MUMBAI - India has curbed imports of silver in nearly all forms with immediate effect, according to a government order issued on May 16, as the world's biggest consumer of the metal seeks to rein in shipments and ease pressure on the rupee.

The restriction is expected to reduce silver imports and tighten domestic supplies, potentially lifting premiums in the local market.

Lower demand from India, which meets more than 80% of its consumption through imports, could weigh on global prices, Reuters reported.

India has placed imports of silver bars with 99.9% purity and all other semi-manufactured forms of silver under the restricted category with immediate effect, the order said.

The two categories accounted for more than 90% of the country's silver imports in the last fiscal year.

"This move will reduce imports and tighten supplies in the local market," said leading silver importer Amrapali Group Gujarat CE Chirag Thakkar.

"Silver had been trading at a discount after the government raised import duties, but it is likely to start trading at a premium in the coming weeks."

The South Asian country earlier this week raised import tariffs on gold and silver to 15% from 6% as part of efforts to reduce overseas purchases of the metals and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves caused by higher oil prices.

India spent a record $12-billion on silver imports in the 2025/26 financial year ended March, compared with $4.8-billion a year earlier. In April, silver imports jumped 157% from a year earlier to $411-million, trade ministry data showed.

Silver is used in India for jewellery, coins, bars and industrial applications ranging from solar energy to electronics.

Over the past year, demand has been driven more by investment buying than traditional jewellery and silverware consumption, with inflows into silver exchange-traded funds climbing to a record high.

India imports silver mainly from the United Arab Emirates, Britain and China.

"It appears the government will allow limited silver imports for industrial use while discouraging imports for investment products in the short term," said a Mumbai-based bullion dealer with a private bank.