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JOSH convocation ceremony celebrates graduates, including specially abled candidates

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The Jewellery Occupational Skilling Hub (JOSH), the first-ever industry-funded, state-of-the-art training centre of the Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI), held its convocation ceremony at Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC SEEPZ, Mumbai on 12th February. The event celebrated the graduation of 136 candidates, comprising the ninth batch of regular trainees and the second and third batches of Specially Abled Persons.

The convocation was graced by dignitaries including chief guest Mr. Dnyaneshwar B. Patil, IAS, Development Commissioner, SEEPZ-SEZ; Mr. Raghuraj Rajendran, IAS, Secretary (Technical Education), Skill Development and Employment, Government of Madhya Pradesh; and Mr. Sriram Natarajan, Managing Director, Gemological Institute of America (GIA); Also present on the occasion was Shri. Milan Chokshi, Chairman, GJSCI.

In his welcome address, Mr. Milan Chokshi congratulated the graduates for their dedication and perseverance in joining the gems and jewellery industry. He also extended gratitude to industry partners, including Mega CFC, SEEPZ Development Commissioner’s office, and GIA, for their continuous support in bridging the skill gap in the sector.

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National News

Government adds 7 new districts  for mandatory gold hallmarking, taking total to 380

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New Delhi, March 5, 2026 — In a decisive step towards fortifying consumer safeguards and elevating transparency in the precious metals ecosystem, the Central Government has promulgated the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2026, effective March 2, 2026. This pivotal amendment, issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and published in the Official Gazette, revises the territorial annexure originally established under the 2020 Hallmarking Order.

The notification substitutes the prior district schedule with an optimized, expanded framework, progressively incorporating additional jurisdictions to achieve broader nationwide coverage. As part of the sixth phase of phased implementation, this update integrates seven new districts—Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttor Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan), and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh)—elevating the total number of districts under mandatory BIS hallmarking to 380.

This calibrated expansion aligns with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, and follows extensive stakeholder consultations, underscoring the Government’s commitment to public interest priorities. In notified districts, all gold jewellery and artefacts must now bear the authoritative BIS hallmark, encompassing the BIS logo, precise purity grade (covering 14K to 24K caratages), and requisite identification marks. This standardized certification mechanism effectively mitigates adulteration risks, empowers informed consumer decision-making, and fosters greater accountability across the gold value chain.

Building on successive amendments—including the most recent prior update in July 2025—the 2026 Order accelerates the phased mandate initiated in 2021, transitioning from initial coverage of 256 districts towards comprehensive penetration in tier-2 and tier-3 markets. The initiative reinforces trust in domestic gold transactions amid elevated commodity prices and positions India’s jewellery sector for enhanced global competitiveness through uniform quality assurance protocols.

Industry participants in the newly designated districts are advised to expedite alignment with BIS certification and assaying requirements to ensure seamless compliance and uninterrupted operations.

This forward-looking regulatory measure reaffirms the Government’s proactive stance in delivering value-driven consumer protection while driving sustainable growth in one of India’s cornerstone retail and cultural sectors.

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