Gold hallmarking is now mandatory in six more districts, taking coverage to 398 districts across India. Check the new district list and BIS rules.
The Indian government has expanded mandatory gold jewellery hallmarking to six additional districts, bringing more jewellery markets under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification system. With this latest expansion, the total number of districts covered under mandatory hallmarking has increased from 392 to 398 across 26 states and Union territories.
The move aims to strengthen consumer protection and ensure that buyers receive gold jewellery with the purity claimed by jewellers. The latest update is particularly important for people purchasing gold ornaments in smaller cities and regional markets, where the expanded rules will now apply.
The Department of Consumer Affairs issued the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Fourth Amendment) Order, 2026, through notification S.O. 5997(E) on November 2. The amendment was published in the Official Gazette on November 7, replacing the earlier district-wise list introduced under the 2020 hallmarking order.
Gold Hallmarking Mandatory in 6 New Districts: Check the Full List
Under the latest government notification, six more districts have been included in the mandatory hallmarking framework. These additions will bring more jewellery retailers and consumers under the existing BIS certification requirements.
Here is the complete list of newly added districts:
1. West Champaran – Bihar
2. South West Delhi – Delhi
3. Panchmahal – Gujarat
4. Bulandshahr – Uttar Pradesh
5. Sant Kabir Nagar – Uttar Pradesh
6. Rudraprayag – Uttarakhand
With these additions, gold hallmarking mandatory coverage has reached 398 districts across 26 states and Union territories. Previously, 392 districts were included under the framework following an amendment issued in August 2026.
Jewellers operating in the newly covered districts will have to comply with the applicable BIS registration and hallmarking requirements. Gold jewellery covered by the order must meet the prescribed certification rules.
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What Does Mandatory Gold Hallmarking Mean for Buyers?
Hallmarking is a quality certification system designed to protect consumers from purchasing gold jewellery that contains less gold than the purity claimed by the seller.
Under the BIS hallmarking system, certified gold jewellery carries three important identification marks:
– BIS Logo: Indicates that the jewellery has been certified under the Bureau of Indian Standards system.
– Purity Grade: Shows the gold’s purity in caratage and fineness.
– HUID Number: A six-character alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification number assigned to the individual jewellery item.
For example, jewellery marked 22K916 contains 91.6% gold, meaning 916 parts of gold per 1,000 parts.
Buyers should carefully examine all three details before making a purchase. Simply relying on a jeweller’s verbal assurance about gold purity is not enough.
How to Check Gold Jewellery Purity Using the HUID Number?
One of the most important features of the BIS hallmarking system is the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number. It helps consumers verify the certification details of a particular gold jewellery item.
Customers can use the BIS Care mobile application to check the authenticity and details of hallmarked jewellery.
Here are the steps buyers should follow:
1. Download the BIS Care application on your smartphone.
2. Open the application and select the ‘Verify HUID’ option.
3. Enter the six-character HUID number printed on the jewellery.
4. Check the certification details displayed on the screen.
5. Match the available information with the jewellery purchased.
This verification process helps buyers confirm whether the jewellery carries a valid BIS hallmark and whether its details match the certification record.
Will the New Hallmarking Rules Increase Gold Jewellery Prices?
The expansion of gold hallmarking mandatory coverage does not introduce any new gold purity standards or directly change the pricing mechanism for jewellery.
Gold prices continue to depend on market rates, purity, making charges and other applicable costs. The latest amendment is primarily focused on expanding the geographical coverage of the existing hallmarking framework.
Therefore, consumers should not consider this announcement as a new tax or an immediate increase in gold jewellery prices.
However, the wider implementation of hallmarking will bring more consumers in smaller towns and regional markets under the existing quality certification system. This can improve transparency and help buyers make more informed purchasing decisions.
Government Expands Hallmarking Coverage in Phases
Mandatory gold hallmarking was introduced in phases in June 2021, initially covering 256 districts. Since then, the government has gradually expanded its reach by adding more districts to the framework.
The latest amendment is another step towards bringing more jewellery markets under the BIS quality assurance system.
With gold hallmarking mandatory rules now covering 398 districts, consumers in the newly included areas will benefit from stronger quality checks when purchasing eligible gold jewellery.
For buyers, the most important thing is to check the BIS logo, purity marking and HUID number before completing a jewellery purchase. Verifying these details through the BIS Care application can provide additional assurance about the jewellery’s certified purity.
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