What changed in March 2026?
A Press Information Bureau notice dated 13 March 2026 reported that seven districts were added with effect from 2 March 2026, taking the number covered under mandatory hallmarking to 380 at that point. The notification listed Rupnagar, Banda, Beed, Gomati, Katihar, Beawar and Neemuch as newly added districts.
Why the date matters
BIS maintains a dedicated mandatory hallmarking order page listing later amendments, including amendments dated April and August 2026. Therefore “380 districts” is a historically accurate March 2026 figure, not a claim about the latest count in November 2026. Businesses must check the current notification and district list.
Gold grades covered
The March 2026 government release identifies six grades under mandatory hallmarking: 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K and 24KS. It separately says 9K hallmarking is a voluntary grade at that time.
What businesses should do
- Confirm whether the outlet/district is newly notified.
- Read the effective date, exemptions and applicable gold grades in the latest official order.
- Maintain correct records and use BIS recognised centres.
- Keep customers informed of HUID verification through the official BIS Care application.