## Policy Summary: Promotion of GI Tagged Indian Textiles
The Ministry of Textiles is actively promoting the registration and protection of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged handloom and handicraft products across India through the Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA) and National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), implemented by the Development Commissioner (DC) Handloom and the DC Handicrafts, respectively. These initiatives, operating under the Geographical Indications of Goods Registration and Protection Act, 1999, aim to safeguard the interests of artisans and producers by preventing unauthorized use of GI-tagged products.
Financial assistance is provided for various activities, including:
* Up to ₹1.50 lakh for registration of designs/products.
* Up to ₹1.50 lakh for training personnel in implementing and enforcing GI registration.
* Support for organizing seminars and workshops.
* Up to ₹1.50 lakh, or actual expenses as approved, for enforcement of GI registration, legal cases, and preparation of legal documentation.
As of August 2025, 106 handloom products, 6 product logos, and 227 handicraft products have been registered under the GI Act, 1999. The DC Handloom and DC Handicrafts also promote GI-tagged products in export markets. Workshops and seminars are conducted nationwide to educate artisans about the GI Act, and exhibitions are organized to promote GI handloom products, including participation in crafts melas and the Dilli Haat program. A recent event, "GI Beyond 'Virasat se VikasTak'," highlighted the cultural and historical significance of GI-tagged handloom products.
Furthermore, the Central Silk Board implements the Silk Samagra-2 scheme to develop the silk sector, including support for GI-tagged silk products. State Handlooms & Textiles Departments are advised to prioritize the protection of GI-registered handloom products and the DC Handicrafts has established GI Help desks in each Handicraft Service Center to assist artisans and stakeholders with GI-related issues.
Registered users of GI products can utilize the GI Act, 1999 to seek legal recourse against illegal manufacturing and marketing. Financial assistance is also available for standardization efforts, legal fees, and safeguarding against issues impacting the handicraft sector.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Textiles: The government ministry responsible for textiles in India, promoting GI registration.
Geographical Indication GI of Goods Registration Protection Act 1999: The Indian law that provides for the registration and protection of Geographical Indications related to goods.
Handloom Marketing Assistance HMA: A scheme aimed at supporting the marketing of handloom products.
National Handloom Development Programme NHDP: A program focused on the development of the handloom sector.
National Handicrafts Development Programme NHDP: A program focused on the development of the handicraft sector.
Dilli Haat: A crafts village and food bazaar in Delhi, India; a venue for promoting GI handloom products.
Central Silk Board: An organization implementing the Silk Samagra2 scheme for silk sector development.
Silk Samagra2: A scheme implemented by the Central Silk Board for the development of the silk sector in India.
Ministry of Textiles
PROMOTION OF GI TAGGED INDIAN TEXTILES
Posted On: 05 AUG 2025 4:34PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India promotes registration under Geographical Indication (GI) of Goods
(Registration & Protection) Act 1999, in respect of handloom and handicraft products in pan India under the
scheme Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA), National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
implemented by O/o Development Commissioner (Handloom) and National Handicrafts Development
Programme (NHDP) implemented by O/o Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles
wherein financial assistance is provided for the following:
1. Rs. 1.50 lakh for meeting the expenses in registering the designs/products.
2. Rs.1.50 lakh to impart training to personnel of IA and for effective enforcement of G.I.
registration.
3. Also, financial assistance is provided for organizing seminars, workshops etc.
Total 106 handloom products, 6 products logos and 227 handicraft products have been registered under the GI
Act, 1999. GI handloom products and handicraft products are also promoted in export market by O/o Dc
(Handloom) and the O/o DC (Handicrafts). Various workshop/seminars are conducted across the country for
sensitization of artisans on GI Act including other topics under the NHDP Scheme run by DC (Handicrafts).
Further, to promote the GI handloom products exhibitions are organised across the country including
participation in various crafts melas and Dilli Haat programme. Recently, an event - GI & Beyond "Virasat se
VikasTak", a GI Seminar was organized highlighting and to promote the unique cultural and historical
significance of GI-tagged handloom products from various regions, demonstrating their authenticity and
craftsmanship to a global audience.
Government of India through Central Silk Board is implementing “Silk Samagra-2” scheme for the
development of silk sector in the country and supporting states to enhance production of silk and silk products
including GI-tagged silk products.
The Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 provides legal protection
to the GI of goods etc. and prevents unauthorized use of these by others. Registered users of GI products have
rights under the GI Act, 1999 to approach the respective police authorities to safeguard their interests against
illegal manufacturing / marketing of GI registered handloom products. State Handlooms & Textiles
Departments have been advised to make special efforts to provide protection to such GI registered Handloom
products.
Financial assistance of up to ₹1.50 lakh (or actual, as approved by concerned department) is provided for
effective enforcement of GI registration, legal cases related to the protection of GIs, and preparation of legal
documentation.
Financial assistance for attaining standardization, legal fee for contesting cases and to take safeguards against
issues affecting the handicraft sector of the country as per actual and/or as approved by DC (Handicrafts). O/o
DC (Handicrafts) has also set up GI Help desk in each Handicraft Service Centers to provide assistance to
Handicraft artisans and other stakeholders on GI related issues.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA
MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
***
MAM/SMP
(Lok Sabha US Q2564)(Release ID: 2152551)