The Government of India has expanded the scope of mandatory gold hallmarking across several more districts as part of the 2026 revision of hallmarking regulations. Under the updated rule, jewellery sellers in newly added districts will no longer be allowed to sell gold ornaments without a BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark.

The decision aims to strengthen consumer protection and improve transparency in India’s jewellery market. By making hallmarking compulsory in additional regions, authorities want to ensure that customers receive gold of certified purity and are protected from fraudulent practices involving low-quality or adulterated gold.

Here’s everything you need to know about the updated gold hallmarking rule and the districts that have been newly included.

What Is Gold Hallmarking and Why It Matters

Gold hallmarking is an official certification that verifies the purity of gold jewellery. In India, this system is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national authority responsible for maintaining quality standards.

A hallmark mark on gold jewellery indicates that the item has been tested and verified for purity at a BIS-approved assay and hallmarking centre.

Currently, hallmarking is mandatory for jewellery made in the following gold purity categories:

• 14 Karat (14K)

• 18 Karat (18K)

• 22 Karat (22K)

The hallmark typically includes multiple markings such as the BIS logo, purity grade, identification number, and the jeweller’s registration mark. These markings help buyers verify whether the gold they are purchasing meets the promised purity standards.

More Districts Added to Mandatory Hallmarking List

As part of the latest expansion in 2026, the government has added several districts from states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana and Odisha to the mandatory hallmarking network.

In these districts, jewellers must sell only BIS-certified hallmarked gold jewellery.

Newly Included Districts in Rajasthan

Some of the newly added districts in Rajasthan include:

• Beawar

• Didwana–Kuchaman

• Bundi

• Karauli

• Barmer

• Dungarpur

Newly Included Districts in Gujarat

Examples of districts added in Gujarat include:

• Botad

• Devbhoomi Dwarka

• Gir Somnath

• Morbi

• Tapi

Newly Included Districts in Karnataka

Districts such as the following have been included:

• Gadag

• Raichur

• Vijayapura

• Chikkamagaluru

Newly Included Districts in Telangana

The updated list includes:

• Mancherial

• Peddapalli

• Bhadradri Kothagudem

Newly Included Districts in Odisha

Some of the districts added include:

• Nayagarh

• Sundargarh

Residents and jewellers in these areas must now comply with the hallmarking regulations while buying or selling gold jewellery.

Registration Required for Jewellers

Jewellers who wish to sell hallmarked gold jewellery must first register with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Once registered, the jewellery must be sent to BIS-approved Assaying and Hallmarking Centres where it undergoes testing to confirm the purity level. Only after passing these tests is the hallmark certification applied to the jewellery.

This process ensures that customers receive jewellery that matches the declared purity level.

Hallmarking System Introduced in 2021

India first implemented mandatory gold hallmarking on June 23, 2021, covering 256 districts across the country. The aim was to regulate the gold jewellery market and protect consumers from unfair trade practices.

Since then, the government has gradually expanded the system to cover more districts based on infrastructure availability and the presence of certified hallmarking centres.

The 2026 expansion further broadens the system, bringing more regions under the hallmarking network.

How the Rule Benefits Gold Buyers

The expansion of mandatory hallmarking offers several benefits to consumers:

• Assured gold purity: Buyers receive certified gold with verified purity.

• Better transparency: The hallmark mark ensures authenticity and trust.

• Protection against fraud: Reduces the chances of purchasing low-quality or adulterated gold.

• Higher resale value: Hallmarked jewellery often has better resale credibility.

What Buyers Should Check Before Buying Gold

If you are planning to buy gold jewellery, experts recommend checking the following:

• Look for the BIS hallmark logo on the jewellery.

• Verify the purity number (such as 22K or 916).

• Check the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.

• Purchase jewellery only from BIS-registered jewellers.

These simple steps can help ensure that you are purchasing genuine and certified gold.

With the latest expansion of mandatory hallmarking districts, the government aims to create a more transparent and trustworthy gold jewellery market in India. Consumers are encouraged to remain aware of these rules and always choose BIS-hallmarked jewellery for secure and reliable purchases.