BIS raised the gold hallmarking charge to Rs 75 per article, a 67% jump from the Rs 45 fee that had been in force for years—effective immediately after the Hallmarking (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 were notified on September 14. The new schedule also imposes a Rs 200 minimum per consignment, while silver articles stay at Rs 35 with a Rs 150 minimum, maintaining a clear distinction between the two metals.
The All India Gem and Jewellery Council (GJC) slammed the decision, with Rajesh Rokde, chairman, saying the industry cannot shoulder a cost hike that eclipses the importance of fighting fake hallmarking and unauthorized operations. Vice‑chairman Avinash Gupta warned that a higher fee could widen the gap between compliant and informal operators, eroding consumer confidence.
Shares of Kalyan Jewellers, PC Jewellers and several peers fell as much as 4% on Wednesday, while the newly listed Lalithaa Jewellery Mart slipped 5% on its debut. The price shock is already echoing in the market, with traders citing the hike as a new cost burden that may soon be passed to end‑users.
Because the fee applies uniformly to every gold article regardless of weight, a 1‑gram trinket and a 30‑gram necklace both incur the same Rs 75 compliance cost—making the impact feel heavier for mass‑market, lower‑value pieces that middle‑income buyers often purchase before festivals.
The GJC has called for an emergency meeting with BIS to reconsider the fee, and industry insiders expect the board to revisit the regulations in the coming weeks as the jewellery sector grapples with rising gold prices and the new compliance load.