SF Prep Notes

MSME Ministry and DPIIT sign MoU to commercialise GI products under 'Bharat GI' banner

The Ministry of MSME and DPIIT signed an MoU on 5 August 2026 to commercialise India's Geographical Indication products and bring them to ONDC and GeM under a 'Bharat GI' banner.

Summary

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, on 5 August 2026 to accelerate the commercialisation, quality standardisation and global market access of India's Geographical Indication (GI) products. DPIIT is the nodal department for registration and legal protection of GIs under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Under the 'Bharat GI' banner, the two will help onboard GI collectives and authorised users onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and integrate One District One Product (ODOP) into their programmes.

Key facts

Parties
Ministry of MSME and DPIIT
Signed
5 Aug 2026, Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Banner
'Bharat GI'
Platforms
ONDC and GeM onboarding of GI collectives
GI law
GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 – DPIIT nodal

Practice MCQs 3 questions

Q1

Which two bodies signed the MoU in August 2026 to commercialise India's GI products under the 'Bharat GI' banner?

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Correct answer: A — Ministry of MSME and DPIIT

The Ministry of MSME and DPIIT signed the MoU on 5 August 2026 at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.

Q2 Advanced

Under the 'Bharat GI' initiative, GI collectives and authorised users are to be onboarded onto which platforms?

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Correct answer: B — ONDC and GeM

The MoU provides for onboarding GI collectives and authorised users onto ONDC and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).

Q3 Advanced

Consider the following statements: 1. DPIIT is the nodal department for registration and legal protection of Geographical Indications under the GI of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. 2. The MSME–DPIIT MoU of August 2026 provides for integrating One District One Product (ODOP) into programme design. Which of the above is/are correct?

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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2

Both statements are correct as per the MoU announcement.

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