BIS plans silver hallmarking, assesses readiness

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is studying the regulatory and infrastructure requirements before making silver hallmarking mandatory across the country, a senior official said on Thursday.

 BIS Director General Sanjay Garg said the organisation is carefully examining implementation challenges due to the diverse nature of India's silver market. Unlike gold, silver products are sold through a much wider network of small and large retailers and include not only jewellery but also artefacts and even furniture. 

  Garg said silver hallmarking is more complex because of the vast market it serves. He noted that BIS wants to ensure that systems are fully prepared before introducing mandatory hallmarking. Silver hallmarking has been voluntary since 2005.  From September 2025, all hallmarked silver articles have been carrying a Hallmark Unique Identification number, allowing consumers to verify the purity and authenticity of products.  

  Garg highlighted the operational challenges faced by the standards body, noting that the entire hallmarking programme within BIS is managed by only five employees, while the rest of the workforce is outsourced or operates through private participation.

  According to official data, the number of hallmarked silver jewellery articles rose sharply to 59 lakh in FY26 from more than 32 lakh in FY25, indicating growing acceptance among consumers and jewellers.