Darjeeling Mandarin Granted GI Tag

The Darjeeling Mandarin orange, a special winter fruit from the Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions, has been given a special tag called a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

This tag is like a stamp that shows the fruit is unique to this area because of the special climate and soil.

The tag was given on November 24, 2025, after a long process that started in 2021.

The tag helps protect the fruit's identity and makes sure farmers get the right value for their hard work.

Around 4,000 farmers grow these oranges, which are known for being juicier and sweeter than other oranges.

The next step is to register all these farmers so they can use the GI tag and sell their fruit legally.

This recognition is important because orange production in the hills has been decreasing over the past decade.