Rajasthan mandates Class I/II weighing scales for gold and silver trade
Synopsis
Rajasthan has quietly enacted one of India's tightest weighing standards for gold and silver trade — mandating Class I or Class II scales with a 1-milligram verification interval, effective just before Diwali. For consumers buying gold by the fraction of a gram, the rule change could mean the difference between getting what they pay for and being systematically short-changed.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan has made Class I (special accuracy) or Class II (high accuracy) weighing scales mandatory for all gold and silver commercial transactions, effective 30 October 2026 .
Scales must have a verification interval of 1 milligram or less under the new rules.
The Rajasthan Legal Metrology (Enforcement) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 were notified by the Department of Consumer Affairs .
Traders must hold valid verification certificates and procure compliant equipment immediately if they do not already possess it.
Consumer Affairs Minister Sumit Godara linked the move to ensuring transparency during the Diwali festive season and year-round.
Consumers can report weighing discrepancies via the Rajasthan Consumer Helpline at 14435 .
The Rajasthan government has made high-precision weighing scales mandatory for all commercial transactions involving gold, silver, and other precious metals, effective 30 October 2026, under newly notified legal metrology rules aimed at protecting consumers from inaccurate weighing. The move comes just ahead of the peak Diwali festive buying season, when demand for precious metals surges sharply across the state.
What the New Rules Require
The Department of Consumer Affairs has notified the Rajasthan Legal Metrology (Enforcement) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, which came into force on 30 October 2026. Under the amended provisions, all jewellers, bullion traders, and establishments dealing in precious metals are required to use only Class I (special accuracy) or Class II (high accuracy) weighing scales. Critically, the scales must carry a verification interval of 1 milligram or less, ensuring that even tiny quantities of gold or silver are measured with the highest possible precision.
Traders must also hold valid verification certificates for their weighing instruments, with all scales required to undergo verification in accordance with existing legal metrology regulations. Establishments that do not currently possess compliant equipment have been directed to procure the requisite instruments without delay.
What the Government Said
Consumer Affairs Minister Sumit Godara said the initiative is designed to ensure accurate weighing and transparency in gold and silver transactions, particularly during the Diwali festive season. He added that the new provisions would help minimise irregularities in the weighing of precious metals and ensure that consumers receive the correct quantity of gold or silver in proportion to the amount paid.
Why It Matters for Consumers
Gold and silver are among the most value-dense commodities purchased by Indian households, where even a fraction of a gram's discrepancy can translate into a significant financial loss. The 1-milligram verification interval is notably more stringent than general commercial weighing norms, directly addressing a long-standing consumer grievance in the gems and jewellery trade. This is the second amendment to Rajasthan's legal metrology enforcement rules in 2026, signalling an active push by the state on consumer protection in high-value retail.
The department has also appealed to consumers to remain vigilant while purchasing gold and silver during Diwali, check the weight displayed carefully, and report any discrepancies. Complaints can be registered through the Rajasthan Consumer Helpline by calling 14435.
Compliance and Enforcement
The Department of Consumer Affairs has directed all jewellers, bullion traders, and precious metals establishments to comply with the revised standards immediately. Non-compliant businesses risk action under the Legal Metrology Act. The state government said the revised rules are intended to strengthen consumer confidence and promote fair trade practices in the precious metals market, setting a precedent that other states may consider adopting given the national scale of festive-season gold trade.
Point of View
When gold purchases peak — is deliberate and shrewd, but the real test is enforcement, not notification. Legal metrology rules in India have historically suffered from weak on-ground inspection, and jewellery traders in smaller towns often operate far outside formal compliance frameworks. A 1-milligram verification interval is technically rigorous; what remains unclear is how frequently weighing instruments will actually be inspected and whether non-compliant traders will face meaningful consequences. Rajasthan's move could serve as a useful template for other states, but only if it is backed by a credible inspection regime rather than a festive-season press release.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new weighing rules for gold and silver trade in Rajasthan?
Under the Rajasthan Legal Metrology (Enforcement) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective 30 October 2026, all jewellers and bullion traders must use Class I (special accuracy) or Class II (high accuracy) weighing scales with a verification interval of 1 milligram or less. Traders must also hold valid verification certificates for their instruments.
Why has Rajasthan introduced these precision weighing rules?
The rules are aimed at preventing consumers from being short-changed when purchasing gold or silver, particularly during high-demand periods like Diwali. Even a fraction of a gram's discrepancy in precious metal weighing can cause significant financial loss for buyers, and the new standards are intended to close that gap.
Which traders are required to comply with the new rules?
All jewellers, bullion traders, and any commercial establishment dealing in gold, silver, or other precious metals in Rajasthan must comply. Non-compliant businesses have been directed to procure the required Class I or Class II weighing instruments immediately.
How can consumers report weighing discrepancies in Rajasthan?
Consumers can register complaints through the Rajasthan Consumer Helpline by calling 14435. The Department of Consumer Affairs has urged buyers to check the displayed weight carefully when purchasing gold or silver and report any inconsistencies.
What is the significance of a 1-milligram verification interval?
A 1-milligram verification interval means the weighing scale must be accurate to within 1 milligram, which is far more precise than general commercial weighing standards. For precious metals sold at thousands of rupees per gram, even a small discrepancy compounds into a substantial overcharge over multiple transactions.
