JB Insights
Indian Gold Industry announces ‘Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards’ (IAGES)
IAGES is self-regulatory organization (SRO) for the Indian gold industry, by the Indian gold industry that is supported by the WGC
The Indian gold industry has today announced the formation of the Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES – pronounced as I-AAY-GES), a self regulatory organisation (SRO) created by the Indian gold industry, for the Indian gold industry and supported by the World Gold Council.
IAGES will aim at increasing consumer confidence and enhancing trust in the Indian gold industry through encouraging adoption of fair, transparent and sustainable practices, regulatory compliance, establishing code of conduct and introducing an audit framework – created by the Indian gold industry, for the Indian gold industry across the entire industry value chain. It will be inspired by the World Gold Council’s Retail Gold Investment Principles IAGES will aim to give gold providers a detailed set of best practices and a road map for implementing them.
IAGES will be formed by national industry associations including Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), All India Gems and Jewellery Council of India (GJC) and Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and supported by the World Gold Council.
IAGES logo represents coming together of various stakeholders of the Indian industry for the greater good of the gold industry and colour red denotes purity, commitment and represents India’s warm diversified culture.
IAGES will be independently governed and professionally managed. The Code of Conduct created by it will be available for everyone from the industry, however, its adoption will be entirely voluntary. The registrations for IAGES membership will be announced soon and the organisation will be operational by early 2025.
Sachin Jain, Regional CEO, India, World Gold Council, said, “The gold industry is integral to the Indian economy, contributing approx. 2% to Indian GDP and 3-5mn in employment. The World Gold Council has been promoting a need for creating a Self-regulatory organisation to promote adoption of best practices. The launch of IAGES marks a pivotal step towards enhancing trust for the Indian gold industry. Self-regulation will help empower stakeholders to build a sustainable and trusted gold market. We at the World Gold Council are fully committed to supporting IAGES. It is a unique initiative and global gold industry will be watching it, it should help propel India’s gold market to global prominence.”
Vipul Shah, Chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “The formation of IAGES is a landmark achievement for the Indian gold industry. It underscores our collective commitment to establishing the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and sustainability. By creating a self-regulatory body, we are taking a proactive step to build trust and confidence among Govt., consumers, investors, and international stakeholders in the Indian gem & jewellery industry. IAGES will not only strengthen India’s position as a global gold hub but also drive innovation and growth within the industry.
Saiyam Mehra, Chairman, All India Gems and Jewellery Council of India (GJC); “All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council is honoured to be associated with the IAGES. IAGES is surely the need of the hour, and this collaboration represents a significant step towards advancing the standards of excellence and transparency within the gold industry in India.
Prithviraj Kothari, National President, India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA); “The establishment of IAGES marks a significant milestone for the Indian gold sector, showcasing our united dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and sustainability. Through the creation of a self-regulating entity, we are proactively fostering trust and confidence among governmental bodies, consumers, investors, and international partners within the Indian gem and jewellery domain.
JB Insights
India’s ₹361 Lakh Crore Gold Reserve Lies Idle; PM Modi Calls For Recycling To Cut Imports
With An Estimated 32,000 Tonnes Of Gold Sitting Unused In Homes and Temples, The Government Sees A Massive Opportunity To Reduce Imports, Strengthen The Economy, and Build A More Sustainable Gold Ecosystem.
India is sitting on one of the world’s largest untapped gold reserves, with 30,000–32,000 tonnes of gold held by households and temple trusts across the country. Valued at nearly $3.8 trillion (around Rs. 361 lakh crore), much of this gold remains locked away in cupboards, lockers, and vaults, generating little economic value.
Highlighting the importance of this dormant asset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently encouraged citizens to consider recycling idle gold rather than relying solely on newly imported supplies. The initiative aims to bring existing gold back into circulation and make better use of resources already available within the country.
The appeal comes at a time when India continues to depend heavily on imported gold to meet domestic demand. During 2025-26, the country spent approximately $72.4 billion (Rs. 6.88 lakh crore) on gold imports, making the precious metal one of the largest contributors to the import bill.
According to experts, increasing gold recycling could deliver significant economic benefits. Every gram of recycled gold reduces the need for an equivalent amount of imports, helping ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves while also supporting efforts to narrow the country’s current account deficit.
Even a small shift could have a substantial impact. Industry estimates suggest that if just 1% of the gold held by households and temples is recycled each year, India’s gold imports could decline by approximately 25% to 30%.
The vast stockpile of idle gold is rooted in India’s longstanding cultural and financial relationship with the metal. For generations, gold has served as a store of wealth, a safeguard during emergencies, and a symbol of family security and prosperity. As a result, many families continue to hold jewellery that is rarely used but seldom sold.
Viewed from a broader perspective, the government sees this dormant gold stock as a valuable domestic resource. Bringing a greater share of it into the formal economy could help reduce dependence on imports, enhance economic stability, and create a more sustainable gold supply chain for the future.
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India’s ₹361 Lakh Crore Gold Reserve Lies Idle; PM Modi Calls For Recycling To Cut Imports
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India’s ₹361 Lakh Crore Gold Reserve Lies Idle; PM Modi Calls For Recycling To Cut Imports
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