Gold hallmarking now mandatory in more districts as Centre notifies 2026 amendment

The Central Government has notified the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2026, expanding the list of districts where hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts will be mandatory.

Zee Business reported on December 23

Zee Business had reported on the potential expansion of the districts earlier on December 23. The amendment was issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution through a notification published in the Official Gazette on March 2, 2026. The order comes into force from the date of its publication.

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The move has been made under the provisions of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, after consultation with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), with the government stating that the decision is necessary in the public interest.

What are the key changes in the amendment?

The amendment substitutes the existing annexure of the 2020 Hallmarking Order with a revised list of districts across States and Union Territories where mandatory hallmarking will apply.

The updated annexure significantly expands coverage across the country, adding multiple districts in states including:

What does the order mean for gold buyers?

Under the hallmarking framework, gold jewellery and artefacts sold in notified districts must carry a BIS hallmark certifying their purity. The hallmark includes the BIS logo and purity grade together with other identification marks, which protect consumers from fraud while enabling transparent gold transactions.

The principal Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2020, was first notified on January 15, 2020, and has been amended periodically, most recently on July 31, 2025. The 2026 amendment enables the law to reach additional territorial areas beyond its original scope.

Objective of the amendment

The expansion aims to strengthen consumer protection, standardise gold purity certification, and improve trust in the domestic gold market. By extending mandatory hallmarking to more districts, the government seeks to bring greater uniformity and accountability in gold trade practices across India.

Industry stakeholders are expected to align operations in the newly notified districts in accordance with BIS guidelines following the notification.