NewKerala.com

7 New Districts Now Under Mandatory Gold Hallmarking Rules

The Bureau of Indian Standards has added seven more districts under mandatory hallmarking for gold jewellery and artefacts in its sixth phase of implementation. This brings the total number of districts covered to 380 as part of a phased rollout that began in June 2021. Consumers can verify the authenticity and purity of their hallmarked jewellery using the HUID number on the official BIS CARE App. The BIS also continues enforcement actions against violations of the hallmarking quality control order.

Key Points: Mandatory Gold Hallmarking Expands to 7 More Districts

  • 7 districts added in 6th phase
  • Total coverage now 380 districts
  • Over 60 crore items hallmarked since 2021
  • Verify purity via BIS CARE App
2 min read

Seven more districts added in 6th phase of mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery

BIS adds 7 districts in 6th phase of mandatory gold hallmarking, bringing total to 380. Verify purity via HUID on BIS CARE App.

"more than 60 crore gold items have been hallmarked with a unique Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number - Bureau of Indian Standards"

New Delhi, March 12

Seven additional districts have been brought under mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts under the sixth phase of the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2026, which came into force on March 2, the Bureau of Indian Standards said on Thursday.

"With the roll out of the sixth phase of mandatory hallmarking from March 2, 2026, seven additional districts--Rupnagar in Punjab, Banda in Uttar Pradesh, Beed in Maharashtra, Gomati in Tripura, Katihar in Bihar, Beawar in Rajasthan and Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh--have been included, taking the total number of districts covered under mandatory hallmarking to 380," the BIS said in a statement.

The move is part of the phased implementation of mandatory hallmarking being carried out by the Bureau of Indian Standards to ensure the purity of gold jewellery and protect consumer interests.

Mandatory hallmarking has been implemented in phases since June 2021. In the first phase, which took effect on June 23, 2021, hallmarking was made mandatory in 256 districts. The second phase, implemented on April 4, 2022, added 32 districts, taking the total to 288. This was followed by the third phase on September 8, 2023, which included 55 additional districts, increasing the coverage to 343, the statement said.

The fourth phase, effective from November 5, 2024, added 18 districts to bring the total to 361, while the fifth phase, implemented on July 31, 2025, included 12 more districts, expanding the coverage to 373 districts across the country.

Mandatory hallmarking currently covers six caratages of gold jewellery and artefacts--14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K and 24K. However, as per the provisions of IS 1417: 2016, hallmarking for 9K gold is also available as a voluntary grade.

According to BIS, more than 60 crore gold items have been hallmarked with a unique Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number between July 1, 2021 and March 5, 2026.

Consumers can verify the authenticity and purity of hallmarked jewellery using the "Verify HUID" feature on the BIS CARE App.

BIS also said it continues to undertake enforcement activities against misuse of hallmarking provisions. In the financial year 2025-26, more than 30 enforcement actions were conducted against jewellers for violations related to the Hallmarking Quality Control Order, the statement added.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Finally, Banda district in UP is included. About time! The jewellers here sometimes mix metals. Now we can buy with trust. Hope the enforcement is strict.
A
Aman W
Good move, but the rollout seems slow. Started in 2021 and still only 380 districts? India has over 700 districts. When will the rest be covered? The pace needs to increase.
S
Sarah B
The BIS CARE app with the Verify HUID feature is brilliant. I used it last month before buying a necklace. It's so easy and transparent. More initiatives like this, please!
V
Vikram M
60 crore items hallmarked! That's a massive number. Shows how much gold we Indians buy and how important this consumer protection is. Jai Ho!
N
Nisha Z
My only concern is for small, traditional jewellers in these new districts. The government should provide support and training so they can comply easily without too much cost burden.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50