Gold prices in India rose ₹82 per gram across the 24 karat category on May 19, 2026, even as international spot gold eased slightly on Trump’s announcement that the US had paused a planned military strike on Iran — reflecting the dual pressure of a marginally stronger dollar against gold and the continued geopolitical premium that has pushed MCX gold to record levels through the West Asia crisis. The domestic price movement also reflects the rupee’s weakness near record lows, which amplifies the rupee-denominated gold price even when dollar-denominated international prices consolidate.
National gold rates on May 19, 2026
24 karat gold — the purest commercially available form at 99.9% purity — is priced at ₹15,704 per gram today, up ₹82 from yesterday’s ₹15,622. On a 10-gram basis, 24K gold stands at ₹1,57,040, up ₹820. On a 100-gram basis the price is ₹15,70,400, up ₹8,200.
22 karat gold — 91.6% purity, the standard for most jewellery in India — is priced at ₹14,395 per gram, up ₹75 from ₹14,320 yesterday. On a 10-gram basis, 22K gold is ₹1,43,950, up ₹750.
18 karat gold — 75% purity, widely used in studded and designer jewellery — stands at ₹11,778 per gram, up ₹61 from ₹11,717. On a 10-gram basis, 18K gold is ₹1,17,780, up ₹610.
All rates are indicative and exclude GST, TCS, and other applicable levies. Contact your local jeweller for exact transaction prices.
City-wise gold rates on May 19, 2026
Chennai remains the most expensive gold market among major Indian cities, with 24K at ₹16,222 per gram, 22K at ₹14,870, and 18K at ₹12,410 — significantly above the national baseline due to Tamil Nadu’s higher local levies and jewellery market conventions.
Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kerala, and Pune are all aligned at the national baseline: 24K at ₹15,704, 22K at ₹14,395, and 18K at ₹11,778 per gram.
Delhi is marginally above baseline at 24K ₹15,719, 22K ₹14,410, and 18K ₹11,793 per gram — reflecting the capital’s slightly different state levy structure.
Vadodara and Ahmedabad both price at 24K ₹15,709, 22K ₹14,400, and 18K ₹11,783 per gram — a small premium above the Mumbai/Bengaluru baseline consistent with Gujarat’s market conventions.
Why gold is moving
The May 19 gold price gain of ₹82 per gram comes against a backdrop of two simultaneous forces. On the international side, Trump’s announcement that he had called off a planned Iran strike following appeals from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE pushed spot gold up 0.4% to approximately $4,585 per ounce — as easing immediate conflict risk reduced some of the most acute inflation premium in gold while geopolitical uncertainty continued to provide underlying support. On the domestic side, the rupee near record lows of 96 against the dollar is amplifying every dollar movement in gold into a larger rupee-denominated price increase, acting as a structural tailwind for MCX and jewellery market gold prices independent of international movement.
India raised gold import duty to 15% from 6% on May 13, reversing the cut introduced in Union Budget 2024-25. The higher duty has structurally elevated domestic gold prices above international import parity, making India’s gold market more expensive than simple dollar-to-rupee conversion of international prices would suggest.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making investment decisions.