Tamil Nadu Secures GI Tags for 5 New Products

Overview: Tamil Nadu has received five new Geographical Indication (GI) tags in 2025, taking its total to 74 GI-recognised products. The newly added items include traditional rice, jaggery, saree weaving, toys, and soapstone cookware.

Riyaz

Dec-03-2025

Tamil Nadu Secures GI Tags for 5 New Products

Tamil Nadu with five traditional products included in its heritage list under Geographical Indication or GI. The goods that have just come to light, such as the Woraiyur cotton sari, Kavindapadi nattu sakkarai (jaggery powder), Namakkal makkal pathirangal (soapstone cookware), Thooyamalli rice, as well as the Ambasamudram choppu saman (traditional wooden toys), are indicative of the rich artisanal industry and agricultural output of the state. This achievement puts the total GI-tagged items in Tamil Nadu to 74 and enhances the economic opportunities of the local traders while also maintaining the originality of the regionally specific craftsmanship and food culture.

Tamil Nadu Adds Five New Products to Its Expanding GI Portfolio

Tamil Nadu adds 5 new recognised products to its GI portfolio.
Woraiyur Cotton Saree of Tiruchirappalli is known for its good weaving tradition.
Kavindapadi Nattu Sakkarai of Erode is treasured in terms of its production of jaggery, which is pure, refined, and made traditionally without the use of chemicals.
Namakkal Makkal Pathirangal of Namakkal has long-lasting, handmade soapstone cookware.
The Thooyamalli Rice of Thanjavur is delicately valued because of its smell, taste and smoothness.
Ambasamudram Choppu Saman wooden toys, which are found in Tirunelveli, point to the craft culture in the state.

GI Tag Questions Asked in Exams

Exam / Year	Question (with options)	Answer	Short Explanation
SSC CGL 2024	Which product was the first GI tag of India? A) Kanchipuram Silk B) Darjeeling Tea C) Banarasi Saree D) Aranmula Mirror	B	Darjeeling Tea received India’s first GI tag in 2004–05.
RRB NTPC 2020	‘Kandhamal Haldi’, awarded GI Tag, belongs to which state? A) Odisha B) Kerala C) Assam D) Bihar	A	Kandhamal Haldi is a special turmeric variety from Odisha.
SSC CHSL 2023	‘Tirupati Laddu’ with GI Tag is associated with which state? A) Karnataka B) Andhra Pradesh C) Tamil Nadu D) Kerala	B	Tirupati Laddu is a famous prasadam from Tirupati Temple, Andhra Pradesh.
UPSC Prelims 2022	‘Kodaikanal Malai Poondu’ GI Tag is for which product? A) Rice B) Mango C) Garlic D) Tea	C	It is a special mountain garlic grown in Tamil Nadu.
State PSC 2023 (TNPSC)	‘Thooyamalli Rice’, now a GI product, is grown mainly in? A) Kerala B) Karnataka C) Tamil Nadu D) Odisha	C	Traditional aromatic rice variety cultivated in Tamil Nadu.
SSC GD 2024	‘Nagpur Orange’ GI tag is related to which state? A) Karnataka B) Maharashtra C) Gujarat D) Punjab	B	Nagpur oranges are famous citrus fruits from Maharashtra.
RRB Group D 2022	‘Basmati Rice’ with GI recognition mainly belongs to which region? A) Eastern India B) Himalayan Foothills C) Deccan Plateau D) Coastal Region	B	Genuine Basmati rice is grown in the Himalayan foothill states.
SSC CPO 2024	‘Banarasi Brocade Saree’ GI product belongs to? A) UP B) Tamil Nadu C) Rajasthan D) Assam	A	Banarasi sarees come from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Banking Exams 2023	‘Majuli Mask Craft’ GI tag is from which state? A) Assam B) Manipur C) Tripura D) Meghalaya	A	Majuli’s traditional mask-making art is unique to Assam.
State PSC 2022 (Bihar)	‘Mithila Makhana’ GI Tag pertains to which state? A) UP B) Bihar C) Odisha D) MP	B	Famous fox nuts are produced in the Mithila region of Bihar.

Expected Question For Tamil Nadu GI Tag

Which Tamil Nadu product is known for traditional jaggery-making and recently received a GI Tag?

A) Pollachi Coconut
B) Kavindapadi Nattu Sakkarai
C) Thoothukudi Macaroon
D) Salem Turmeric
Answer: B
Description: Kavindapadi Nattu Sakkarai from Erode is a chemical-free, traditionally processed jaggery powder.

Namakkal Makkal Pathirangal, awarded a GI Tag, is famous for which craft?

A) Brass Lamps
B) Soapstone Cookware
C) Terracotta Pots
D) Palm Leaf Products
Answer: B
Description: These handcrafted soapstone utensils from Namakkal are known for heat retention and durability.

Ambasamudram Choppu Saman, newly GI-tagged, refers to what?

A) Herbal Medicine
B) Wooden Toys
C) Silk Weaving
D) Metal Handicraft
Answer: B
Description: Traditional wooden kitchen-set toys made by artisans of Ambasamudram in Tirunelveli.

Which Tamil Nadu sweet product already has a GI Tag and is often asked in exams?

A) Tirunelveli Halwa
B) Mysore Pak
C) Kanchipuram Idli
D) Arni Puliyodarai
Answer: A
Description: Tirunelveli Halwa is one of Tamil Nadu’s most popular GI-tagged traditional sweets.

Which GI-tagged product from TN is related to music?

A) Thanjavur Veena
B) Chennai Nadaswaram
C) Kattuneer Panai
D) Salem Kathir
Answer: A
Description: Thanjavur Veena is a classical musical instrument known for its high-quality craftsmanship.

Pattamadai Pai, recently seen in the news, is a GI-tagged product made of?

A) Bamboo
B) Palm Grass
C) Coconut Stem
D) Wood
Answer: B
Description: Pattamadai mats from Tirunelveli are woven using fine palm grass in intricate patterns.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu has registered five new products under GI tags, demonstrating the Ancient civilised identity of the state, ancient craftsmanship and farming. This acknowledgement not only safeguards the integrity of these local delicacies but it also enhances the economies of the locals, artisan communities and gives Tamil Nadu a stronger base in the contribution of GI-tagged heritage in India.