Effective July 10, 2026, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) announced that it has facilitated Geographical Indication (GI) registration for 28 new products, including traditional handicrafts, handloom textiles, bamboo crafts, metalwork, pottery, paintings, and musical instruments, according to a NABARD statement. This brings NABARD's total supported GI registrations to 176 products nationwide.
What Changed: New GI Registrations
The newly registered products span multiple states and categories. The statement highlighted several: Nalanda Bawanbuti Saree and Fabrics and Gaya Pattharkatti Stone Craft from Bihar; Kuchai Silk Saree and Fabrics from Jharkhand; Ba Shilp (Bamboo Craft) and Bihu Pepa from Assam; Himachal Wood Carving Craft; and Khajuraho Metal Craft from Madhya Pradesh, along with other traditional products.
| Product | State | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Nalanda Bawanbuti Saree and Fabrics | Bihar | Handloom |
| Gaya Pattharkatti Stone Craft | Bihar | Stone craft |
| Kuchai Silk Saree and Fabrics | Jharkhand | Handloom |
| Ba Shilp (Bamboo Craft) | Assam | Bamboo craft |
| Bihu Pepa | Assam | Musical instrument |
| Himachal Wood Carving Craft | Himachal Pradesh | Wood craft |
| Khajuraho Metal Craft | Madhya Pradesh | Metalwork |
Who Is Affected: Artisans, Producers, and Rural Enterprises
NABARD's GI initiatives have connected more than 13,000 artisans and producers to higher-value domestic markets, strengthening rural livelihoods and enhancing commercial potential of traditional products, according to the statement. Through NABARD-supported GI value chains and associated enterprises, the initiative has generated more than 50,000 direct jobs. A total of 14 Rural Enterprise Producer Organisations (REPOs) are engaged in production and promotion of GI products across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, and Gujarat.
Compliance Obligations and Support Infrastructure
GI registration provides legal protection and global market potential for region-specific products. To support the GI ecosystem, NABARD has established GI Facilitation Centres at three institutions:
- Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad
- Bihar Agricultural University, Bihar
- Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum (MABIF), Tamil Nadu
These centres offer end-to-end support for GI registration and post-registration activities, enabling artisans and producer groups to protect, promote, and commercialise their products, NABARD said.
Additionally, NABARD supported the establishment of a GI Store at Aihole, Karnataka, creating a dedicated platform to showcase and market GI-certified products. Through investments in branding, quality enhancement, digital commerce, market linkages, and institutional strengthening, NABARD is helping traditional products command premium prices while creating sustainable livelihoods and preserving India's cultural heritage.
Strategic Importance for Trade Compliance
Shaji Krishnan V., Chairman of NABARD, said: “Geographical Indication registration is a powerful instrument for protecting traditional knowledge, promoting local entrepreneurship, and creating value for rural producers. NABARD remains committed to strengthening GI-based value chains through producer collectivisation, skill development, enterprise promotion, branding, market linkages, and export facilitation, ensuring that India’s unique heritage translates into lasting economic opportunities.”
For trade compliance officers and export control managers, GI registration signals that these products are legally protected origin-specific goods, potentially eligible for preferential market access or subject to origin verification requirements. The reference to export facilitation indicates that NABARD is actively working to connect GI-certified producers with global buyers, which may increase cross-border movements of these goods and require due diligence on intellectual property rights and customs documentation.
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