World Standards Day 2026: BIS launches Silver Refinery Scheme and releases seven new Indian Standards
On World Standards Day, 14 October 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards launched the BIS Silver Refinery Scheme for hallmarking silver bullion and coins and released seven new Indian Standards.
Summary
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) held the national World Standards Day 2026 event in New Delhi on 14 October, with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi giving the presidential address; this year's theme was 'Shared Vision for a Better World: SDG 7 (Clean & Affordable Energy)'. BIS launched the Silver Refinery Scheme, modelled on its Gold Refinery Scheme, under which licensed refineries and mints can hallmark fine silver bullion and coins of 999.9, 999.5 and 999.0 purity. It also released seven new Indian Standards, including IS 19967:2026 for EV charging cables and IS 19891:2026 for pedal-assisted bicycles, launched a BIS Digital Standard Reader, and issued roadmaps for sustainable agriculture and sustainable manufacturing.
Key facts
- Day
- World Standards Day — 14 October
- Theme 2026
- Shared Vision for a Better World: SDG 7 (Clean & Affordable Energy)
- Host
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), New Delhi
- Presided
- Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & PD and New & Renewable Energy
- New scheme
- BIS Silver Refinery Scheme (modelled on Gold Refinery Scheme)
- Silver purity grades
- 999.9, 999.5 and 999.0 ppt (IS 2112:2025, Amendment 1)
- New standards
- 7, incl. IS 19967:2026 (EV charging cables), IS 19891:2026 (pedal-assisted bicycles)
- Other launches
- BIS Digital Standard Reader; roadmaps on sustainable agriculture and manufacturing
- BIS DG
- Sanjay Garg
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What was the theme of World Standards Day 2026 as observed by the Bureau of Indian Standards?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Shared Vision for a Better World: SDG 7 (Clean & Affordable Energy)
Under the BIS Silver Refinery Scheme launched in October 2026, silver bullion and coins of which purity grades can be hallmarked?
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Correct answer: D — 999.9, 999.5 and 999.0
Among the new Indian Standards released by BIS on World Standards Day 2026, IS 19967:2026 covers:
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Correct answer: A — Cables for electric vehicle charging systems