By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 11 July 2026

On 10 July 2026, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) facilitated Geographical Indication (GI) registration for 28 new products from across India. With these additions, the total number of GI products supported by NABARD reached 176, strengthening the protection of traditional and region-specific goods.

A Geographical Indication is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation or characteristics linked to that origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and is administered by the GI Registry under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.

The 28 newly registered products include traditional handicrafts, handloom textiles, bamboo crafts, metalwork, pottery, paintings and musical instruments. Notable examples are the Nalanda Bawanbuti Saree and Gaya Pattharkatti Stone Craft (Bihar), Kuchai Silk Saree (Jharkhand), Bihu Pepa and Bamboo Craft (Assam), Himachal Wood Carving Craft, and Khajuraho Metal Craft (Madhya Pradesh).

NABARD supports the GI ecosystem through GI Facilitation Centres at EDII Ahmedabad, Bihar Agricultural University and MABIF Tamil Nadu, and operates a dedicated GI Store at Aihole, Karnataka. Its GI-led initiatives have connected over 13,000 artisans and producers with higher-value markets and generated more than 50,000 direct jobs through associated value chains.

Exam Facts

▶ On 10 July 2026, NABARD facilitated GI registration for 28 new products; total supported reached 176.

▶ GI registration in India is governed by the GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

▶ The GI Registry works under the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.

▶ Nalanda Bawanbuti and Gaya Pattharkatti are from Bihar; Kuchai Silk is from Jharkhand.

▶ NABARD operates a dedicated GI Store at Aihole, Karnataka.

▶ NABARD's headquarters is in Mumbai; it was established in 1982.

Practice Set (6 Questions)

Q1. NABARD facilitated GI registration for how many new products in July 2026?
A. 18
B. 24
C. 28
D. 32

Show Answer

Answer: C – 28. This took NABARD's GI-supported total to 176.

Q2. GI registration in India is governed by which Act?
A. Trade Marks Act, 1999
B. GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
C. Patents Act, 1970
D. Copyright Act, 1957

Show Answer

Answer: B – GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Q3. The GI Registry functions under which authority?
A. Ministry of Culture
B. Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
C. NABARD
D. Ministry of Agriculture

Show Answer

Answer: B – Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.

Q4. 'Nalanda Bawanbuti', a newly GI-registered product, belongs to which state?
A. Jharkhand
B. Bihar
C. Assam
D. Madhya Pradesh

Show Answer

Answer: B – Bihar.

Q5. NABARD operates a dedicated GI Store at which location?
A. Aihole, Karnataka
B. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
C. Nalanda, Bihar
D. Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Show Answer

Answer: A – Aihole, Karnataka.

Q6. Where is NABARD's headquarters located?
A. New Delhi
B. Mumbai
C. Pune
D. Lucknow

Show Answer

Answer: B – Mumbai. NABARD was established in 1982.

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

  • UPSC Prelims: Economy, Intellectual Property Rights, GI tags, institutions (NABARD).
  • UPSC Mains – GS Paper III: Agriculture, rural development, IPR and value-chain economics.
  • RPSC (RAS) / SSC / Banking: Current affairs, static GK on GI tags and NABARD.

UPSC Mains Descriptive Question

Q. Geographical Indication tags protect India's traditional crafts and agricultural heritage while boosting rural livelihoods. Discuss the role of institutions like NABARD in strengthening the GI ecosystem. (250 words, 15 marks)