India sets mandatory gold hallmarking coverage at 385 districts
Gold jewellers must verify store-level coverage under the revised 385-district annexure
Change
India notified the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Second Amendment) Order, 2026, replacing the mandatory hallmarking annexure with a revised list covering 385 districts.
Why it matters
The amendment resets the district coverage map for mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery and gold artefacts. Jewellers, manufacturers and multi-state chains must map store and supply locations against the revised annexure because sales in covered districts remain tied to BIS registration and HUID hallmarking compliance.
Implications
- — Gold jewellery retailers must verify whether each store location falls within the revised 385-district annexure — newly covered locations activate mandatory hallmarking obligations for gold jewellery and gold artefact sales.
- — Jewellers operating in covered districts must keep BIS registration and HUID hallmarking controls aligned with the revised annexure — selling covered gold jewellery without required hallmarking falls outside the mandatory hallmarking regime.
- — Gold jewellery manufacturers and wholesalers supplying covered districts must separate hallmarked stock for covered retail locations from stock moving to non-covered districts — mixed coverage handling creates compliance gaps for downstream retailers.
Who is affected
- — Gold jewellery retailers operating stores in listed districts
- — Gold jewellery manufacturers and wholesalers supplying covered districts
- — Compliance teams at multi-state jewellery chains
What to watch
- — Effective date — the amendment came into force on publication in the Official Gazette.