• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) submitted a declaration for Ponduru Khadi’s GI registration.

• What? GI tag granted to Ponduru Khadi
• Where? Ponduru village, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh
• By Whom? Geographical Indications (GI) Registry, DPIIT, MoC&I
• Registered Proprietor: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
• GI Law: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
• Validity: 10 years (renewable)

About Ponduru Khadi:
Identity: Ponduru Khadi, locally known as Patnulu, nominated under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
Historical Significance: During the Swadeshi Movement in 1921, Mahatma Gandhi praised Ponduru Khadi in Young India and, after receiving a Ponduru Khadi stole, deputed Devdas Gandhi to study its production process.
Artisan Support: The Andhra Fine Khadi Karmik Abhivrudhi Sangam (AFKKS), established in 1949, supports Ponduru Khadi artisans.
Cotton Varieties: The fabric is made exclusively from indigenous hill cotton, punasa cotton, and red cotton grown locally in and around Srikakulam.
Production Process: Ponduru Khadi is produced through an entirely manual process, from cotton cleaning to spinning and weaving, with no use of mechanisation.
Unique Techniques: Cotton is cleaned using the jawbone of the Valuga fish, and spinning is done using a single-spindle 24-spoke Gandhi Charkha, producing ultra-fine yarn with a yarn count of about 100–120.
GI Protection: Ponduru Khadi has been granted a Geographical Indication under the GI Act, 1999, covering Classes 23, 24, and 25 to prevent misuse and imitation.
About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
Definition: A sign used on goods originating from a specific geographical area with qualities or reputation attributable to that origin
Legal Framework: Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
Administering Authority: Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM)
Validity: 10 years (renewable)
About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Nara Chandrababu Naidu
Governor – Syed Abdul Nazeer
Capital – Amaravati
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Sri Lankamalleswara WLS, Krishna WLS