QUICK TAKE | Dhanteras 2026: Seven Things to Know about ₹1 Lakh Crore Sales Forecast

1. Where does the ₹1 lakh crore figure come from?

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) expects Dhanteras shopping on November 6 to generate more than ₹1 lakh crore in business across India. It is a trade body’s forecast for the day. The jewellers’ federation said it would assess sales across markets and release a fuller picture by evening.

2. How much of that could come from gold and silver?

CAIT expects the two metals to generate more than ₹60,000 crore in sales. Put the two headline figures side by side and gold and silver account for roughly three-fifths of the projected spend. The eventual share will depend on how those sales and the rest of the day’s trade turn out.

3. What are jewellery buyers choosing?

The All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation says jewellers are seeing demand for lightweight pieces in 14-carat and 18-carat gold. Weight and purity give shoppers two ways to adjust the bill. A lighter piece uses less metal, while a lower-carat piece contains less pure gold at the same weight.

4. What was gold trading at on Dhanteras morning?

All India Bullion’s Mumbai reference rate put 24-carat gold at ₹1,45,700 per 10 grams at 10:12 am IST. Around the same morning, December gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange were quoted at ₹1,42,192. Those quotes measure different things, and a jewellery bill can also include making charges and tax.

5. What is selling in silver?

Jewellers reported interest in coins, decorative pieces and auspicious figurines shaped like fish, tortoises and elephants. These give shoppers ways to make a traditional purchase without buying a larger piece of jewellery.

6. Could rupee sales rise even if shoppers buy less gold?

Yes. Higher prices can lift the value of sales even when buyers take home fewer grams. CAIT’s forecast measures spending in rupees. Sales by weight would show how much metal shoppers actually bought.

7. How does this fit into the wider Diwali shopping season?

CAIT had already forecast more than ₹7 lakh crore in festive trade from Navratri to Diwali, including goods and services. The ₹1 lakh crore estimate is for Dhanteras alone.