MSME Ministry and DPIIT Sign MoU to Boost Market Access for India's Geographical Indication Products

Key Facts

• The MoU was signed on 5 August 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Parties involved: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• The legal basis for GI protection is the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, administered by DPIIT.
• Geographical Indications denote goods originating from specific geographical regions with unique qualities, reputation, or characteristics due to that origin (e.g., Darjeeling Tea, Kanchipuram Silk Saree).
• MSME Ministry supports enterprise development, especially for artisans and small producers.
• GI products and authorized users will be onboarded on ONDC and GeM platforms under the “Bharat GI” banner, linking traditional products to digital commerce.
• The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme’s ecosystem will be integrated into programme designs to promote district-level product specialization and enhancement.
• Joint activities include co-sponsoring GI pavilions at domestic and international trade expos, buyer-seller meets and exhibitions to enhance visibility and market reach.
• Additional efforts focus on quality standardization, capacity building, and digital enablement of artisan and producer collectives.

Background & Context

Geographical Indications (GI) are intellectual property rights protecting products with a distinct geographical origin conferring specific quality or reputation, as established by India’s GI Act of 1999, which came into force in 2003. The DPIIT acts as the nodal agency for GI registration and administration. The Ministry of MSME promotes growth of micro, small and medium enterprises, including traditional artisans. Combining DPIIT’s legal framework with MSME’s enterprise development support enables a coordinated approach to commercialize and scale GI products, ensuring producers gain better market access and economic benefit. Digital platform integration via ONDC and GeM facilitates wider reach and transparency in marketing these products under the unified Bharat GI brand. The integration of the ODOP scheme leverages district-level strengths for specialized product promotion. The cooperative sponsorship of exhibitions and trade events aims to promote GI products domestically and in global markets, increasing livelihood opportunities for indigenous producers.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This MoU exemplifies government initiatives to enhance rural livelihoods, intellectual property protection, and enterprise development through multi-ministerial collaboration. It is relevant for UPSC and other competitive exams in the context of:

• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Understanding the GI Act, its administration, and role of DPIIT.
• Government Schemes and Policies: Integration of MSME schemes with GI promotion and ODOP.
• Economic Development: Promotion of traditional crafts, rural economy, and digital marketplaces.
• Digital India initiatives via ONDC and GeM platforms.
• Trade and Export Promotion: GI product commercialization and global market access.

Points to Remember

• GI registration is valid for 10 years and renewable indefinitely, and protects the geographical reputation of a community of producers.
• The MoU links MSME enterprise support systems with the legal framework administered by DPIIT for GI protection under the GI Act, 1999.
• Authorized producers will be onboarded on ONDC and GeM to facilitate wider market access under the 'Bharat GI' banner.
• The ODOP (One District One Product) scheme supports product specialization and localized manufacturing within districts, which will be integrated within this framework.
• Joint co-sponsorship of GI pavilions at national and international trade fairs will enhance product visibility and buyer access.
• Quality standardization and capacity building for artisans and producer collectives are key components of the collaboration.
• The DPIIT serves as the nodal department for GI administration, with the GI Registry located in Chennai.
• Examples of renowned GI products include Darjeeling Tea and Kanchipuram Silk Saree, which gain economic and legal protection through this regime.