's Allahabad Surkha Guava was Uttar Pradesh's first GI tag, in 2008-09.
  • 6
    UP's GI portfolio aligns with the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme and spans crafts, textiles, produce and musical instruments.

Deep Dive

  • +
    Kannauj is the perfume capital known for its attars and rose water, while Malihabad supplies the Malihabadi Dusseheri Mango.
  • +
    Western UP clusters include Saharanpur wooden handicrafts, Moradabad metal craft, Firozabad glassware and Agra Petha.
  • +
    The article notes GI tags deliver premium pricing, export growth and employment for artisans, though awareness gaps and counterfeiting remain challenges.
Q

Exam Focus

Examiners may ask which city is India's GI capital, how many GI tags Varanasi holds, or which product was UP's first GI tag.

Related Topics

Geographical IndicationUttar PradeshODOPHandicrafts

Exam Relevance & Angle

Uttar Pradesh's dominance in GI tags ties intangible cultural heritage to tangible economic gains, supporting lakhs of weavers and artisans, boosting exports and reinforcing schemes like ODOP and Atmanirbhar Bharat. It illustrates how intellectual property protection can drive inclusive rural and urban growth.

Target Exams

UPSC CSESSC CGLState PCS

Background & Context

A Geographical Indication (GI) identifies goods originating from a defined region whose quality or reputation is tied to that place, and is protected in India under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The One District One Product (ODOP) initiative promotes a signature product from each district to boost local manufacturing, employment and exports. GI recognition legally shields authentic producers from imitation, enabling premium pricing and access to national and international markets, and is often paired with cluster development and common facility centres.

Related GK Concepts

Must Know
Geographical IndicationOne District One ProductGI Act 1999Banarasi silkAtmanirbhar Bharat

Test Yourself

1 / 3

Which city is described as India's GI capital in the article?

Source

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

This topic is important for:

UPSC CSE

Exam Guide Mock Test

SSC CGL

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Uttar Pradesh leads India with over 70 GI tags — Current Affairs 2026-07-06