Gold Hallmarking Made Mandatory in New Districts Across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Other States

The government has broadened the scope of mandatory gold hallmarking by adding seven more districts under the sixth phase of implementation. The measure aims to strengthen consumer protection and improve transparency in the gold jewellery market. 

With this expansion, the hallmarking requirement now applies to 380 districts across India, continuing the phased rollout introduced by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Expansion of Mandatory Hallmarking Coverage

According to an official statement, the mandatory hallmarking system for gold jewellery and artefacts has been extended to seven additional districts. The districts included in this phase are:

• Rupnagar in Punjab
• Banda in Uttar Pradesh
• Beed in Maharashtra
• Gomati in Tripura
• Katihar in Bihar
• Beawar in Rajasthan
• Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh

With the inclusion of these districts, the requirement for hallmarking now covers 380 districts across the country.

Background of the Hallmarking Programme

The mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts was introduced by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on June 23, 2021. The programme initially covered 256 districts and applied to gold items of 14, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 24 carats.

The policy aims to ensure that consumers receive gold jewellery that meets declared purity standards.

Phased Rollout of the Scheme

The hallmarking initiative has been implemented gradually across the country through multiple phases:

• Phase 1 (June 2021): 256 districts
• Phase 2 (April 2022): 32 additional districts
• Phase 3 (September 2023): 55 more districts
• Phase 4 (November 2024): 18 districts added
• Phase 5 (July 2025): 12 districts included

The sixth phase has now brought the total coverage to 380 districts.

Consumer Protection and Hallmarking Data

Gold hallmarking serves as a quality certification process, verifying the purity of gold through BIS-approved testing and marking centres. The system is designed to reduce the risk of adulterated or misrepresented gold products in the market.

As of March 5, 2026, around 60 crore gold items had been hallmarked under the scheme, according to official data.

Read More: Gold Rate: India vs Dubai Gold Prices on March 13, 2026.

Conclusion

The expansion of mandatory gold hallmarking to additional districts reflects the continued implementation of the government’s consumer protection framework for the jewellery sector. As the programme expands geographically, it is expected to support transparency in gold transactions while ensuring that jewellery sold in covered districts meets certified purity standards.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.