The government has introduced voluntary digital hallmarking for silver jewellery and articles starting September 1, marking a significant shift towards greater transparency in the precious metals market. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) announced that the new system is designed to ensure authenticity and purity, giving consumers a reliable way to verify the silver they purchase.
The hallmarking system will now feature a unique identification (HUID) code for silver items, similar to the system already in place for gold jewellery. Each piece will carry a digital code that buyers can check using the BIS Care mobile app. Through the app, consumers will be able to access details such as the type of article, purity grade, hallmarking date, assaying centre, and the jeweller’s registration number. Officials said the system is aimed at reducing fraud and instilling greater confidence among buyers.
The updated hallmarking standards, published under IS 2112:2025, replace the earlier IS 2112:2014 rules. They introduce seven purity grades for silver, 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990, and 999. Notably, 958 and 999 have been included for the first time. The hallmark will now have three elements: the BIS Standard Mark with the word “SILVER,” the designated purity grade, and the HUID code.
This revision follows extensive consultations with jewellers, hallmarking centres, and consumer representatives held on August 7. BIS officials noted that industry stakeholders broadly supported the move, seeing it as a way to modernise standards while addressing consumer concerns.
India already has a sizeable infrastructure for hallmarking silver. At present, around 230 BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centres operate across 87 districts. In the financial year 2024-25 alone, more than 32 lakh silver articles were hallmarked under the earlier system, which featured six purity grades and a four-part hallmark.
The transition to the revised system is expected to streamline the hallmarking process and eliminate ambiguity. With the addition of higher purity grades, consumers will now have greater clarity when buying silver articles of different standards. Officials stressed that the shift to digital verification is also a way to adapt to changing market conditions, where online tools are increasingly being used for consumer protection.
Alongside the technical changes, BIS has launched public awareness campaigns through its branch offices and social media channels to familiarise buyers with the new system. The campaigns focus on educating consumers about how to use the BIS Care app to confirm hallmark details before making a purchase.
Industry representatives said the move could boost confidence in the silver market, which is often less regulated compared to gold. With fraud and misrepresentation being recurring concerns, the integration of digital verification is expected to significantly reduce risks. For jewellers, compliance with the new standards will also serve as a mark of credibility.
While hallmarking of gold jewellery became mandatory in 2021, the silver segment has so far operated on a voluntary basis. The government’s decision to extend digital hallmarking to silver is being seen as an effort to align practices across the jewellery industry and provide a consistent consumer protection framework.
Officials said the hallmarking reforms are part of a broader initiative to safeguard consumer rights and strengthen trust in the precious metals sector. By making hallmarking accessible, verifiable, and transparent, the government aims to create a safer marketplace where buyers can make informed decisions without fear of adulteration or misrepresentation.
The introduction of digital hallmarking, according to officials, is ultimately intended to make silver jewellery purchases more reliable while supporting the long-term growth of the sector.
