Unjha Cumin (Jeera) and Unjha Fennel (Variyali) from North Gujarat were granted Geographical Indication (GI) certificates on 28 March 2026; registration is in the name of the Unjha Agriculture Produce Market Committee under Class 30 for spices.
Products and Registration
- Unjha Cumin (Jeera): Cuminum cyminum; regional agronomic and post-harvest traits linked to Unjha market origins.
- Unjha Fennel (Variyali): Foeniculum vulgare; locally traded fennel variety associated with Unjha.
- Registration details: Certificates issued 28 March 2026; proprietor — Unjha APMC; Class 30 (Nice Classification) — spices.
Geographical Indication — Legal Framework
- Domestic law: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 governs GI registration and protection in India.
- Registry & administration: GI Registry located in Chennai under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- International norm: TRIPS Article 22(1) provides the WTO definition of geographical indications.
- Duration: Registration valid for 10 years and renewable every 10 years; authorised users may be recorded.
Market and Trade Context
- Unjha market: Established spice-trading centre in North Gujarat; APMC acts as registered proprietor for these GIs.
- Legal effect: GI confers exclusive right to use the name and legal remedy against unauthorised use.
- Related Gujarat GIs: Gir Kesar mango, Bhalia wheat, Kachchhi Kharek.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Class 30 scope: Spices, coffee, tea, flour, cereals under the Nice Classification.
- Registry practice: GI registration is product-specific and territorially defined.
- Proprietor entry: Unjha Agriculture Produce Market Committee is the registered proprietor for both GIs.