After nearly 15 years of declining yields, pest infestations and soil-related setbacks, Darjeeling’s iconic mandarin oranges have received a much-needed lifeline. On 24 November 2025, the fruit was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag- a move that could potentially revive its cultivation and restore the economic confidence of farmers across the hill region. The recognition was granted by the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry, which operates under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), a part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I). The GI proposal was initiated by Tulsi Saran Ghim, a former professor at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV).iray in August 2022, but was shifted to the hands of Darjeeling Organic Producer Organisation (DOFPO) in August 2024; the applicant was shifted from UBKV to DOFPO so that legal ownership rested in the hands of local farmers.
The Darjeeling mandarin orange, locally referred to as ‘suntala’, is renowned for its distinctive aroma and delectable sweetness. It is grown in the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong due to the favourable climate and soil composition. However, the cultivation of the fruit has recently faced challenges due to infections from the virus Citrus Tristeza and pests like aphids and fruit flies, which cause more harm. The GI recognition is hoped to aid the cultivation of the fruit by enabling farmers to receive better prices and garner a greater market value, opening up doors to not just national but also international markets.
The Darjeeling Mandarin oranges are the 11th agricultural/horticultural GI from West Bengal and the latest hill product to garner legal recognition apart from the Darjeeling Tea and Dalle Khursani chilli. The oranges stand alongside globally recognised products like Champagne in France, Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham in Italy, Scotch whisky from Scotland, which are all GIs that have turned their origin stories into powerful brands. These examples illustrate what is at stake for Darjeeling’s oranges. If Bengal supports its GIs with strong economic and marketing strategies, the oranges can follow the same renowned path as Champagne or Darjeeling Tea, making them a brand of their own.
A GI (Geographical Indicator) tag is a form of intellectual property that identifies products originating from a specific place and possesses qualities or a reputation essentially linked to that geographical region, thereby legally protecting the product and ensuring its quality. It prevents unauthorised use, assures authenticity and boosts the economic prosperity of the local producers. The GI tag is granted under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, in India. The recognition is valid for only 10 years, after which the registration must be renewed; failure to do so results in the lapse of registration, stripping the product of its GI status.
GI tags allow producers to charge premium prices for their goods in domestic and international markets. The tag also grants authorised producers exclusive rights to produce the product, thereby preventing low-quality or counterfeit products from tarnishing the original product’s name – protecting the authenticity of the genuine product. GI tags also encourage traditional skills of the producers and region-specific methods, which might otherwise be lost due to mass-production alternatives. Regions with famous GI products attract curious tourists interested in local culture and goods. These products also draw visitors to lesser-known areas often overlooked by typical tours.
India currently has more than 650 registered GI-tagged products, many of which, such as Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, and Madhubani Paintings, are internationally recognised. These registrations include handicrafts, agricultural products, food items, manufactured goods and other natural products which aim to safeguard the regional specialities of India. The Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to receive a GI tag in 2004-05, becoming a reference point for later registrations. Currently, Uttar Pradesh has the most significant number of GI-tagged products in India, with 77 GIs as of 2025, surpassing Tamil Nadu (74 products) and Karnataka (46-48 products). It is a proud moment for the Darjeeling farmers as it will provide better opportunities to remunerate their hard work