6 more Products from TN Gets GI Tag, bringing TN’s total GI Tag Products to 69

In April 2025, Chennai (TN)-based Geographical Indication (GI) Registry under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 6 more products from Tamil Nadu (TN) including,  the famed Puliyankudi Acid Lime, Panruti Cashew, Virudhunagar Samba Vathal (dried red chillies), among others.

• With this recognition, the total number of GI tag products from TN reaches to 69 which consolidate its position as the 2nd highest Indian state in terms of number of GI-certified products, only after Uttar Pradesh (UP), which leads the county with 79 GI products.
• GI registry has also granted GI certificates to 8 more traditional products of Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) and one each from Telangana, Assam and Kerala.
• With this, total number of GI-registered crafts from Kashmir has reached to 15, of which 7 crafts having already been granted GI certificates.

List of New GI Products:

Key Features of TN’s 6 New GI Products:

i.Panruti Palappazham (Panruti Jackfurit): The commercial cultivation of Panruti Jackfruit is concentrated mainly in Panruti town in Cuddalore district of TN, is the largest producer and exporter of jackfruit in India.

• It has unique aroma and its seeds are large and flat, typically surrounded by thick pulp. The seeds of this jackfruit are rich in starch and protein.

ii.Panruti Cashew: It is mainly grown in Panruti region which is also called the Cashew capital of TN, due to favourable climate conditions like: tropical climate of the region and well-drained sandy loam or red soils.

• It is a highly prized variety of cashew due to its sweet, mildly nutty flavor, combined with a crisp yet tender texture.
• The cashew tree in Panruti region produces medium-sized, well-formed nuts which makes them ideal for high-quality production.
• The nut is generally in C-shape which makes it easily recognizable and makes it distinct from other varieties of cashew.

iii.Puliyankudi Acid Lime: It is known for its unique tangy aromatic flavor, high juice yield, high ascorbic acid content, rich Vitamin C content and thin peel (around 3 millimeter (mm)) that is rich in essential oils.

• The pulp of the lime is generally pale green to yellowish-green in colour. It is highly prized for its high juice content.
• It is mainly cultivated in Puliyagudi region and is often referred to as the Lemon City of TN. Apart from Puliyagudi, it is grown in Tenkasi district of TN, covering 2,178 hectares (ha) of land and producing nearly 12, 196 tonnes annually.

iv.Virudhunagar Samba Vathal (Red Dried Chillies): It is largely grown in Virudhunagar district, TN. It is a distinguished variety of red chilly due to its unique flavor, moderate heat (with capsaicin content of 0.24%), and bright red colour. It is mostly used in traditional spice belnds, pickles and seasonings.

• These red chilies have a long, slender shape ranging from 6-6.5 centimeter (cm), with sharp tips and bulged shoulders, which makes them distinct in appearance from other varieties of red chilies.
• Other than Virudhunagar, it is cultivated in Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, and Thoothukudi districts of TN.

v.Chettikulam Small Onion: Chettikulam is a key hub for small onions (shallots) cultivation, is located in the Aalathur block of Perambalur district.

• The high pungency of these onions is mainly due to high sulphur (S) content found in red loamy and black soil, with high clay content in Chettikulam region, which contributes to their distinctive sharp taste.
• The pinkish Chettikulam onions are uniform in size typically small, usually ranging from 2 to 3 cm in diameter.
• These onions have 15 to 18 layers of dried outer scales. These extra thick layers of onions provide protection to the inner bulb which further enhances their shelf-life, typically ranging between 8 to 9 months.

vi.Ramanadu Chithiraikar Rice: It is a traditional variety of rice which exhibits some unique features like: bold and round grains, high nutritional value, and good pest resistance, provides substantial benefits to local farmers.

• This variety of rice has ability to prevent hunger for several hours makes its staple in many households particularly in the form of porridge (rice kanji).

Key Features of J&K’s 8 New GI Products:

i.Kashmir Gabba (hand-embroidered woolen floor covering):The Gabba is a traditional Kashmiri floor covering, distinguished by its intricate embroidery and vibrant colors.

• Artisans meticulously hand-embroider patterns onto woolen fabrics, creating durable and decorative pieces that enhance the aesthetic of Kashmiri homes.

ii.Kashmir Namda (traditional felted wool rug): Namda is a felted wool rug crafted by compressing and felting wool fibers, resulting in a dense, durable mat. Often adorned with floral designs, Namdas serve both functional and decorative purposes in Kashmiri households

iii.Kashmir Wagguv (intricate willow basketry):Wagguv refers to the traditional art of weaving baskets from willow twigs. These baskets are renowned for their strength and flexibility, and are commonly used for storage and transportation.

iv.Kashmir Shikara (wooden houseboat craftsmanship): Shikaras are wooden houseboats that ply the waters of Kashmir’s Dal Lake. Constructed from cedar wood, these boats are intricately carved and painted, reflecting the region’s rich woodcraft traditions.

v.Kashmir Tilla (gold/silver thread embroidery on textiles):Tilla embroidery involves embellishing textiles with gold or silver threads, creating luxurious patterns. This form of embroidery is often used to adorn shawls, pherans, and other garments, adding a touch of opulence to traditional attire.

vi.Kashmir Samovar (handcrafted copper tea kettles):The Samovar is a traditional copper tea kettle, prized for its design and functionality. Artisans handcraft these kettles with intricate engravings, making them both practical for brewing tea and valuable as decorative pieces.

vii.Kashmir Honey (high-altitude multifloral honey):Harvested from the high-altitude regions of Kashmir, this multifloral honey is known for its rich flavor and medicinal properties. Beekeepers collect nectar from a variety of flowers, resulting in a unique blend that captures the essence of Kashmir’s diverse flora.

viii.Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving (ornamental wooden artifacts):Kashmir’s walnut wood carving is a distinguished craft, utilizing the region’s native Juglans regia trees. Artisans carve intricate designs into walnut wood, producing items such as tables, jewelry boxes, and trays.

Key Features of other GI Products:

i.The Warangal Chapata Chilli: It is also known as tomato chilli due to its bright red colour (presence of high oleoresin content 6.37%-6.75%) and is round shape. It is mainly grown in Warangal, Hanumakoda, Mulugu and Jayshankar Bhupalapally districts of Telangana, produces 10,000 to 11, 000 tonnes of this chilli annually.

• It has become the 18th product from Telangana and overall 665th product in India to get the GI Tag. This also marks the 3rd agricultural product from Telangana following Banaganapalli mango and Tandur Red Gram to get GI Tag.

ii.Assamese Jewellery ‘Axiomiya Gohona’: It is a collection of handcrafted traditional necklaces, earrings, bracelets and finger rings which include motifs of birds like: fan-tailed pigeon (Lokaparo), and Hawk eagle (Hensorai); traditional musical instruments such as drums (dhol) and horn pipe pair (Juripepa); cultural  symbols of Assam like: Assamese headgear (Japi), among others.

• The gold ornaments also feature some vibrant red, black, green blue and white gemstones and enamel.
• This handcrafted jewellery is mainly produced in the district of Barpeta in lower Assam, Nagaon in central Assam, Jorhat in upper Assam.

iii.Kannadippaya: It is a mat which features unique square designs made from red bamboo (Teinostachyum wightii), locally known as Njoonjileetta, Njoojora, among others. The word ‘Kannadippaya’ is derived from words ‘Kannadi’ which means mirror in Malayalam, and ‘paya’ means mat.

• With this recognition, it has become the 1st tribal handicraft product from Kerala to get the GI tag.
• The craft is mainly preserved by the Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, and Kadar tribal communities and by the Ulladan, Malayarayan artisans in Idduki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Palakkad districts.

About the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT):
Secretary – Amardeep Sing Bhatia
Headquarters – New Delhi
Established – 1995