Physical gold remains a preferred investment for Indian households, with coins, bars and jewelry dominating demand. Investors are advised to buy BIS-hallmarked 24-karat or 22-karat pieces from authorized dealers to ensure purity. Coins and bars offer higher resale liquidity and lower making charges than jewelry. With the government mandating hallmark-unique identification (HUID) codes, buyers can verify authenticity online. Experts suggest limiting gold allocation to 5–10 % of total portfolio, balancing emotional and financial value across physical and digital holdings for diversification.