Gold Guides — Expert Analysis & Buying Guides

Gold Mutual Funds and Gold ETFs are the most practical gold investments in 2026, since fresh Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) tranches stopped in February 2024. ETFs offer low costs (0.4–1%) and high liquidity; gold mutual funds allow monthly SIPs from ₹100–500 with no Demat account. Existing SGBs can still be bought on the NSE/BSE secondary market and pay a 2.5% annual coupon with tax-free maturity.

22K (916) gold is 91.6% pure and is the standard for jewellery in India because it is durable enough for daily wear. 24K (999) gold is 99.9% pure — the purest form — but too soft for jewellery, so it is used for coins, bars and digital gold. 24K is better for investment; 22K is better for ornaments.

Since 2021, all gold jewellery sold in India must carry a BIS hallmark with a 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number. Download the free BIS Care App, scan or enter the HUID, and the Bureau of Indian Standards confirms the purity (e.g. 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K), the jeweller and whether the hallmark is genuine.

A gold loan is usually cheaper and faster than a personal loan because it is secured by your gold. Gold loan interest rates typically start from around 9–12% per annum (varies by lender and LTV), versus 10.5–24% for unsecured personal loans. Disbursal can happen in minutes with KYC. A personal loan suits borrowers who do not have gold to pledge or do not want to risk it.

Most analysts remain broadly bullish for 2026–2027, though gains will likely be smaller than the ~47% surge seen in 2025. The World Bank projects a 2026 average near $4,700/oz, while JP Morgan sees gold heading towards $6,000–6,300/oz by end-2027. In rupees that roughly implies 24K gold of ₹1,45,000–1,90,000 per 10g, subject to USD/INR, duties and geopolitics.

The final price = (gold rate per gram × weight in grams) + making charges + 3% GST, with the gold rate taken at the day's BIS-hallmarked 22K price and making charges expressed per gram or as a percentage (typically 8–25% for jewellery). Wastage charges are now largely replaced by fixed making charges under BIS rules.