Kumbakonam Vetrilai Betel Leaf gets GI Tag

28 May 2025

Why in the News?

The Kumbakonam Vetrilai (betel leaf or paan leaf) has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Government of India.

Cultivation: It is grown in the Thanjavur region, especially in Kumbakonam, Thiruvaiyaru, Papanasam, Thiruvidaimarudur, and Rajagiri.
Characteristics: The leaf is heart-shaped, dark to light green, with a strong aroma and pungent taste, thanks to the fertile Cauvery basin soil.
Cultural Importance: It is a main ingredient in paan, a popular post-meal chew in South Asia.
Harvest: The first-year yield, called maaruvethalai, produces the largest and longest-lasting leaves (6–7 days shelf life); Farmers hand-pick leaves, working from early morning until late night due to the labour-heavy process.

A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Nodal Agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 w.e.f. September 2003.
GIs have been defined under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
The tag stands valid for 10 years and can be renewed.

[UPSC 2015] Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status?

(1) Banaras Brocades and Sarees (2) Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma (3) Tirupathi Laddu

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only* (d) 1, 2 and 3

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