Kashmir’s world-famous Pashmina industry is facing a problem that demands urgent government attention, not because of a shortage of artisans, craftsmanship or market demand, but because of a bottleneck in the very system designed to establish the authenticity of its products. The sole Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar, is reportedly receiving 200 to 250 certification requests daily, while its testing capacity has increased to around 150 to 170 tests. Although the backlog has been reduced from nearly three months to approximately 45 days, the waiting period remains a serious concern for artisans, manufacturers and traders whose businesses depend on timely certification.
The government deserves recognition for increasing daily testing capacity from around 40 tests to the present level. However, improvement cannot become an excuse for complacency. When demand continues to exceed capacity, the backlog will persist, placing an unnecessary burden on those working to preserve and promote Kashmir’s traditional craft.
A GI certification system must protect authenticity without obstructing livelihoods. The purpose of certification is to give consumers confidence, protect genuine artisans and strengthen the reputation of Kashmir Pashmina in domestic and international markets. But when artisans and traders are forced to wait weeks for certification, the system risks becoming an impediment to the very industry it is intended to support.
The challenge is not merely administrative. Pashmina production and trade operate within competitive markets where timing matters. Delays in certification can affect product dispatches, business commitments and cash flow, particularly for smaller artisans and traders who may not have the financial capacity to absorb prolonged waiting periods. The authorities must therefore move beyond temporary capacity expansion and develop a long-term strategy to eliminate the structural gap between certification demand and testing capacity. The daily demand of 200 to 250 requests, against a capacity of 150 to 170 tests, clearly indicates that further intervention is necessary.
The government should examine the possibility of expanding laboratory infrastructure, recruiting and training additional technical personnel, introducing additional testing shifts and establishing supplementary testing facilities where technically and administratively feasible. Any expansion, however, must preserve the accuracy, credibility and independence of the certification process. Technology can also play a greater role. The CDI’s QR-based verification system provides an important foundation for transparency and consumer confidence. Authorities should explore whether digital application tracking, appointment scheduling and real-time status updates can reduce uncertainty for applicants and improve administrative efficiency.
At the same time, the interests of small artisans must remain central to any reform. A certification system that works efficiently for large traders but leaves individual craftspeople struggling with delays would fall short of its broader developmental purpose. Kashmir’s Pashmina is not simply a commercial product. It represents generations of inherited skill, cultural identity and economic opportunity. Protecting its GI status requires strict quality control, but strictness must be accompanied by accessibility and efficiency.
The government must ensure that Kashmir’s genuine Pashmina artisans do not pay the price for a certification system that has failed to keep pace with growing demand. Increasing testing capacity is welcome, but the ultimate objective must be a system where authenticity is verified promptly, livelihoods are protected and Kashmir Pashmina reaches markets with the credibility and recognition it deserves.
