Today's Gold Rate in India

How Is the Gold Rate in India Decided?

The gold rate you pay in India is built from four moving parts. First is the international spot price of gold, quoted in US dollars per troy ounce (about 31.1 grams) and traded around the clock on global markets. Second is the US dollar to Indian rupee exchange rate — when the rupee weakens, gold gets costlier in India even if the dollar price is flat. Third are import duties and taxes: India imports almost all of its gold, so customs duty plus a 3% GST is added on top. Fourth is the local jeweller margin and making charges, which vary by city, brand and design.

Because the first two factors change every second, the gold rate is never truly "fixed" for the day. Most jewellers and bullion associations publish an opening rate each morning and may revise it once or twice as global markets move. The prices on this page are refreshed automatically every day from live bullion and currency data, then adjusted for Indian duty, GST and a typical retail margin — so they closely track what you will be quoted, though your final bill depends on the specific jeweller and making charges.

Which Gold Purity Should You Buy?

24 carat (24K, 999) is 99.9% pure gold. It is the softest and most valuable form, ideal for coins, bars and investment, but too soft for everyday jewellery. 22 carat (22K, 916) is 91.6% pure — gold mixed with a little copper or silver for strength. Almost all Indian gold jewellery is 22K because it holds intricate designs and daily wear far better. 18 carat (18K, 750) is 75% pure and even more durable, popular for diamond and stone-studded jewellery and modern lightweight designs.

The higher the purity, the higher the price per gram — which is why 24K always costs more than 22K, and 22K more than 18K. When you buy, always match purity to purpose: coins and investment in 24K, traditional jewellery in 22K, and studded or contemporary pieces in 18K. Whatever you choose, insist on BIS hallmarking with a 6-digit HUID so you actually get the purity you pay for.

Physical Gold vs SGB vs Digital Gold vs Gold ETF

If you're buying gold as an investment rather than jewellery, you have four main routes. Physical gold (coins and bars) is tangible and liquid, but you pay 3% GST, making charges on coins, and bear storage cost and risk. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) are the most efficient for long holders — they track the gold price, pay 2.5% annual interest, and the capital gain is tax-free at maturity, with no making charges or storage. Digital gold lets you start from ₹1 and sell back instantly, ideal for small, flexible savings, though it carries a buy-sell spread and 3% GST. Gold ETFs trade on the stock exchange like shares, need a demat account, and suit investors who want easy in-and-out liquidity.

A simple rule of thumb: choose SGB for long-term wealth, digital gold for small regular savings, ETFs for trading flexibility, and physical gold only when you actually want to hold or gift the metal. Use the calculator above to compare the real cost of physical gold against these paper alternatives before you commit.

Tax on Gold in India

When you buy gold, you pay 3% GST on the value of the metal, plus 3% GST on making charges for jewellery. When you sell, profits are taxed as capital gains: sell within a short holding period and the gain is added to your income at slab rate; hold longer and long-term capital gains rules apply. Sovereign Gold Bonds are the notable exception — the capital gain on redemption at maturity is fully tax-exempt. Keeping your purchase invoice and hallmark details makes any future sale or gold loan far smoother.