Source: News on Air
Context
In a major milestone for tribal craftsmanship, four traditional products from Jharkhand, namely Bhagaiya Silk, Kuchai Silk, Munda Jewellery, and Bamboo Craft, have been officially granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The GI tag, governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, recognises products with specific geographical origin and qualities essentially due to that place of origin. The tags will boost livelihoods of tribal artisans, provide legal protection against duplication, ensure premium quality assurance, and enable global branding and export value for these traditional Jharkhand crafts.
The Four GI-Tagged Products
1. Bhagaiya Silk
- A traditional Jharkhand silk known for:
- Natural golden sheen.
- Durability.
- Eco-friendly wild Tussar silk production.
- Produced through indigenous hand-reeling techniques.
2. Kuchai Silk
- Another traditional Jharkhand silk with similar features.
- Eco-friendly Tussar variety.
- Reflects the state’s rich handloom heritage.
3. Munda Jewellery
- Traditional tribal jewellery of the Munda community.
- Handcrafted with unique geometric patterns and nature-inspired motifs.
- Holds cultural and spiritual significance.
- Preserves centuries-old indigenous metalcraft traditions.
4. Jharkhand Bamboo Craft
- Eco-friendly craft using local bamboo.
- Produces baskets, mats, utility products, decorative items.
- Supports sustainable livelihoods in rural forest regions.
What is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?
- An official intellectual property sign used on products with a specific geographical origin.
- Products possess qualities, characteristics, or reputation that are essentially due to that place of origin.
- Examples globally: Champagne (France), Roquefort cheese (France), Tequila (Mexico), Darjeeling Tea (India), Kanchipuram Silk (India).
- Two forms in India:
- Agricultural products.
- Manufactured products.
About Tussar Silk
- One of four major silk types in India: Mulberry, Tussar, Eri, Muga.
- Tussar (also called Tasar/Kosa) is produced by silkworms (Antheraea mylitta) that feed on wild Sal, Asan, and Arjun trees.
- Wild/non-mulberry silk.
- Major producing states: Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal.
- Tussar silk has a natural golden sheen and rich texture.
About the Munda Community
- One of India’s largest tribal communities.
- Linguistic group: Mundari (Austroasiatic family).
- Geographic concentration: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal.
- Population: Approximately 2 million.
- Famous Munda leader: Birsa Munda (1875-1900), tribal freedom fighter.
- Birsa Munda Jayanti is celebrated on 15 November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
About Jharkhand
- State formed: 15 November 2000 (carved out of Bihar).
- Capital: Ranchi.
- Population: about 3.3 crore.
- Tribal population: about 26 per cent (significant tribal heritage).
- Major tribes: Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Ho, Kharia.
- Rich in: Minerals (coal, iron ore, bauxite, mica), forests, biodiversity.
- Current CM: Hemant Soren (JMM).
- Current Governor: Santosh Kumar Gangwar.
Other Recent Notable GI Tags from Jharkhand
- Sohrai-Khovar Painting (2020): Traditional tribal mural painting.
- Tilkamanjhi Saree (recently considered).
Notable Recent GI Tags from Across India
- Mithila Makhana (Bihar): 2022.
- Basohli Pashmina (J&K): 2023.
- Goa Cashew (Goa): 2023.
- Kashmir Saffron (J&K): 2020.
- Coorg Coffee (Karnataka).
- Manipuri Black Rice (Chak-Hao).
- Tirupathi Laddu (AP).
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the recent GI tags granted to Jharkhand’s traditional products, consider the following statements:
- Four products from Jharkhand received the GI tag: Bhagaiya Silk, Kuchai Silk, Munda Jewellery, and Bamboo Craft.
- Bhagaiya Silk and Kuchai Silk are wild Tussar silks with a natural golden sheen.
- Munda Jewellery is traditional tribal jewellery of the Munda community.
- The GI tags were granted under the Geographical Indications of Goods Act, 1999.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. With reference to the GI Act, 1999, consider the following statements:
- The GI Act, 1999 came into force on 15 September 2003.
- The Geographical Indications Registry is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- The GI registration is valid for 10 years and is renewable.
- The GI tag is an individual right, not a collective right.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; GI is a collective right, NOT an individual right.)
Q3. With reference to Tussar silk, consider the following statements:
- Tussar is one of four major silk types in India, along with Mulberry, Eri, and Muga.
- Tussar is a wild/non-mulberry silk produced by silkworms feeding on Sal, Asan, and Arjun trees.
- Major Tussar-producing states include Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, MP, and West Bengal.
- Tussar silk is exclusively produced in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; Tussar is mainly produced in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, MP, West Bengal, NOT Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.)
Q4. With reference to the Munda community and Birsa Munda, consider the following statements:
- The Munda community is one of India’s largest tribal communities, concentrated in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal.
- The Munda language belongs to the Austroasiatic family.
- Birsa Munda (1875-1900) was a Munda tribal freedom fighter.
- Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary (15 November) is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas since 2021.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q5. With reference to GI tags in India, consider the following statements:
- Darjeeling Tea was India’s first registered GI product, registered in 2004-05.
- India has over 670 GI tags registered as of mid-2026.
- The GI Act, 1999 is aligned with the WTO TRIPS Agreement (1994).
- GI tags are administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; GI tags are administered by DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, NOT the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.)
Answer Key
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because GI is a collective right.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because Tussar is mainly produced in eastern India.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because GI tags are administered by DPIIT.
