New Delhi, May 30 -- India's gold import bill has climbed to a record Rs.6.77 lakh crore, and that number says far more than "Indians love gold." It points to a larger economic story, one that falls at the intersection of tradition, global prices, household wealth, and changing buying behaviour.

Gold has always occupied a special place in Indian life. It is gifted at weddings, passed down through generations, and held as a form of emotional as well as financial security. But what makes the current moment different is that gold is no longer just a cultural asset; it is also a major import dependency for the nation.

Recent research indicates that India's gold imports rose sharply in FY26, touching roughly $72.4 billion, up from about $57....