Application Fee for GI Tag Reduced to ₹1,000

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal announced that the application fee for obtaining a Geographical Indications (GI) tag has been reduced from ₹5,000 to ₹1,000, making it more accessible for tribal and rural artisans. The announcement was made during the Tribal Business Conclave 2025, held in New Delhi on November 12, 2025.

Event Overview

• The Tribal Business Conclave 2025 was organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Culture.
• The event was part of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
• The conclave marked a historic moment in empowering tribal entrepreneurs and preserving India’s indigenous craftsmanship.

Minister’s Key Announcements

• GI tag application fee reduced to ₹1,000 to encourage greater participation from tribal and local artisans.
• Appeal to artisans: Shri Goyal urged tribal communities to register and protect their traditional crafts and products through GI certification.
• The initiative aims to safeguard traditional knowledge, promote rural livelihoods, and enhance the market value of indigenous products.

Distribution of GI Certificates

As part of the event, Geographical Indication certificates were distributed to several traditional crafts and products, recognising their uniqueness and cultural heritage.
Some of the notable recipients included:

• Kannadippaya (Bamboo Mat) – Kerala
• Apatani Textile – Arunachal Pradesh
• Marthandam Honey – Tamil Nadu
• Lepcha Tungbuk – Sikkim
• Bodo Aronai – Assam
• Ambaji White Marble – Gujarat
• Bedu and Badri Cow Ghee – Uttarakhand

Source: PIB