Silver Hallmarking in India: New BIS Requirements Under IS 2112:2025

On 1 September 2025, BIS launched voluntary HUID-based hallmarking for silver jewellery and silver articles — a milestone in India's precious metal regulation framework.

The New Standard: IS 2112:2025

The revised standard IS 2112:2025 replaces the older IS 2112:2014 and aligns silver hallmarking with the established gold HUID system. It introduces seven purity grades:

The 958 and 999 grades are newly added under the revised standard.

The Three Hallmark Components

Every hallmarked silver article carries:

1. BIS Standard Mark with the word "SILVER"
2. Purity Grade Number (e.g. 925 for sterling silver)
3. HUID Code — a unique six-character alphanumeric code, identical in concept to the gold HUID

Early Adoption Numbers

The industry response has been strong. Within three months of launch, over 17 lakh (1.7 million) silver articles were registered under the new system. Currently, 230 Assaying & Hallmarking Centres are recognized for silver testing across 87 districts.

Will Silver Hallmarking Become Mandatory?

BIS Director General Pramod Kumar Tiwari has indicated that mandatory silver hallmarking is under evaluation and may be implemented after a six-month review of the voluntary phase. Jewellers dealing in silver would benefit from getting ahead of this transition by voluntarily hallmarking their silver articles now.

Testing Methodology

Silver articles are tested using XRF spectrometry, the same non-destructive method used for gold. The XRF instruments in BIS-authorized hallmarking centres are calibrated for accurate silver analysis across all seven fineness grades.

What Jewellers Should Do Now

Jewellers selling silver articles should register with BIS if they haven't already, and begin submitting silver articles for voluntary hallmarking. Early compliance positions jewellers favourably for when the mandate arrives and builds consumer trust in the interim.