GI Tag to Tomato Chilli and Kannadippaya

• 05 Apr 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

Telangana’s Warangal Chapata Chilli (Tomato Chilli) and Kerala’s tribal handicraft Kannadippaya have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, further enriching India’s GI registry, which now has over 600 products listed. 

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag 

• About: A GI tag is a name or sign used on certain products that correspond to a specific geographical location or origin. 
  • The GI tag ensures that only authorised users or those residing in the geographical territory are allowed to use the popular product name. 
    • It also protects the product from being copied or imitated by others. 
  • A registered GI is valid for 10 years and can be renewed. 
  • GI registration is overseen by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 
• Legal Framework: 
  • Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 
  • WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). 

What are the Key Facts About Warangal Chapata Chilli? 

• About: It is Telangana’s 18th GI-tagged product and the third agricultural GI, after Banaganapalli Mango and Tandur Red Gram. 

 

• Features:  It is known for its bright red colour and round tomato-like shape. 
  • The chilli is less spicy but lends a bright red colour with extensive flavour due to its capsicum oleoresin properties (anti-obesogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties). 
• Types:  It exists in three fruit types: Single Patti, Double Patti, and Odalu. 
• Cultivation: The Warangal Chapata is under cultivation in the villages of Nagaram of Jammikunta mandal for more than 80 years while Nadikuda village and mandal could be the oldest source. 
  • Its unique characteristics can be attributed to the red and black soil of the region.  
  • The area's unique soil, water, and weather make it hard to grow this crop anywhere else. 

What are the Key Facts About Kannadippaya? 

• About: The recognition makes Kannadippaya the first tribal handicraft product from Kerala to receive the GI tag. 

• Origin: The craft is primarily preserved by the Oorali, Mannan, Muthuva, Malayan, and Kadar tribal communities and by the Ulladan, Malayarayan, and Hill Pulaya artisans in Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, and Palakkad districts. 
  • In the past, Kannadippaya was once presented to kings by tribal communities as a mark of honour. 
• Key Features: The product derives its name, which literally means mirror mat, from its unique reflective pattern 
  • It is made from the soft inner layers of reed bamboo (Teinostachyum wightii), the mat is known for its unique properties like providing warmth during winter and cooling effects in summer. 

What are the Other Recent GI Tagged Products? 

Product	State	Year	Fact
Banaras Thandai	Uttar Pradesh	2024	Traditional spiced beverage associated with Varanasi.
Assam Bihu Dhol	Assam	2024	Traditional drum integral to Bihu celebrations.
Kasti Coriander	Maharashtra	2023	Known for its distinctive fragrance and taste
Koraput Kalajeera Rice	Odisha	2023	Aromatic black paddy rice, often referred to as the 'Prince of Rice'.
Uttarakhand Red Rice	Uttarakhand	2023	High-altitude rice known for its nutritional benefits and distinct aroma.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Q. Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status? (2015)

1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees 
2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma 
3. Tirupathi Laddu 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 only 
(b) 2 and 3 only 
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (c) 

Q. India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to (2018)

(a) ILO 
(b) IMF 
(c) UNCTAD 
(d) WTO 

Ans: (d)