BIS
Hallmarking for Gold and Silver Extends Reach
[ABS News Service/06.11.2026]
The Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS) oversees India's hallmarking system to protect consumers by certifying
the purity of gold and silver jewellery through strict standards, digital
traceability, and regulatory surveillance. Since mandatory gold hallmarking
began in 2021, over 65 crore gold articles have been hallmarked with a Hallmark
Unique Identification (HUID) number as of October 15, 2026.
Scheme Coverage and Standards
·
Gold Hallmarking: Launched
voluntarily in 2000, gold hallmarking became mandatory on June 23, 2021, across
256 districts and has since expanded to 392 districts. It covers seven caratage grades under IS 1417: 9K (375), 14K (585), 18K
(750), 20K (833), 22K (916), 23K (958), and 24KS (995).
·
Silver Hallmarking:
Introduced voluntarily in 2005, silver hallmarking covers eight fineness grades
under IS 2112:2025 (800, 835, 900, 925, 958, 970, 990, and 999). While
hallmarking silver remains optional, a six-digit alphanumeric HUID code became
mandatory for all hallmarked silver articles on September 1, 2025, with over 90
lakh silver items marked so far.
·
Three Signs of Authenticity: Genuine
hallmarked items bear three distinct marks: the BIS Standard Mark (accompanied
by the word 'SILVER' for silver items), a Purity/Fineness mark (e.g., 22K916 or
925), and a unique six-digit alphanumeric HUID code.
Digital
Integration and Process
·
Registration & Testing:
Jewellers register online for free with lifetime validity via the National
Single Window System (NSWS) or the Manak Online
portal before submitting items to BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking
Centres (AHCs).
·
Automated Data Capture: Testing
equipment—including weighing balances, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machines, and
laser markers—transfers data directly to centralised software via API
integration to eliminate manual entry.
·
End-to-End Traceability: As of
June 2026, AHCs upload article photographs and weights directly to Manak Online, while a new "Transfer HUID"
facility allows corporate jewellers to digitally record ownership transfers.
Regulatory
Oversight and Consumer Verification
·
Growth and Enforcement: Since
2021, BIS-registered jewellers grew from 43,153 to 2,36,624, and recognised
AHCs increased from 948 to 1,565. BIS conducts regular audits, random market
sampling, raids (over 30 enforcement actions in 2025–26), and hosted 1,582
consumer awareness programmes between April and October 2026.
·
BIS CARE App: Consumers can verify jewellery
before purchase by entering the HUID number into the free BIS CARE App
(available on Android and iOS in 12 languages). Following June 2026 upgrades,
the app displays the item's purity, jeweller details, AHC information,
officially recorded weight, and photographs of the article and its hallmark.