In November 2025, the Government of India (GoI) granted Geographical Indication (GI) registration for Sikkim’s two traditional Lepcha musical instruments namely, ‘Tungbuk’ and ‘Pumtong Pulit’ under the “Musical Instrument” category of the Geographical Indication Registry (GIR).
Exam Hints:
- What? Granting GI Certificates
- To ? Two Lepcha Musical Instruments (Sikkim)
- Instruments Name: Tungbuk and Pumtong Pulit
- Category: Musical Instrument
- Granting Authority: GIR
- Where? During 1st Tribal Business Conclave (New Delhi, Delhi)
- Co-Organisers of Conclave: MoTA, DPIIT (MoC&I) and MoC
Key Details:
Certificates Presented : The GI registration certificates were formally presented during the 1st Tribal Business Conclave held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The conclave was organised jointly by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) and the Ministry of Culture.
Received by: The GI registration certificates were received by Ugen Palzo Lepcha, the President of the Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum (MLAS) and Namgyal Lepcha, cultural secretary of MLAS, who had submitted the GI tag applications for Sikkim Lepcha Tungbuk and Sikkim Lepcha Pumtong Palit respectively, at the event.
Support: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Gangtok(Sikkim) provided both financial and technical assistance, supporting the GI application process for nearly two years.
About Lepcha Musical Instruments:
Tungbuk: It is a three-string instrument made of softwood and parchment. This musical instrument is 36 inches in length, with a diameter of 11 inches and a height of 6 inches.
- It is mainly used as an accompaniment to music and local dance of Sikkim.
Pumtong Pulit: It is a four hole Bamboo flute, specifically used to replicate the sound of nature.
- The name “Pulit” in Lepcha denotes a traditional wind or flute-type instrument.
About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
Significance: GI tag indicates that a product has a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation inherent to that location.
- It provides legal protection to GI-tagged products in India and prevents their unauthorized use by others.
Administered by: GI tags in India, are administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on September 15, 2003.
Time Period: The registration of GI is valid for a period of 10 years from date of registration and can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
About Geographical Indication Registry (GIR):
Headquarters- Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN)
Established- 2003
