BIS Hallmarking Registration for Silver in India
Ministry officials have signalled that mandatory silver hallmarking may be considered after a review period, but no confirmed timeline has been officially notified: Bureau of Indian Standards.
Ministry officials have indicated that mandatory silver hallmarking can be considered after a review period. The Bureau has not issued any official notification for this update. The BIS Silver Hallmarking Scheme in India is a voluntary scheme for hallmarking silver jewellery and ornaments manufactured and sold by jewellers, administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It has been in effect since October 2005, and BIS revised the standard to IS 2112:2025, which has been in effect since 1st September 2025, to include HUID-based hallmarking of silver, similar to gold, through the BIS Care app.
Whereas gold hallmarks have progressed consistently through mandatory stages in notified districts, silver has followed a unique path through a voluntary route, which continues to provide jewellers with an option to earn consumers’ confidence now and in the future.
"Silver may still choose its path to certification, but every hallmark stamped today is a step toward a fraud-free tomorrow."
What Is BIS Silver Hallmarking?
BIS Silver Hallmarking is a certification process for purity provided by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to assure the quality and authenticity of silver articles in India. While hallmarking of gold is mandatory in several regions, hallmarking of silver is currently voluntary for jewellers. Nevertheless, should the jeweller decide to sell the item that carries the BIS hallmark, it must have the HUID code.
Is BIS Hallmarking Mandatory for Silver?
No, the BIS hallmark on silver is voluntary in India. According to Ministry officials, a switch from the current voluntary system to a mandatory one can become a reality after the review period, making silver markings more similar to those of gold. At present, the Bureau has made no official announcement regarding a specific timeframe; all information about the mandatory nature of silver hallmarking should be regarded as unconfirmed.
For the time being, the latest revision of the standard IS 2112, released in 2025, has significantly changed the scheme in preparation for its widespread use. The new scheme added two new grades of purity, 958 and 999, and abolished the old 900 grade that was used in the previous IS 2112:2014 version of the standard.
Purity Grades Under IS 2112:2025 for Hallmarking for Silver
Under the updated Bureau of Indian Standards standard IS 2112:2025, India recognises seven distinct purity grades for silver articles and jewellery.
| Silver Purity Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 800 | A lower-purity silver grade suitable for specific silver articles and products. |
| 835 | A traditional silver purity grade used for certain jewellery and silver articles. |
| 925 | A widely used sterling silver grade containing 92.5% silver, commonly used for jewellery because of its durability. |
| 958 | A high-purity silver grade introduced under the revised IS 2112:2025 standard. |
| 970 | A high-fineness silver grade suitable for fine silver articles and artefacts. |
| 990 | A very high-purity silver grade used for fine silver products and artefacts. |
| 999 | A high-purity grade containing 99.9% silver, introduced under the revised IS 2112:2025 standard. |
| 900 | This grade has been removed from the revised IS 2112:2025 standard and was present in the earlier IS 2112:2014 standard. |
Understanding the Silver Hallmark — HUID System
IS 2112:2025 mandates that every hallmark silver marking be based on an easy-to-trace, digitally traceable model comprising three key elements, replacing the previous model requiring four marks under IS 2112:2014.
- BIS Standard Mark: Has "SILVER" written in it to differentiate it from the gold hallmark.
- Purity Grade: Is one of the seven officially recognised purity grades (800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990, 999).
- HUID Code: Unique alphanumeric code issued to all hallmarked products.
In the past, silver hallmarks consisted of four marks: the BIS mark, purity grade, testing centre mark, and jeweller/manufacturer mark, which made them easier to duplicate and harder to verify digitally.
Applicable Indian Standards
The registration of silver hallmarks is in accordance with IS 2112:2025, which sets out requirements and purity standards for silver jewellery and artefacts.
IS 2112:2025
Revised Indian standard for hallmarking silver jewellery and artefacts. Defines purity standards of seven different grades: 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990, and 999.
IS 15820:2009
Sets out the general requirements for setting up and running BIS Assaying and Hallmarking Centres.
Types of Registration
There are two types of registration provided by BIS under its hallmarking scheme for silver, depending on whether the need is to sell hallmarked silver or to establish a testing laboratory.
Jeweller/Showroom Registration
This type of registration is required for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of hallmarked silver jewellery and artefacts. Jeweller registration can be done through the BIS portal (manakonline.in).
AHC (Assaying and Hallmarking Centre) Recognition
Laboratories seeking recognition from BIS for the hallmarking of silver articles must comply with the same level of infrastructure and quality control system as followed by gold AHCs, in accordance with the standard IS 15820:2009.
Eligibility Criteria
Any business entity involved in the production or sale of silver jewellery and objects is eligible for the BIS Silver Hallmarking Registration, provided the following criteria are met:
- Valid Business Entity: Must have a legal business registration (such as a company incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or proprietorship document).
- GST Registration: Must possess an active Goods and Services Tax (GST) number linked to the business premises.
- Physical Business Premises: Must operate from a designated, fixed business location or sales outlet. Separate registration is required for each distinct retail outlet or premise.
- Compliance Ready: Must agree to submit silver items for testing only to BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) and follow the standards specified for silver fineness (such as 925 or 999 purity grades).
Documents Required
To obtain the BIS hallmark for silver in India, identity, business, and premises must be verified through the Manak Online Portal.
- PAN Card of Business/Signatory
- GST Registration Certificate
- Business Registration Certificate / Partnership Deed / Incorporation / MOA
- Trade License or CA Certificate
- Identity Proof of Signatory
- Proof of Premises
- Property Tax or IT Assessment Order
- Annual Turnover Proof
- Email ID and mobile number
- Address of Showroom/Outlet
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Registration under the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Hallmarking scheme for selling jewellery made of silver in India requires the following steps:
Access Portal
Visit manakonline.in or NSWS (nsws.gov.in).
Navigate to the Hallmarking Tab
Click on "For Jeweller Registration" which takes you to NSWS.
Look for Registration
Search for "Hallmark" then choose "Registration of jewellers for selling Hallmarked jewellery/artefacts".
Login/Register
Use your existing credentials or by making a new registration.
Fill the Form
Give information about your business, contact and outlets (ensure you mention silver).
OTP Authentication
Verify via OTP on mobile and a verification link sent to your email.
Get the Certificate Instantly
The certificate is provided instantly upon successful submission.
Hallmark through AHC
Submit silver artefacts to any BIS-approved AHC for testing & hallmarking.
How Silver Is Assayed and Hallmarked
The test procedure for assaying and hallmarking silver jewellery is similar to that for gold jewellery and is conducted by BIS-recognized Assaying & Hallmarking Centres (AHCs).
- Sample Collection: Silver jewellery samples received from a jeweller and recorded.
- Assaying: XRF gives a quick, non-destructive scan of purity; Fire Assay (Cupellation) ensures accurate fineness of disputed or borderline purity.
- Verification: Purity is determined through assay and tested for conformity to the declared grade (seven grades are available: 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990, 999).
- Marking & Delivery: Silver jewellery marked using BIS Standard Mark ("SILVER"), Purity Grade, and HUID. The test results and HUID are entered into the BIS database for traceability, and hallmarked jewellery is delivered to the jeweller for sales.
Fees for Silver Hallmark Registration & Testing
Penalties for BIS Hallmarking Registration for Silver in India
Since hallmarking silver as per IS 2112:2025 is currently voluntary, there is no penalty for selling silver jewellery without a hallmark in India. But once the jeweller gets registered and uses the BIS mark, misuse is a punishable offence.
- Voluntary: No punishment for the sale of silver jewellery without a hallmark.
- Misuse of BIS mark/HUID (Section 29(2)): Imprisonment up to 1 year.
- Fine: not less than ₹1 lakh, up to 5 times the value of goods, or both.
- Where value cannot be determined, one year's production is deemed; the turnover of the seller is considered to determine the fine.
- AHC rule: Silver to be hallmarked only through BIS-accredited AHCs.
- Risk in future: Mandatory hallmarking will attract harsher Section 29(3) penalties (up to 2 years, ₹2–5 lakh, 10x value), similar to gold.
How does ERCS Private Limited help in obtaining BIS Hallmarking Registration for silver?
ERCS Private Limited simplifies the Silver BIS Hallmarking registration process for jewellers, showrooms, and manufacturers.
Eligibility evaluation
Evaluates the appropriate registration category depending on the type of business and existing gold registration.
Documentation
Preparing the documentation for proof of business, proof of premises, GST/PAN number, etc.
Filing of application
Filing of the application through the BIS website manakonline.in, indicating silver jewellery.
BIS coordination
Coordination with regional BIS offices for queries and follow-up of applications.
AHC guidance
Guidance on contact with BIS-registered Assaying and Hallmarking Centres for testing of silver.
Compliance monitoring
Monitoring changes in regulations, including any push towards mandatory silver hallmarking.
Penalty prevention
Highlighting potential loopholes that may result in misuse-of-mark offences under Section 29 of the BIS Act.
