Seven Traditional Products of West Bengal Receive GI Tag

Seven traditional products of West Bengal have been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, including the famous Nolen Gur Sandesh and Baruipur Guava.
This recognition will grant these traditional items global recognition, boost the local economy, and strengthen the state's cultural identity.

With these seven new additions, West Bengal now has a total of 33 GI-tagged items, covering a wide spectrum from food products to textile and handicraft art.

Detailed List of New GI-tagged Products from West Bengal

1. Nolen Gur-er Sandesh – A popular Bengali winter sweet made from chhena (curdled milk) and Nolen Gur (date palm jaggery).
2. Kamar Pukur White Bonde – A traditional sweet that reflects the distinct identity of this region.
3. Murshidabad Chhanabora – A renowned Bengali dessert made from chhena, known for its taste and texture.
4. Bishnupur Motichoor Laddu – Famous for its distinctive flavor, associated with the Bishnupur region.
5. Radhuni Pagal Rice – A unique variety of rice known for its aroma, flavor, and quality.
6. Malda's Nistari Silk Yarn – A silk yarn noted for its smoothness and shine, exclusively produced in Malda.
7. Baruipur Guava – A high-quality, locally grown guava known for its taste and quality.

What is a Geographical Indication (GI)?

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a type of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) that indicates that a product originates from a specific geographical location and possesses qualities, reputation, or characteristics inherent to that location.

Examples:

• Darjeeling Tea
• Banarasi Saree
• Kantha Embroidery
• Alphonso Mango

⚖️ Legal Framework of GI in India:

• Governed under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• This Act came into effect on 15th September 2003.

Key Authority:

• Geographical Indications Registry, located in Chennai.
• Functions under the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks.

 Objectives of the GI Tag:

1. Preservation of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.
2. Economic benefits to local artisans and farmers.
3. Prevention of counterfeiting and inferior imitations.
4. Promotion of exports.

 Features of the GI Tag:

📜 State-wise List of GI-tagged Products in India

25 GI Tag-based MCQs with answers:

📘 1–10: General Knowledge and Concept-Based Questions

1. Which of the following statements about GI tags is correct?
   A. It is an individually owned right.
   B. It is linked to the reputation or quality of a specific region.
   C. It is valid only for international products.
   D. It is given only for agricultural products.
   ✅ Answer: B
2. Which act in India governs GI tags?
   A. Trademarks Act, 1999
   B. GI Registration Act, 1999
   C. Copyright Act, 1957
   D. Patent Act, 1970
   ✅ Answer: B
3. Where is the GI Tag Registry located in India?
   A. Delhi
   B. Mumbai
   C. Chennai
   D. Kolkata
   ✅ Answer: C
4. For how many years is a GI tag valid?
   A. 5 years
   B. 10 years
   C. 15 years
   D. Permanent
   ✅ Answer: B
5. Which was India’s first GI-tagged product?
   A. Kanchipuram Saree
   B. Mysore Silk
   C. Darjeeling Tea
   D. Banarasi Saree
   ✅ Answer: C
6. What is the primary objective of a GI tag?
   A. Global promotion of the product
   B. Subsidies for farmers
   C. Preservation of traditional knowledge and regional uniqueness
   D. Tax exemption on exports
   ✅ Answer: C
7. Which of the following rights is NOT related to a GI tag?
   A. Collective rights
   B. Equivalent to trademark
   C. Individual intellectual property
   D. Cultural identity
   ✅ Answer: C
8. What types of products can receive GI tags?
   A. Only agricultural products
   B. Only handicrafts
   C. Only food products
   D. All of the above
   ✅ Answer: D
9. ‘Bidriware’ is a GI-tagged product from which state?
   A. Telangana
   B. Andhra Pradesh
   C. Karnataka
   D. Tamil Nadu
   ✅ Answer: C
10. The GI-tagged ‘Tirupati Laddu’ is associated with which temple?
    A. Thiruvananthapuram Temple
    B. Tirupati Balaji Temple
    C. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
    D. Shri Rameshwaram Temple
    ✅ Answer: B

📘 11–20: State-Specific GI Products

11. ‘Patan Patola’ is a GI-tagged product of which state?
    A. Rajasthan
    B. Gujarat
    C. Maharashtra
    D. Madhya Pradesh
    ✅ Answer: B
12. ‘Madhubani Painting’ belongs to which state?
    A. West Bengal
    B. Jharkhand
    C. Bihar
    D. Uttar Pradesh
    ✅ Answer: C
13. ‘Bhilwara Suiting’ has received the GI tag. Where is it from?
    A. Rajasthan
    B. Gujarat
    C. Uttarakhand
    D. Maharashtra
    ✅ Answer: A
14. ‘Kolhapuri Chappal’ is associated with Maharashtra and which other state?
    A. Karnataka
    B. Goa
    C. Telangana
    D. Odisha
    ✅ Answer: A
15. ‘Aranmula Kannadi’ is a special GI-tagged product of which state?
    A. Kerala
    B. Tamil Nadu
    C. Karnataka
    D. Assam
    ✅ Answer: A
16. The drink ‘Feni’ is associated with which state?
    A. Kerala
    B. Maharashtra
    C. Goa
    D. Tamil Nadu
    ✅ Answer: C
17. ‘Gokak Topi’ is a GI-tagged product of which state?
    A. Uttar Pradesh
    B. Karnataka
    C. Punjab
    D. Jammu and Kashmir
    ✅ Answer: B
18. ‘Chamba Rumal’ is a traditional handicraft GI product of which state?
    A. Uttarakhand
    B. Himachal Pradesh
    C. Punjab
    D. Haryana
    ✅ Answer: B
19. The ‘Bhut Jolokia’ of Nagaland is also known by what name?
    A. Naga Orange
    B. King Chilli
    C. Red Chilli
    D. Black Pepper
    ✅ Answer: B
20. The GI-tagged ‘Shahi Litchi’ belongs to which state?
    A. West Bengal
    B. Bihar
    C. Uttar Pradesh
    D. Assam
    ✅ Answer: B

📘 21–25: Current Affairs and Analytical Questions

21. The GI Registrar of India functions under which ministry?
    A. Ministry of Finance
    B. Ministry of Agriculture
    C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
    D. Ministry of Culture
    ✅ Answer: C
22. Why is GI-tagged ‘Kashmiri Saffron’ considered high quality in India?
    A. It has more color
    B. It has high levels of safranal and picrocrocin
    C. It is entirely exported
    D. It has no fragrance
    ✅ Answer: B
23. Which of the following products received the GI tag in 2020?
    A. Banarasi Saree
    B. Kashmiri Saffron
    C. Kolhapuri Chappal
    D. Madhubani Painting
    ✅ Answer: B
24. ‘Koraput Kala Jeera Rice’ is a GI product of which state?
    A. Odisha
    B. Jharkhand
    C. West Bengal
    D. Chhattisgarh
    ✅ Answer: A
25. Under GI tags in India, which category has the highest number of registered products?
    A. Agricultural Products
    B. Handicrafts
    C. Food Products
    D. Industrial Goods
    ✅ Answer: B

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