RAS question
BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Hallmark on gold jewellery certifies:
Correct answer: (B) Purity/fineness of gold.
A BIS Hallmark on gold jewellery certifies the purity or fineness of the gold.
Explanation
The BIS Hallmark is a quality assurance mark for gold jewellery, and its specific certification concerns the gold's purity or fineness. The hallmark purity numbers 916 and 750 denote 22 karat gold and 18 karat gold respectively. BIS hallmarking has been mandatory for gold jewellery in India since June 2021, and the hallmarking framework is tied to identifiable marks such as the BIS logo, the purity or fineness number, the HUID number and the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre mark. BIS hallmarking connects gold jewellery with purity certification, not with design, price or weight.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Design quality is not what the BIS Hallmark certifies; the hallmark is about the purity or fineness of the gold.
- (C) Market price is determined by the market and is not certified by the BIS Hallmark.
- (D) Weight is measured separately; the BIS Hallmark does not certify how much the jewellery weighs.
Concept
BIS hallmarking belongs to standards, certification and consumer protection under Science and Technology. BIS, hallmarking and quality marks are practical governance tools that protect consumers in everyday markets.