BIS Hallmarking: Reasons why hallmarking is not yet mandatory for silver jewelry—what are the challenges?
The central government intends to make hallmarking mandatory for silver jewelry, just as it is for gold. Currently, hallmarking for silver jewelry and artifacts remains voluntary. A Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number system has been implemented for silver items since September 2025, enabling buyers to verify purity. Let us explore the obstacles standing in the way of making hallmarking and HUID numbers mandatory for silver jewelry and artifacts...
**The Silver Market is Highly Complex**
Sanjay Garg, Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), states that the silver market is quite complex. Unlike gold, silver jewelry and artifacts are sold in both small and large stores, and the category even includes silver furniture. Nevertheless, we are studying the process of making hallmarking mandatory for silver jewelry and artifacts. Additionally, the readiness of the regulatory framework and infrastructure is being assessed.
* 5.9 million (59 lakh) pieces of silver jewelry have been hallmarked.
* As of 2024-25, 230 recognized centers are operational for testing silver jewelry.
**Staff Shortage: A Major Challenge**
According to Garg, only five people handle the entire hallmarking operation at the BIS; the rest of the staff are either private employees or outsourced. Running hallmarking centers with the help of private entities while maintaining trust is a massive undertaking. Despite significant progress in voluntary silver hallmarking, the BIS is proceeding cautiously. "We are deliberately moving at a measured pace. We do not want to make any mistakes. We want to refine the system before making it mandatory. Silver hallmarking will be made mandatory gradually."
Gold Hallmarking System Implemented in 380 Districts
The Central Government is continuously expanding the scope of mandatory gold hallmarking. Recently, the government included seven additional districts in the mandatory gold hallmarking system, bringing the total number of districts where gold hallmarking is mandatory to 380. The Central Government made gold hallmarking mandatory in 2021. Since then, over 600 million gold jewellery pieces and other items have been hallmarked. The BIS has made hallmarking mandatory for gold jewellery and artefacts of 14, 18, 20, 22, 23, and 24 carats. While there is a provision for hallmarking 9-carat jewellery or artefacts, it remains voluntary. The purity of gold jewellery can be verified using the HUID number on the BIS Care app.