Geographical Indications (GIs) are powerful tools that connect products to their cultural roots, traditional practices, and regional identity. In a country as diverse as India with over 650 registered GIs and countless more deserving recognition, the need for a structured and meaningful evaluation system has become critical. While registration under the GI Act provides a legal shield, it does not by itself ensure sustainability, market success, or socio-economic transformation for producer communities. To bridge this gap, we propose the GI Association Evaluation Metrics, a standardized reporting and assessment framework designed specifically for both agricultural and non-agricultural GIs in India.

This framework aims to evaluate not just legal compliance, but also governance, f inancial transparency, quality control, branding & its dilution, innovation, community impact, future readiness, and sustainability. The ultimate goal is to enable GI Associations to measure, improve, and strategically develop their ecosystems. One of the key motivations behind this RIPA | MAY 2025 initiative is the growing number of potential GIs across India that remain unregistered or face rejection due to the inability to meet minimum legal and procedural requirements such as proof of historical usage, organizational structure, quality standards, geographical linkage, or documentation of collective activity. These challenges often arise not from lack of merit, but from lack of capacity, guidance, and structured evaluation mechanisms.