India is advancing toward mandatory silver hallmarking as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) reviews the infrastructure, testing capacity, and regulatory framework needed for a nationwide rollout. The move aims to bolster consumer confidence, improve traceability, and bring consistent standards to the country’s silver market.
BIS is currently evaluating the readiness of the hallmarking ecosystem before implementing compulsory compliance. While hallmarking for silver jewellery and artefacts has been available on a voluntary basis for many years, authorities are now planning a structured transition to mandatory certification to ensure wider coverage and reliability.
A notable development was the September 2025 introduction of the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system for silver articles. This digital identification system improves transparency and traceability by allowing consumers and regulators to verify the authenticity and purity of hallmarked silver items more reliably.
The silver market differs from gold in its diversity: it includes jewellery, religious articles, decorative pieces, utensils, collectibles, and artefacts sold through a wide range of retail channels in both urban and rural areas. That variety creates challenges for regulators seeking to apply uniform quality standards across the sector.
BIS Director General Sanjay Garg has said the standards body is taking a careful, methodical approach to the proposed change. The priority is to ensure that systems, testing facilities, and compliance mechanisms are fully functional before any mandatory framework is enforced, reducing the risk of disruption or unfair burden on stakeholders.
Rather than enforcing the requirement nationwide all at once, BIS plans a phased implementation. A gradual rollout would give manufacturers, retailers, hallmarking centres, and other industry participants time to adapt to the new rules while minimizing trade disruption and operational bottlenecks.
Currently, BIS has recognized about 230 Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) capable of testing and certifying silver jewellery and related products. Expanding this network and increasing operational capacity will be essential steps before compulsory hallmarking can be introduced on a larger scale.
Industry experts say mandatory silver hallmarking could transform the sector by promoting consistent quality, reducing the circulation of substandard products, and strengthening consumer trust. As BIS continues its preparations, the effort reflects a wider push to raise standards and transparency across India’s precious metals industry.