National News
Gold prices in India showed a small recovery after major drop
On May 13, 2025, gold prices in India showed a small recovery after a major fall the day before. With reduced geopolitical tensions, safe-haven demand has declined significantly, causing MCX Gold June futures to drop to Rs 92,975/10 grams. This represents a substantial decrease of nearly Rs 6,500 from its April 22 peak of Rs 99,358/10 grams.
The previous day witnessed weakness in both domestic and international markets. Gold June futures settled lower at Rs 92,901 per 10 grams, declining by 3.75%, whilst silver July futures ended at Rs 95,344 per kilogram, down by 1.43%.
On Monday, gold prices dropped sharply—twice in one day. In the morning, the price of 10 grams of 24-carat gold fell by ₹1,800. Later that evening, it dropped again by ₹1,400. Altogether, gold lost ₹3,200 for every 10 grams, bringing the price down to ₹95,460. This was a big fall, and many people were surprised.
Experts say the main reason for the drop was a change in international and political situations. Tensions between India and Pakistan started to calm down, so people felt safer and didn’t feel the need to invest in gold. Also, on the world stage, the United States and China agreed to pause their tariff hikes for 90 days. This made investors more interested in stocks and other investments instead of gold, which is often seen as a “safe-haven” during uncertain times.
National News
Gold Exchange Schemes See Surge In Demand
Nearly 25% Of All Jewelry Buyers Now Opt For Exchange Programs Instead Of Outright Cash Purchases
In 2026, India’s retail gold sector is witnessing a significant paradigm shift. Driven by a combination of macroeconomic factors and strategic government appeals, gold exchange schemes have emerged as a dominant trend. Nearly 25% of all jewelry buyers now opt for exchange programs instead of outright cash purchases, marking a substantial increase from previous years.
Key Drivers of the Exchange Trend
1. Record-High Gold Prices
The primary economic catalyst for this shift is the unprecedented surge in gold prices. As fresh gold becomes increasingly expensive, consumers are unlocking the value stored in their existing assets rather than stretching their liquid capital to make new purchases.
2. Government Advocacy and Import Reduction
The trend is heavily backed by national policy interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actively appealed to the public to utilize old jewelry for new purchases rather than buying fresh gold. The strategic goal behind this initiative is to curb India’s massive gold imports, thereby strengthening the current account deficit and stabilizing the national economy.
3. Aggressive Jeweler Incentives
Jewelers have rapidly adapted to consumer demand and government alignment by lowering the barriers to entry for exchanges.
Two major policy shifts are driving this retail adoption:
- Zero-Deduction Exchange Schemes: Traditional penalties and melting losses that previously deterred consumers from exchanging gold are being eliminated.
- Relaxed Documentation & Purity Standards: Retailers are now accepting old gold sourced from any jeweler starting at a purity level as low as 9KT, even without original purchase bills.
Market Implications
The 25% Threshold: The fact that a quarter of all jewelry buyers are now choosing exchange programs signifies that gold recycling is no longer a niche or distress-driven activity; it has entered the mainstream consumer behavior matrix.
- For Consumers: This shift provides a highly liquid, cost-effective way to upgrade designs and maintain asset value without facing heavy financial hits or bureaucratic hurdles (like tracking down decades-old receipts).
- For the Economy: By circulating existing domestic gold back into the supply chain, India reduces its reliance on international bullion markets, directly answering the government’s call for macroeconomic resilience.
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