The Piyush Goyal-led push to secure 10,000 geographical indication (GI) tags by 2030, up from just 605 today, marks a bold step in India’s heritage-and-industry diplomacy. The GI tag is meant to protect region-specific goods, from handlooms to agricultural produce, by linking name, origin and quality.

Yet a deeper challenge lies in whether the communities behind those goods actually understand what the tag can do. Research shows that GI status does not automatically translate into higher incomes, market access or protection unless backed by robust quality control, organised supply chains and marketing muscle. Many artisans and farmers remain unaware of post-registration support, and the law itself lacks clear mechanisms for product monitoring or value distribution. 

To realise the ambition, authorities must pair registration drives with awareness campaigns, infrastructure for branding, export link-ups and strict quality regimes. A GI tag must evolve into a market signal, not just a certificate. Only then can the goal of “heritage plus development” truly deliver for India’s diverse communities.