Srinagar/New Delhi, June 24: Kashmir’s technology-driven Geographical Indication (GI) QR Code Management System for authenticating traditional handicrafts has received national recognition with the prestigious SKOCH Award, officials said on Tuesday.
The award was conferred on the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, for developing and implementing the innovative certification mechanism through the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre (PTQCC) at the Craft Development Institute (CDI) and the NABL-accredited Carpet Testing Laboratory at the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), Srinagar.
The award was presented at a ceremony in New Delhi and received by Sajid Nazir, Senior Faculty at CDI, on behalf of the department.
According to officials, the GI QR Code Management System is among the country’s first comprehensive QR code-based certification mechanisms designed specifically for handicrafts. The initiative seeks to strengthen product authenticity, quality assurance, sustainability and artisan welfare through the use of digital technology.
The system allows buyers to instantly verify the authenticity, origin and quality of products including Pashmina and Kani shawls, Sozni embroidery, hand-knotted carpets and other Geographical Indication-registered crafts. By scanning the QR code attached to a product, consumers can trace it back to the artisan, weaving unit or institution responsible for its production, ensuring transparency and helping prevent counterfeiting.
Officials said thousands of handicraft products have already been tagged under the initiative, contributing to enhanced consumer confidence, wider market access and increased export opportunities for Kashmiri artisans.
Congratulating the technical teams of PTQCC and IICT, Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Mussarat Islam said the recognition reflects the department’s commitment to preserving Kashmir’s rich craft heritage through innovative interventions.
He said the QR code system gives artisans direct visibility in domestic and international markets, enabling them to connect with buyers, access niche global markets and improve their economic prospects.
The SKOCH Award is a national recognition presented to initiatives that promote innovation, good governance, excellence and inclusive development.
