India today solidified its position as a global jewellery powerhouse as the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) inaugurated the 4th edition of IIJS Bharat – Tritiya 2026 at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). As the third-largest B2B jewellery trade show in the country, the event serves as a strategic sourcing gateway for the upcoming festive and wedding seasons, bringing together the entire jewellery ecosystem to fulfill the growing procurement needs of both domestic and international markets.
Dignitaries and Industry Leaders
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Smt. Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka. The event was attended by Guests of Honour A. Prasanna Anguraj, Managing Director of Sree Kumaran Thangamaligai, and Pratap Madhukar Kamath, Managing Director of Abaran Timeless Jewellery Pvt. Ltd., alongside Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Mahendra Kumar Tayal, Regional Chairman (South), GJEPC; Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC; Dr. Chetan Kumar Mehta, President, The Jewellers Association Bengaluru (JAB); and Shri Shrikanth Kari, Chairman, Karnataka State Jewellers Federation (KJF), and leading stakeholders from across the global gem and jewellery industry.
Scale and Exhibition Highlights
Supported by the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the 2026 edition has seen a massive scale-up, featuring over 1,100 exhibitors across 1,900+ stalls. The exhibition spans three expansive halls, offering a comprehensive sourcing platform across gold, diamond, silver and studded jewellery, loose natural diamonds, coloured gemstones, couture and fine jewellery, lab-grown diamonds, and machinery and allied segments.
Industry Growth Perspective
Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “India’s gem and jewellery industry continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and a spirit of innovation. Reaching ₹2.28 lakh crore in exports with over 4% growth between April 2025 and February 2026, despite a 44% dip in traditional markets like the U.S., is a testament to our successful strategy of market diversification. With our domestic market projected to reach US$130 billion by 2030 and new FTAs unlocking doors in the UAE, Australia and beyond, we are not just navigating challenges; we are redefining them. IIJS Bharat Tritiya stands as a symbol of this evolution, where the industry’s ability to adapt to rising gold prices through innovative, lighter designs meets a global audience eager for Indian excellence.”
New Participation and IGJME Integration
This year’s show witnesses participation from 270+ new companies, further strengthening the scale and diversity of the exhibition. Running concurrently is the India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo (IGJME) Bharat – Tritiya 2026, showcasing cutting-edge machinery, allied products, and packaging solutions with 79+ companies across 117 stalls. The event serves as a critical bridge between manufacturing excellence and retail demand, particularly for the vibrant southern Indian market.
Government Support and Vision
Highlighting the state’s support for the sector, Smt. Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka said: “The presence of participants from over 500 cities and 40 countries at this 4th edition is a powerful testament to the industry’s resilience. Since our first collaboration in 2020, Bengaluru has proven to be the ideal home for this format. While India already dominates the diamond market, our next leap must be into the high-end luxury space, leveraging our rich tapestry of heritage, from Southern Temple styles to Northern Polki. As the industry navigates global volatility, we must focus on design-led value addition and building homegrown luxury labels. The Government of Karnataka offers its full support to GJEPC in making Bengaluru the heart of this international trade.”
Industry Outlook
Mr. Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC said, “The scale and diversity of participation at IIJS Bharat Tritiya 2026 clearly reflect the strength of our industry. With over 1,100 exhibitors and a growing number of new entrants, the show highlights how the industry continues to evolve. In response to rising gold prices and changing consumer preferences, businesses are innovating rapidly and this transformation is visible across the exhibition floor.”
Strategic MoU for Regional Growth
In a significant move to bolster the regional ecosystem, the event witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GJEPC and The Jewellers’ Association Bengaluru (JAB). This MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening and promoting the jewellery trade in Karnataka, while enhancing industry participation and creating greater opportunities through the IIJS Bharat Tritiya platform. This is set to drive localized growth while integrating Karnataka’s retailers more deeply into the global supply chain.
Celebration of Craftsmanship
The exhibition also features a Crafts Pavilion showcasing India’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged jewellery traditions, including Banaras Meenakari, Cuttack Tarakasi filigree, Thewa jewellery of Rajasthan, and Hupari silver craft, celebrating the country’s rich heritage of craftsmanship.
Luxury Segment and Knowledge Platform
The exhibition also features “The Select Club,” a curated luxury segment showcasing high-end couture jewellery, alongside the Innov8 Talks at the Launch Pad. This dedicated space hosts thought leadership seminars, panel discussions, and exclusive product launches, offering valuable insights into emerging trends and the role of innovation in the gem and jewellery industry.
Networking and Awards
Adding to the overall experience, the Networking Night on 21st March 2026 at BIEC brings together exhibitors and visitors for an evening of industry celebration, featuring the IIJS Icon Awards to honour outstanding contributions to the trade. Additionally, the Hidden Star Awards felicitated the purchase and merchandising teams of select prominent retailers, recognizing the vital talent behind the scenes of the retail sector.
Global Participation and Impact
With over 15,000 retailers expected from 500 cities across India and visitors from 40 countries, IIJS Bharat – Tritiya 2026 is set to provide a robust platform for networking, business opportunities, and knowledge exchange, ensuring the Indian gem and jewellery industry continues to shine on the global stage.
About GJEPC
About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10700+ members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.
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