Overview
- The Bureau of Indian Standards notified the change on September 14, 2026, raising the gold hallmarking fee from ₹45 to ₹75 per article and setting a ₹200 minimum charge per gold consignment.
- Silver charges remain ₹35 per article with a ₹150 minimum consignment fee, while the new gold rate represents a 67% per-article rise.
- BIS told media the increase reflects higher costs for upgraded HUID features, greater verification work and testing-laboratory upkeep that it says must be recovered from users.
- The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council has formally protested, saying the timing ahead of the festive season and higher costs for small consignments threaten compliant jewellers and asked the government to review the move.
- Industry groups warn the minimum fee will especially hit one- and two-item consignments and could push some business toward unauthorised or fake hallmarking unless enforcement of illegal centres is stepped up.