First GI Tag in India: Darjeeling Tea, Meaning, Significance
Priyanka Agarwal18 Dec, 2025
First GI tag in India was granted to Darjeeling Tea under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in 2004-05. Hence, only tea that is cultivated, processed, and produced within the geographical boundaries of Darjeeling can be sold as "Darjeeling Tea," guaranteeing its genuineness and unique muscatel flavor.
The GI tag amplified Darjeeling Tea's international repute, saved the commodity from spurious products, and fetched better economic returns to local growers because of its premium pricing.
It would also preserve the cultural-historical relevance of tea farming in Darjeeling, ensure legal protection, and facilitate consumer identification for the real product, thereby encouraging international trade in various unique GI-tagged Indian commodities.
What is a Geographical IndicationTag?
A GI Tag is a label applied to products having a specific geographical origin. It indicates that the product qualities or reputation are basically contributed by that origin. GI Tags present a crucial form of intellectual property rights for safeguarding traditional goods that are unique in character.
Acquaintance with information about the First GI Tag in India plays an important role in general knowledge and also aids when one prepares for various examinations.
Legal Framework in India
GI registration in India is regulated under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. This Act came into force in September 2003. Thereafter, this Act provides for legal protection to GIs in India. The goal here is to avoid unauthorized use of registered GIs by others.
First GI Tag in India: Darjeeling Tea
First GI Tag in India was granted to Darjeeling Tea in 2004-2005. This iconic tea has its origin in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is globally recognized for its distinct muscatel flavor and aroma. The GI tag makes sure that only the tea cultivated, processed, and produced in the designated Darjeeling region can be marketed as "Darjeeling Tea." This protects its unique identity and quality.
Acquisition of GI Tag
What Darjeeling Tea required protection for was when its distinctive identity started getting abused. As the demand for it began to increase globally, spurious and inferior varieties flooded the market, challenging the authenticity and prestige of real Darjeeling Tea.
To prevent such misuse and protect this name, the Tea Board of India applied for the registration of Darjeeling Tea under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Thereby, Darjeeling Tea became the first product in India to get a GI tag in 2004. This tag guarantees that only tea grown in this region can be sold as “Darjeeling Tea.”
How Darjeeling Tea got First GI Tag in India?
It was the first GI tag in India, giving a unique identity and authenticity to Darjeeling Tea. The recognition ensures that only teas grown in the Darjeeling region can be marketed as "Darjeeling Tea," protecting it from imitation and enhancing its value globally. Here is how Darjeeling Tea got first GI tag in India:
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Early 1990s: Fake Darjeeling Tea flooded the market, questioning the quality and authenticity of the real tea.
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1999: India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act to safeguard the uniqueness of regional products.
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2003: The Tea Board of India requested the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to protect Darjeeling Tea’s distinct identity.
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2004: The GI Registry verified the application and conducted studies to confirm the association of Darjeeling Tea with its region.
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2004-2005: Darjeeling Tea became the first GI-tagged product in India, ensuring that only tea produced in Darjeeling could be called “Darjeeling Tea.”
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After 2005: The GI tag helped genuine Darjeeling Tea fetch higher prices and prevented fake products from misleading consumers.
Benefits of Darjeeling Tea GI Tagging
The GI tag protects the authenticity of Darjeeling Tea, prevents any acts of imitation, increases global recognition, supports local growers, and helps preserve cultural heritage.
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Global Recognition: The GI tag enhanced the reputation of Darjeeling Tea globally and authenticated the tea.
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Economic Advantage: Higher prices in both domestic and international markets benefit the local growers of tea.
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Imitation protection: Only real Darjeeling Tea can be marketed under that registered name; imitations cannot.
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Cultural Significance: It brings out the historical and cultural heritage tied to Darjeeling's tea cultivation.
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GI registration provides a legal safeguard against misuse.
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Consumer clarity lets buyers identify an authentic product from fakes.
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Export promotion: increasing the global trade of unique GI-tagged products of India.
| Importance of Intellectual Property Rights | Nature of Intellectual Property |