Published: 14 March 2026PIBEconomy
Gold Hallmarking Expanded to 380 Districts; Beawar (Rajasthan) Among 7 New Districts
The government added seven districts to mandatory gold hallmarking under Phase VI from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), expanding total coverage to 380 districts effective March 2, 2026. The new districts are: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan), and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh).
Mandatory hallmarking ensures gold jewellery sold meets declared purity standards (14, 18, 20, 22, 23, or 24 carat), protecting consumers from fraudulent practices. India is the world's second-largest consumer of gold, and hallmarking has been gradually expanded since it was made mandatory in June 2021.
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Q: Analyse the consumer protection significance of expanding mandatory gold hallmarking to 380 districts under BIS Phase VI.
Answer (50 words):
The government added seven districts including Beawar in Rajasthan under Bureau of Indian Standards Phase VI, expanding mandatory gold hallmarking to 380 districts from March 2, 2026. Hallmarking ensures purity standards of 14, 18, 20, 22, 23 or 24 carat, protecting consumers in the world's second-largest gold-consuming nation.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
In which Rajasthan districts are significant Graphite deposits located?
Explanation · Correct answer DRajasthan holds significant deposits of graphite in Ajmer and Alwar districts.
Frequently asked questions
How many districts have mandatory gold hallmarking in India after Phase VI in March 2026?
After **Phase VI** from **March 2, 2026**, mandatory gold hallmarking covers **380 districts**. Seven new districts were added: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (UP), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), **Beawar (Rajasthan)**, and Neemuch (MP).
Which 7 new districts were added in Phase VI of mandatory gold hallmarking in 2026?
Phase VI (**March 2, 2026**) added: **Rupnagar** (Punjab), **Banda** (UP), **Beed** (Maharashtra), **Gomati** (Tripura), **Katihar** (Bihar), **Beawar** (Rajasthan), **Neemuch** (MP). Total coverage reached **380 districts**.
What is HUID in India's mandatory gold hallmarking scheme?
**HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification)** is a unique number assigned to each hallmarked gold jewellery piece by the **Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)**. Over **60 crore gold items** have been hallmarked with HUID since mandatory hallmarking began in **July 2021**.
When did mandatory gold hallmarking start in India and in how many phases?
Mandatory gold hallmarking started in **June 2021** with **256 districts in Phase I**. By **Phase VI (March 2, 2026)**, it expanded to **380 districts** out of India's ~800, with over **60 crore** items hallmarked.
What is the role of BIS in implementing mandatory gold hallmarking in India?
**Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)** oversees mandatory gold hallmarking and assigns **HUID** numbers ensuring gold purity and consumer protection. Since June 2021 it has expanded in phases; **380 districts** are covered as of March 2026 with over **60 crore** items hallmarked.
