National News
RBI tightens gold loans norms; proposes LTV ratio at 75% of pledged gold’s worth

RBI has proposed sweeping changes to how financial institutions lend against gold, tightening oversight in a bid to curb risks and bring greater transparency to a booming segment of the country’s credit market.
In draft guidelines released April 3, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed capping the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for gold loans at 75% of the pledged gold’s worth. The move would standardize lending limits across banks and nonbank financial companies (NBFCs), ending a pandemic-era relaxation that had allowed NBFCs to lend up to 90% of the value of gold collateral for a year.
The new cap would apply uniformly, regardless of whether loans are intended for consumption, business, or other purposes—a significant shift that levels the regulatory playing field for NBFCs and banks alike.These proposals aim to harmonize regulations across entities while aligning them with risk-taking capabilities according to RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
India is one of the world’s largest consumers of gold, and borrowing against jewelry and bullion is a common way for households and small businesses to access credit. The sector has grown rapidly, particularly through NBFCs that target less formal borrowers, raising concerns about inconsistent lending practices and over-leveraging.
In addition to the LTV cap, the RBI is pushing for enhanced internal controls and transparency. Lenders will be expected to establish their own LTV thresholds based on internal risk assessments. A standardized valuation framework will also be introduced to ensure consistency in assessing gold collateral across branches.
Under the new rules, banks and NBFCs must disclose the reference price of gold used for loan calculations and implement a uniform methodology to evaluate purity and measure gross and net weights. This information must be made publicly available on their websites.
The proposals are part of the RBI’s broader developmental and regulatory agenda. A public consultation process is now underway, and final guidelines are expected later this year.
The central bank’s move signals a growing focus on borrower protection and market discipline in India’s informal lending space, where gold loans remain a crucial—but sometimes opaque—source of credit.

National News
Aspect Bullion & Refinery to launch 50 gold and silver vending machines nationwide on Akshaya Tritiya

Aspect Bullion and Refinery, a division of Aspect Global Ventures, has announced plans to roll out 50 gold and silver vending machines in the next 12-18 months. These state-of-the-art bullion vending machines have been indigenously developed by Aspect Bullion, assuring complete control over the planogram, software backend, and customer interface, reinforcing Aspect Bullion’s commitment to innovation, transparency and consumer trust. Strategically designated to be placed at high-footfall locations such as major malls, airports, temples, airports and more, the vending machines are designed to make purchasing precious metals faster, safer, and more accessible than ever before. Very soon, the brand will open another store in Mumbai and begin exploring franchise opportunities across India.
In the lead-up to Akshaya Tritiya — a festival synonymous with prosperity and gold purchases — Aspect Bullion has unveiled its first bullion vending machine at R City Mall, Ghatkopar, Mumbai. Shoppers can experience this innovative offering firsthand from April 26 to May 4, 2025.

Commenting on the initiative, Aksha Kamboj, Vice President, India Bullion & Jewellers Association (IBJA) and Executive Chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures said, “Gold and silver have always been an important part of India’s culture and traditions. With our vending machine, we are combining tradition with technology to make buying precious metals easier, safer, and more transparent. Our goal is to give people a simple, convenient, and trusted way to invest in gold and silver. We are proud to launch India’s first bullion vending machine, and we believe this will change how consumers buy precious metals, especially during important occasions like Akshaya Tritiya.”
Each vending machine will offer a curated range of gold and silver coins and bars, featuring exclusive designs and premium packaging. Equipped with real-time market pricing, customers can view live rate updates at the point of purchase.
Security has been a top priority: the machines feature biometric authentication, live CCTV surveillance, backend tracking, and robust anti-tampering technology. Purchases can be completed in under three minutes using a variety of payment options, including UPI, Google Pay, and debit/credit cards. A digital and printed receipt is provided instantly, making the process seamless — simply select, pay, collect, and go. This seamless process allows customers to take spot possession of gold and silver coins, making the purchasing experience truly worthwhile
Aspect Bullion’s vending machine rollout marks a significant shift toward a modern, tech-enabled future for bullion retail in India — while staying true to the tradition and trust that gold embodies.
National News
Gold prices in India, international market dip sharply

Gold prices in India today fell sharply just two days ahead of the major gold-buying festival, Akshaya Tritiya 2025, which will be celebrated on April 30 (Wednesday). The gold rate in India at the beginning of this week showed signs of weakness, following the global spot gold price trend.
As of Monday, April 28, the 22-carat gold rate in India slipped massively by Rs. 620 per 10 grams to cost Rs. 89,400 per 10 grams. While the 24-carat gold prices today dropped hugely by Rs. 680 and are currently at Rs. 97,530 per 10 grams. Similarly, the 18-carat gold rate today retails at Rs 73,150, which dropped by Rs 510.
Gold rates in India are mirroring international market movements. US Gold prices dropped on Tuesday as softening trade tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners dulled the metal’s safe-haven appeal, while investors awaited U.S. economic data to assess the Federal Reserve’s policy path.Spot gold was down 0.8% at $3,314.65 an ounce, as of 0619 GMT. U.S. gold futures lost 0.7% to $3,324.20.
National News
Hari Krishna Exports Mumbai Office celebrates sports day 2025 with energy and smiles

Hari Krishna Exports’ Mumbai office came alive with cheers, excitement, and team spirit during the Annual Sports Day 2025.The event was organized to promote better health, stronger unity, and a sense of teamwork among employees.
Esteemed dignitaries from the diamond industry, along with Ghanshyambhai Dholakia and his family, graced the occasion and encouraged everyone with their presence.
The day began on a heartfelt note with the National Anthem, setting a patriotic tone. Soon after, the field lit up with energy as the games began in full swing.
From cricket tournaments and volleyball to ring football, tug-of-war, kabaddi, kho-kho, running races, and box cricket — both male and female employees participated enthusiastically with bright smiles.
It was wonderful to see everyone, from the youngest members to senior leaders, stepping onto the field with equal excitement.
Winners and runners-up were rewarded with cash prizes, diamond jewelry, branded shoes, and sports watches — a token of appreciation from Hari Krishna Exports for their efforts and team spirit.
To beat the summer heat, ORS water stalls were set up, and a delicious lunch was arranged for everyone.The event was even more special as employees’ families were also invited. Their cheers and support added warmth and joy to the entire atmosphere.

Ghanshyam Dholakia, our visionary founder, shared heartfelt words, praising the energy, effort, and passion shown by every member present.He said, “I saw the energy and love for sports in every participant, from the youngest to the oldest. It made me very happy.””My Hari Krishna team is like my family. I will continue to organise such activities every year with this familyEven those who did not win in this competition are winners for me.”
Sports Day 2025 was not just a celebration of fitness and fun but also a beautiful reminder of the togetherness that makes Hari Krishna Exports truly a family.
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