Regional Specialties — Key Changes

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
N/A (Act, not amendment)	1999	The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, was enacted by the Parliament of India to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods. This Act came into force on September 15, 2003.	This Act provided a robust legal framework for protecting India's regional specialties, including handicrafts and textiles. It enabled the registration of GI tags, preventing unauthorized use and ensuring that the unique reputation and characteristics of products like 'Kashmir Pashmina' or 'Patan Patola' are legally safeguarded. Its implementation has been instrumental in empowering artisan communities and promoting cultural heritage.
N/A (Policy Evolution)	Ongoing	While not a formal amendment to the GI Act, subsequent policy initiatives and schemes by the Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Culture, such as the National Handloom Development Programme, Handloom Mark, India Handloom Brand, and more recently, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme (2023), represent an evolution in governmental approach to supporting and protecting regional crafts.	These policy evolutions have broadened the scope of support beyond mere legal protection. They focus on skill development, technological upgradation, market linkages, design innovation, and financial assistance, aiming for holistic development and sustainability of the craft sector. This multi-pronged approach addresses the socio-economic challenges faced by artisans, ensuring the long-term viability of regional specialties.