In December 2025, 5 new products from Tamil Nadu (TN) including: Woraiyur cotton sari, Kavindapadi nattu sakkarai (jaggery powder), Namakkal makkal pathirangal (soapstone cookware), the traditional Thooyamalli rice variety, and Ambasamudram choppu saman (wooden toys) received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).
- With this recognition, TN’s total GI-tagged products rise to 74, making it the second-highest state in India for GI-certified items, after Uttar Pradesh(UP).
Exam Hints:
- What? 5 new products from TN received GI tags
- Name of 5 Products:
- Woraiyur cotton sari;
- Kavindapadi nattu sakkarai (jaggery powder);
- Namakkal makkal pathirangal (soapstone cookware);
- Thooyamalli Rice;
- Ambasamudram choppu saman (wooden toys)
- Total GI Products from TN: 74(2nd highest in India)
- Authority: GIR, under DPIIT, MoC&I
About TN’s 5 New GI-Tagged Products :
Woraiyur cotton sari:
Applicant: In March 2022, Woraiyur Devanga Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Society applied for the recognition of Woraiyur cotton sari.
Production: This traditional handloom sari is mainly produced in Woraiyur, Kottathur, Paithamparai, and other clusters in the vicinity.
Weavers: The Devanga Chettiar Community, skilled weavers, has been the main driving force behind the Woraiyur cotton sarees in the state.
Key Features: The saree is known for its unique Korvai border, a continuous running pattern which includes block colour palettes, and geometric motifs.
- The sari features motifs of mango, bangle, geometric shapes, and pearl designs in the body and border.
Significance: The woraiyur sari traces its origin back in the historic weaving clusters of Manamedu in Tiruchi district (TN) during the Chola Empire.
Thooyamalli Rice:
Location : It is a native variety of rice in TN, grown mostly in all districts of the state but now-a-days, it is cultivated mainly in Kancheepuram district.
Unique Feature: Thooyamalli, meaning ‘pure jasmine’, is renowned for its fragrant aroma and high-quality grains, and is also popularly called ‘pearl rice’ for its shiny appearance.
Duration: The duration for samba crop is generally 135-140 days, including the nursery period of 30-35 days.
Health Benefits: It is rich in essential nutrients like: fibre, protein, iron, calcium, among others, offering various health benefits such as high fibre content helps in easy digestion.
- This rice variety has low Glycemic Index (GI), which is beneficial for diabetes patients.
Ambasamudram Choppu Samaan (Wooden Toys):
Applicant: Ambasamudram Bharani Mara Varna Kadasal Artisans Welfare Association, supported by Poompuhar and others has secured the GI tag for Ambasamudram Choppu Samaan (in handicrafts category).
Manufactured: These wooden toys are manufactured in Ambasamduram, the most mountainous of all taluks in TN.
Key Features: These are small brightly coloured wooden toys, known for their smooth texture and simple designs.
- These toys are mostly made in the shape of miniature wooden kitchen utensils (choppu saman) and spinning top (pambaram).
Material Used: These wooden toys, originating in Tirunveli district (TN), were traditionally made from trees like manjal kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba), teak and rosewood.
- The toymakers have switched to rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) and Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus).
Namakkal Makkal Pathirangal (soapstone cookware):
Applicant:Earlier, TN Handicrafts Development Corporation (Poompuhar) filed an application for GI tag for Namakkal soapstone utensils called ‘kalchatty’, but it was later withdrawn in 2019.
- So, in 2022, a new application was submitted by the Namakkal Stone Products Manufacturers and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Technology Development Centre which led to the successful certification this year.
Significance: These soapstone utensils are mainly used for cooking food that includes the use of tamarind and lime therefore, they are suitable for storing pickles, milk, and curd without any fear of corrosion or poisoning.
Kavinapadi nattu Sakkarai:
Applicant: The TN State Agricultural Marketing Board, supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum, applied for GI recognition for Kavinapadi nattu Sakkarai in the ‘food’ category.
Key Feature: This jaggery powder of Erode district (TN), is widely known for its sweetness and appealing golden-brown color.
Major Producer: This sugarcane jaggery is produced mainly in Erode district of TN. Also, Kavindapadi is a major jaggery-producing belt in TN, supported by extensive sugarcane cultivation by the Lower Bhavani Project canal.
About Geographical Indication (GI):
Global Framework: Internationally, GI products are administered under the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
Global Definition: The Article 22 of TRIPS agreement, defines the GI product as an indication which identifies a good as originating in the territory of a member, or regional locality in that territory, where, a given reputation or other features of the good is essentially due to its geographical origin.
Legal Protection in India: India, being a member of WTO, enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on September 15, 2003.
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister (CM)- Muthuvel Karunanidhi (M.K.) Stalin
Governor- Rvindra Narayana (R.N.)Ravi
Capital- Chennai
National Parks (NPs)- Guindy NP, Mukurthi NP
