India’s GI-Tagged Handloom Sarees: Complete Guide to Geographical Indication Textiles

Key facts

• India’s Geographical Indication (GI) system is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• A GI tag is granted to products with a specific geographical origin and qualities or characteristics essentially attributable to that origin.
• India has over 400 registered GI tags, and textiles account for the largest single category.
• Banarasi sarees are GI-tagged handloom textiles woven in Varanasi and the surrounding districts of Mirzapur, Chandauli, Bhadohi, Jaunpur, and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Banarasi GI tag covers Banarasi brocade, Banarasi silk, and Banarasi georgette sarees.
• Kanjivaram (Kanjeevaram) silk sarees are GI-tagged and woven in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, using heavy pure mulberry silk and real zari borders.
• Chanderi sarees are GI-tagged from Chanderi town, Madhya Pradesh, and the tag covers Chanderi silk, Chanderi cotton, and Chanderi silk-cotton sarees.
• Pochampally Ikat from Telangana is GI-tagged for its double Ikat weaving tradition and protected geometric patterns and resist-dyed technique.
• Sambalpuri sarees from Odisha are GI-tagged for the Ikat (Bandha) weaving tradition of Sambalpur, Sonepur, Bargarh, and Boudh districts.
• Paithani sarees are GI-tagged from Paithan (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, and are known for their silk body, real zari borders, and peacock and lotus motifs.
• Patola sarees from Patan, Gujarat, are GI-tagged and cover both single and double Ikat Patola.
• Mysore silk sarees are GI-tagged and produced by the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) in Mysore, Karnataka.
• Ilkal sarees are GI-tagged from Ilkal town, Karnataka, and are distinctive for their cotton body with a silk pallu.
• Kota Doria from Kota and Kaithoon, Rajasthan, is GI-tagged for its square-check weave created by alternating cotton and silk threads.
• Bengal cotton sarees are GI-tagged for the fine cotton weaving traditions of West Bengal, including Tant sarees.