National News
MSME Ministry Grants Approval to IGJS Jaipur 2025 Under PMS Scheme
The International Gem & Jewellery Show Jaipur 2025, scheduled from April 3rd to 5th, gains official recognition under the Procurement & Marketing Support (PMS) Scheme by the Ministry of MSME.
The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has announced that the International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS) Jaipur 2025, taking place from April 3rd to 5th, has officially received approval under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises’ (MSME) Procurement & Marketing Support (PMS) Scheme.

Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of GJEPC, expressed pride in this achievement, stating, “This approval reflects the tireless efforts of the GJEPC team and the valuable strategic support from our government departments. It underscores the Council’s commitment to fostering the growth of the gem and jewellery sector.”
The GJEPC also extended its heartfelt gratitude to the government officials who played a crucial role in securing this approval, including Dr. Rajneesh, Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner; Ms. Ashwani Lal, Additional Development Commissioner; and Mr. Gaurav Joshi, Joint Director & HOO, Rajasthan. Their collaborative efforts were key in making this milestone possible.
National News
Government adds 7 new districts for mandatory gold hallmarking, taking total to 380
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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