India’s silver jewellery sector is undergoing a major transformation as mandatory Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID) comes into effect for all hallmarked silver articles. Within just three months of rollout, over 17 lakh silver items have already been laser-marked with HUID, signalling strong support from jewellers and growing trust among consumers. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has projected that this shift will significantly curb counterfeit hallmarking and bring silver purity assurance on par with gold.While hallmarking of silver remains voluntary, the Government of India has mandated that any voluntarily hallmarked silver article must now carry a unique six-digit HUID code. The rule, implemented on 1 September 2025, marks a new era of transparency in the country’s rapidly expanding silver market.
According to BIS data, purity grades 925 and 800 dominate the early phase, accounting for nearly 90% of all hallmarked silver items. The southern region leads hallmarking volumes, followed by the western and eastern regions. Categories such as payal, anklets and silver diyas make up the largest share of hallmarked silver, reflecting traditional consumer preferences across India.
In FY 2024–25, nearly 32 lakh silver articles were hallmarked nationwide. The swift rise after HUID’s introduction indicates that jewellers view the system as a credible tool to strengthen trust and authenticity. Consumers, too, are increasingly leaning towards certified silver products as awareness improves.
Union Minister Highlights the Fight Against Fake Hallmarking
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, emphasised the significance of the initiative in a social media post. He noted that HUID equips each piece of jewellery with a traceable identity, making counterfeiting exceedingly difficult. The Minister added that the system ensures “complete digital traceability and enhanced consumer protection”, helping eliminate duplicate or misleading hallmarking practices.
His statement underscores the government’s broader objective: protecting household consumers for whom silver remains both a cultural asset and a form of financial security.
What the Six-Digit HUID Means for Consumers
HUID is laser-etched onto every hallmarked silver article along with the BIS Standard Mark, purity grade and the word “SILVER”. Consumers can verify authenticity instantly on the BIS CARE mobile app. The app displays the purity, product type, jeweller’s details and the certified Assaying & Hallmarking Centre.
The BIS CARE app, available in 12 languages, offers a simple interface for checking purity a major advantage in a market often marred by imitation and adulteration.
Purity Grades and Popular Product Categories
Silver hallmarking in India now covers seven purity grades 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999. Recent additions include high-purity grades 958 and 999 to align with global standards.
Top hallmarked categories since the launch include:
- Payal/Anklets – 27% (mostly 800 purity)
- Silver diyas and lamps – 7% (primarily 800 and 925 purity)
- Silver plates – 7%
- Idols – 4% (almost all 925 purity)
- Silver coins – 4% (primarily 990 purity)
- Waist chains – 2%
- Bracelets – 1.7%
BIS Continues Nationwide Awareness Drives
The Bureau of Indian Standards is conducting awareness campaigns across the country to help jewellers transition smoothly to the HUID system. These include consumer workshops, industry interactions and digital outreach efforts. The aim is to ensure that buyers recognise the BIS Hallmark and understand the importance of HUID in safeguarding their interests.
Background: A Strong Foundation from Gold Hallmarking
India’s gold jewellery already functions under a fully digitised HUID-based system, covering 373 districts. With 1610 BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centres and more than 2.08 lakh registered jewellers, over 56 crore gold articles have been hallmarked to date. The proven success of HUID in gold paved the way for its extension to silver.
Introducing mandatory HUID for hallmarked silver is thus a natural step towards eradicating purity-related fraud and ensuring that every BIS-marked silver piece reflects genuine quality.