Gujarat’s Unjha Cumin and Fennel Get GI Tags

Unjha Cumin (Jeera) and Unjha Fennel (Variyali) from North Gujarat received Geographical Indication (GI) tags from the Geographical Indications Registry of India. The certificates were issued on 28 March 2026, and the registration was made in the name of the Unjha Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), Unjha, under Class 30 for spices.

Geographical Indication in India

A Geographical Indication is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics linked to that origin. In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and the registry functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Unjha as a Spice Market Centre

Unjha is a major agricultural market town in North Gujarat and is known for trade in cumin and fennel. The Unjha Agriculture Produce Market Committee is the registered proprietor for the GI tags of both products. Class 30 in the Nice Classification covers food items such as spices, coffee, tea, flour, and cereals.

GI Registration and Market Classification

GI registration in India is product-specific and can cover agricultural goods, handicrafts, manufactured goods, and food products. The GI tag for Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel places both spices in the protected category of region-linked agricultural produce. GI-tagged goods are often used in domestic and export markets with product traceability and origin-based branding.

Important Facts for Exams

• India’s GI system is administered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• Class 30 of the Nice Classification includes spices and several food products.
• Unjha is associated with cumin and fennel trade in North Gujarat.
• Gujarat already has GI-tagged agricultural products such as Gir Kesar mango, Bhalia wheat, and Kachchhi Kharek.

Related Agricultural GI Products

Gujarat has several GI-tagged farm products, including Gir Kesar mango, Bhalia wheat, and Kachchhi Kharek. GI registration is also used for products such as Darjeeling tea, Alphonso mango, and Nagpur orange in India.

Export and Branding Context

GI certification is used in international trade to identify products linked to a defined region. The registration of Unjha Cumin and Unjha Fennel adds two more spice products to India’s GI list and places them within the legal framework for origin-based protection.