Published: 1 March 2026ANI / Tribune India / JewelBuzzEconomy
Mandatory Gold Hallmarking Expanded to 380 Districts; Beawar (Rajasthan) Included in Phase VI Effective March 2, 2026
Effective March 2, 2026, the Government of India notified the sixth phase of mandatory gold hallmarking under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2026, adding seven new districts to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmarking framework. The seven districts newly brought under the mandatory regime are: Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan), and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh). This brings the total number of districts under mandatory gold hallmarking to 380 across India.
Mandatory gold hallmarking was first implemented in June 2021 as a phased rollout to protect consumers from impure gold. The earlier phases expanded coverage from 256 districts in the initial phase to 361 districts (Phase IV, November 2024) and 373 districts (Phase V, July 2025). Under hallmarking regulations, gold jewellery must carry the BIS Hallmark, which includes the BIS logo, purity/fineness, and the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number traceable to a licensed Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.
For Rajasthan, the inclusion of Beawar — now listed as a district in Rajasthan and known for commercial activity including jewellery trade — is significant. Rajasthan's jewellery industry, including Jaipur's gem and jewellery sector (a major export hub), benefits from the credibility that BIS hallmarking adds in domestic and international markets.
0Mains angle
Q: Examine the objectives and progressive expansion of India's mandatory gold hallmarking regime, and assess its impact on consumer protection and the Rajasthan jewellery economy.
Answer (50 words):
Mandatory hallmarking, launched June 2021, now covers 380 districts after Phase VI added Rupnagar, Banda, Beed, Gomati, Katihar, Beawar and Neemuch from 2 March 2026. BIS jewellery carries logo, purity and HUID traceability. Beawar's inclusion strengthens Rajasthan's jewellery hub, extending purity certification to consumers and boosting export credibility nationally.
6-axis classification
CoverageNationalSubjectEconomicExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourceANI / Tribune India / JewelBuzz
Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionMedium
From which date did the sixth phase of mandatory gold hallmarking, expanding coverage to 380 districts including Beawar in Rajasthan, come into effect?
Explanation · Correct answer AThe Government of India expanded mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery and gold artefacts in the sixth phase by adding seven districts, including Beawar in Rajasthan. The PIB release states that this phase came into effect on March 2, 2026, taking the total coverage to 380 districts.
Frequently asked questions
What is Phase VI of mandatory gold hallmarking and which districts were added effective March 2, 2026?
Phase VI of mandatory gold hallmarking came into effect on March 2, 2026, adding 7 new districts across India under BIS regulation. Beawar in Rajasthan was among the districts added, bringing the national total of covered districts to 380.
What is HUID and what purpose does it serve in gold hallmarking?
HUID (Hallmarking Unique ID) is a 6-digit alphanumeric code assigned to each hallmarked gold article in India. It enables full traceability of gold jewellery — consumers can verify the purity and origin of any hallmarked piece by entering the HUID on the BIS Care app.
When was mandatory gold hallmarking first launched in India and how has its coverage expanded?
Mandatory gold hallmarking was first launched in June 2021 starting with 256 districts across India. It has since expanded in phases, reaching 380 districts by Phase VI in March 2026, progressively covering more districts to ensure consumer protection nationwide.
Which regulatory body governs gold hallmarking in India and under what law does it operate?
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) regulates gold hallmarking in India under the BIS Act 2016. BIS is a statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution that sets and enforces quality and safety standards across various sectors.
Why is Beawar in Rajasthan significant in the context of gold hallmarking expansion?
Beawar is listed as a district in Rajasthan and was one of the seven districts added in Phase VI. Its inclusion in Phase VI mandatory hallmarking ensures that consumers in this commercially important jewellery market are protected from adulterated or mis-certified gold.
