Sovereign Gold Bond, abbreviated as SGB, is a government security issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India. It is denominated in grams of gold and is linked to the price of gold in India. It is also an interest-bearing bonds, carrying an interest of 2.5% p.a. paid in two installments in a year.
The bond has an 8-year term with an option for early withdrawal through the RBI after 5 years. It is listed and traded on Indian stock exchanges, allowing eligible investors to buy or sell anytime through their dematerialization accounts. It can also be transferred to another eligible investor without redemption through the RBI.
History
The scheme was introduced due to a forex crisis caused by high gold imports. It was first notified by the Department of Economic Affairs on 14 January 2016 under the Government Securities Act, 2006. The initial subscription required a minimum of 2 grams and a maximum of 500 grams. It was open from January 18 to January 22, 2016. The bonds initially paid 2.75% interest per year, later reduced to 2.5% per year. The bonds were sold through banks, post offices and through online securities brokers which would allow investors to hold the bonds in demat form.
In August 2024, the investors who would have redeemed the bonds issued in August 2016 lost suffered a loss due a fall in the price of gold. This fall was linked to the slash in import duty on gold from 15% to 6% during the 2024 Union budget of India.
After the final redemption of the 2016-I series, it was rumoured that the scheme was turning out to be very expensive for the Indian government, due to an unexpected rise in the prices of gold. The government also felt SGBs have also not served the purpose for which it was launched, which was to bring down gold imports by trying to move demand from physical gold to an electronic form. In addition, the RBI has not issued any new series after February 2024. The government also made physical gold purchases more attractive, by lowering the import duty from 15% to 6%.
Eligibility
People residing in India, as defined in he Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 are eligible to invest in SGBs. These include individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), universities, trusts, and charitable institutions. People who become non-residents after buying an SGB can still hold it until maturity or premature redemption.
The bonds are issued in 1-gram denominations and multiples thereof. Each eligible investor can purchase up to 4 kg per financial year. A demat account is optional; bonds can be held in dematerialized form with a securities depository or tracked by the RBI.
Price
The issue price is the average closing price of 999 purity gold from the last 3 business days before the subscription period, as published by the India Bullion and Jewelers Association Limited (IBJA). The redemption price, for both early and maturity redemptions, is the average closing price from the 3 business days before repayment.
Comparison with other forms of gold investments
SGBs, purely as an investment format, can be compared to other forms of investing in Gold.
| SGB | Physical gold | Gold ETF and mutual funds | Digital gold | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | Stored in government facilities. Very low risk of theft. | Risk of theft | Stored in vaults. Low risk of theft | Stored in vaults. Low risk of theft |
| Regulated by | RBI, and by extension, Government of India | Not regulated | SEBI, and by extension, Government of India | Not regulated |
| Charges | No making charges, GST, or expense ratio | Making charges from 8% to 35%. GST of 3%. No expense ratio. | No making charges or GST. Expense ratio up to 1% is allowed. | No making charges. GST of 3% and commissions are applicable. No expense ratio. |
| Interest | Fixed at 2.5% per annum | No interest payments | No interest payments | No interest payments |
| Taxation | No tax on capital gains. Interest is taxed at slab. | Tax on capital gains | Tax on capital gains | Tax on capital gains |
| Liqudity | Can be sold on stock exchanges if held in demat form. Can be sold back to the RBI at specified intervals. | Can be sold physically to jewelers | Units can be sold back to the asset management company | Can be liquidated instantly |
Issue history
| S No | Tranche | ISIN | Issue Date | Issue price/unit (₹) | Units subscribed (grams) | Redemption price/unit (₹) | CAGR Returns (Absolute) (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2015-I | IN0020150085 | November 30, 2015 | 2684 | 913571 | 6132 | 10.87 (128.46) |
| 2 | 2016-I | IN0020150101 | February 8, 2016 | 2600 | 2869973 | 6271 | 11.63 (141.19) |
| 3 | 2016-II | IN0020150119 | March 29, 2016 | 2916 | 1119741 | 6601 | 10.75 (126.37) |
| 4 | 2016-17 Series I | IN0020160027 | August 5, 2016 | 3119 | 2953025 | 6938 | 10.50 (122.44) |
| 5 | 2016-17 Series II | IN0020160043 | September 30, 2016 | 3150 | 2615800 | 7517 | 10.80 (127.21) |
| 6 | 2016-17 Series III | IN0020160076 | November 17, 2016 | 3007 | 3598055 | 7788 | 12.63 (160) |
| 7 | 2016-17 Series IV | IN0020160126 | March 17, 2017 | 2943 | 2220885 | ||
| 8 | 2017-18 Series I | IN0020170018 | May 12, 2017 | 2951 | 2027695 | ||
| 9 | 2017-18 Series II | IN0020170034 | July 28, 2017 | 2830 | 2349953 | ||
| 10 | 2017-18 Series III | IN0020170059 | October 16, 2017 | 2956 | 264815 | ||
| 11 | 2017-18 Series IV | IN0020170067 | October 23, 2017 | 2987 | 378945 | ||
| 12 | 2017-18 Series V | IN0020170075 | October 30, 2017 | 2971 | 174024 | ||
| 13 | 2017-18 Series VI | IN0020170083 | November 6, 2017 | 2945 | 153356 | ||
| 14 | 2017-18 Series VII | IN0020170091 | November 13, 2017 | 2934 | 175121 | ||
| 15 | 2017-18 Series VIII | IN0020170109 | November 20, 2017 | 2961 | 135666 | ||
| 16 | 2017-18 Series IX | IN0020170117 | November 27, 2017 | 2964 | 105512 | ||
| 17 | 2017-18 Series X | IN0020170125 | December 4, 2017 | 2961 | 107380 | ||
| 18 | 2017-18 Series XI | IN0020170133 | December 11, 2017 | 2952 | 81614 | ||
| 19 | 2017-18 Series XII | IN0020170141 | December 18, 2017 | 2890 | 111218 | ||
| 20 | 2017-18 Series XIII | IN0020170158 | December 26, 2017 | 2866 | 131958 | ||
| 21 | 2017-18 Series XIV | IN0020170166 | January 1, 2018 | 2881 | 327434 | ||
| 22 | 2018-19 Series I | IN0020180033 | May 4, 2018 | 3114 | 650337 | ||
| 23 | 2018-19 Series II | IN0020180249 | October 23, 2018 | 3146 | 312258 | ||
| 24 | 2018-19 Series III | IN0020180314 | November 13, 2018 | 3183 | 409398 | ||
| 25 | 2018-19 Series IV | IN0020180389 | January 1, 2019 | 3119 | 207886 | ||
| 26 | 2018-19 Series V | IN0020180462 | January 22, 2019 | 3214 | 243606 | ||
| 27 | 2018-19 Series VI | IN0020180561 | February 12, 2019 | 3326 | 207388 | ||
| 28 | 2019-20 Series I | IN0020190073 | June 11, 2019 | 3196 | 459789 | ||
| 29 | 2019-20 Series II | IN0020190081 | July 16, 2019 | 3443 | 535947 | ||
| 30 | 2019-20 Series III | IN0020190107 | August 14, 2019 | 3499 | 1024837 | ||
| 31 | 2019-20 Series IV | IN0020190115 | September 17, 2019 | 3890 | 627892 | ||
| 32 | 2019-20 Series V | IN0020190370 | October 15, 2019 | 3788 | 455776 | ||
| 33 | 2019-20 Series VI | IN0020190388 | October 30, 2019 | 3835 | 693210 | ||
| 34 | 2019-20 Series VII | IN0020190461 | December 10, 2019 | 3795 | 648304 | ||
| 35 | 2019-20 Series VIII | IN0020190537 | January 21, 2020 | 4016 | 522119 | ||
| 36 | 2019-20 Series IX | IN0020190545 | February 11, 2020 | 4070 | 405957 | ||
| 37 | 2019-20 Series X | IN0020190552 | March 11, 2020 | 4260 | 757338 | ||
| 38 | 2020-21, Series I | IN0020200062 | April 28, 2020 | 4639 | 1772874 | ||
| 39 | 2020-21, Series II | IN0020200088 | May 19, 2020 | 4590 | 2544294 | ||
| 40 | 2020-21, Series III | IN0020200104 | June 16, 2020 | 4677 | 2388328 | ||
| 41 | 2020-21, Series IV | IN0020200146 | July 14, 2020 | 4852 | 4130820 | ||
| 42 | 2020-21, Series V | IN0020200161 | August 11, 2020 | 5334 | 6349781 | ||
| 43 | 2020-21, Series VI | IN0020200195 | September 8, 2020 | 5117 | 3190133 | ||
| 44 | 2020-21, Series VII | IN0020200203 | October 20, 2020 | 5051 | 1859518 | ||
| 45 | 2020-21, Series VIII | IN0020200286 | November 18, 2020 | 5177 | 1573457 | ||
| 46 | 2020-21, Series IX | IN0020200377 | January 5, 2021 | 5000 | 2869886 | ||
| 47 | 2020-21, Series X | IN0020200385 | January 19, 2021 | 5104 | 1214048 | ||
| 48 | 2020-21, Series XI | IN0020200393 | February 9, 2021 | 4912 | 1227915 | ||
| 49 | 2020-21, Series XII | IN0020200427 | March 9, 2021 | 4662 | 3230907 | ||
| 50 | 2021-22, Series I | IN0020210053 | May 25, 2021 | 4777 | 5318973 | ||
| 51 | 2021-22, Series II | IN0020210061 | June 1, 2021 | 4842 | 1898475 | ||
| 52 | 2021-22, Series III | IN0020210087 | June 8, 2021 | 4889 | 1479232 | ||
| 53 | 2021-22, Series IV | IN0020210111 | July 20, 2021 | 4807 | 2923762 | ||
| 54 | 2021-22, Series V | IN0020210129 | August 17, 2021 | 4790 | 2292743 | ||
| 55 | 2021-22, Series VI | IN0020210145 | September 7, 2021 | 4732 | 3520341 | ||
| 56 | 2021-22, Series VII | IN0020210178 | November 2, 2021 | 4761 | 3248238 | ||
| 57 | 2021-22, Series VIII | IN0020210228 | December 7, 2021 | 4791 | 2480493 | ||
| 58 | 2021-22, Series IX | IN0020210236 | January 18, 2022 | 4786 | 2333188 | ||
| 59 | 2021-22, Series X | IN0020210319 | March 8, 2022 | 5109 | 1539694 | ||
| 60 | 2022-23, Series I | IN0020220045 | June 28, 2022 | 5091 | 2557864 | ||
| 61 | 2022-23, Series II | IN0020220078 | August 30, 2022 | 5197 | 3360408 | ||
| 62 | 2022-23, Series III | IN0020220110 | December 27, 2022 | 5409 | 2811010 | ||
| 63 | 2022-23, Series IV | IN0020220169 | March 14, 2023 | 5611 | 3531586 | ||
| 64 | 2023-24, Series I | IN0020230069 | June 27, 2023 | 5926 | 7769290 | ||
| 65 | 2023-24, Series II | IN0020230093 | September 20, 2023 | 5923 | 11673960 | ||
| 66 | 2023-24, Series III | IN0020230168 | December 28, 2023 | 6199 | 12106807 | ||
| 67 | 2023-24, Series IV | IN0020230184 | February 21, 2024 | 6263 | 12785729 | ||
| TOTAL | 146961537 |
Note: CAGR calculations do not include interest payments and are post-tax, since capital gains tax arising on redemption of SGB to an individual has been exempted.
References
- Rukhaiyar, Ashish (17 May 2020). "Sovereign Gold Bonds, a substitute for physical gold". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ "What is Sovereign Gold Bonds Interest Rate & How Its Paid?". ICICI Direct. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme". Reserve Bank of India. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024. || source-date=2019-02-04
- Sabnavis, Madan (20 November 2023). "India wants gold, not gold bonds". Business Line. Archived from the original on 1 December 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
Sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) were introduced in the country in FY16 against the backdrop of a forex crisis, which was fuelled partly by high gold imports.
- "Notification" (PDF). The Gazette of India. New Delhi. 14 January 2015. pp. 39–40. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- "Sale of Sovereign Gold Bond through post offices in Tiruchi Division". The Hindu. 11 February 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- Nallamuthu, Akhil (20 December 2023). "Sovereign Gold Bond FY24 Series III opens till December 22: Should you invest?". Business Line. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- Jain Kaushal, Teena (24 July 2024). "Budget 2024: Sharp dip in gold prices leaves Sovereign Gold Bond investors high and dry". Business Today (India). Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- Iyengar, Suresh P. (15 August 2024). "SGBs turn costly affair for govt, fail to curb imports". Business Line. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
The fund-raise through sovereign gold bonds (SGB) has turned out to be a costly proposition for the government as the gold prices have more than doubled compared to the issue price.
- "Why are SGBs giving the government second thoughts?". Finshots. 21 August 2024. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
The SGB scheme may have turned into a bigger challenge than the government originally planned. And if gold prices keep climbing, we won't be surprised if we just see the end of Sovereign Gold Bonds altogether.
- Sinha, Shishir (17 November 2024). "Sovereign gold bonds losing favour with government". The Hindu Business Line. Archived from the original on 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
The fate of SGB seems to have been sealed when the government lowered import duty on gold to 6 per cent from 15 per cent, making physical gold purchases more attractive than investments in SGBs.
- Kulkarni, Sneha (15 February 2024). "New Sovereign Gold Bond tranche: Is SGB Series IV 2023-24 issue price highest ever offered?". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- "What are Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)?". Zerodha Support. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- Kriplani, Jash (9 November 2021). "Explained: All about how gold ETFs give investors the purest yellow metal". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
Fund houses appoint custodians to handle the physical gold who, in turn, appoint a vaulting agency to store the gold in vaults.
- Das, Vipul (22 April 2023). "Digital Gold in Emerging Markets: What are the opportunities and challenges for investors?". Live Mint. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
Your investment in digital gold is securely held in a monitored vault under the control of reputable trustees.
- ^ "Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGB)". Union Bank of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- Das, Basundha (11 February 2024). "Sovereign Gold Bond Series IV FY24: How are SGBs taxed? Details here". Business Today (India). Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
The interest earned from Sovereign Gold Bonds is subject to taxation as per the regulations of the IT Act, 1961. However, when an individual redeems the SGB, they are exempted from paying capital gains tax. Additionally, investors enjoy indexation benefits on long-term capital gains, whether they choose to transfer the bond to another person or not.
- "Data of Sovereign Gold Bonds (Tranche wise) issued till April 23, 2024". Reserve Bank of India. 23 April 2024. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- Ray, Abeer (30 November 2023). "SGB 2015-I series set for redemption on November 30 with 128% profit on investment; all you need to know". Live Mint. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
Redemption Value: ₹6,132 per gram
- Sharma, Shweta (24 November 2023). "Final redemption under Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme - Price for final redemption of SGB 2015-I due on November 30, 2023 - RBI". Reserve Bank of India. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
Accordingly, the price for the final redemption due on November 30, 2023 shall be ₹6132/- (Rupees Six thousand one hundred thirty-two only) per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing price of gold for the week November 20-24, 2023.
- Kaul, Abhinav (9 February 2024). "Sovereign Gold Bond 2016-I matures; gives 13.6% return and outperforms gold funds". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
According to a recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notification, the price for the final redemption was Rs 6,271 per unit of SGB, which is based on the simple average closing price of gold for the week of January 29-February 2, 2024.
- Prasad, Ajit (2 February 2024). "Final redemption under Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme - Redemption Price for final redemption of SGB 2016-I due on February 08, 2024 - RBI". Reserve Bank of India. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
Accordingly, the redemption price for the final redemption due on February 08, 2024 shall be ₹6271/- (Rupees Six thousand two hundred and seventy-one only) per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing price of gold for the week January 29-February 02, 2024.
- Kulkarni, Sneha (27 March 2024). "Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB): Final redemption price of SGB 2016 Series II announced". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
The final redemption amount, which is due on March 28, 2024, is Rs 6601 for each SGB unit.
- Prasad, Ajit (22 March 2024). "Final redemption under Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme - Redemption Price for final redemption of SGB 2016 Series II due on March 28, 2024 (March 29, 2024 being a holiday) - RBI". Reserve Bank of India. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
Accordingly, the redemption price for the final redemption due on March 28, 2024 (March 29, 2024 being a holiday) shall be ₹6601/- (Rupees Six thousand Six hundred and One only) per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing price of gold for the week March 18-22, 2024.
- Das, Neelanjit (5 August 2024). "Sovereign Gold Bond 2016-17 Series I final redemption today: Investors to gain 122%; check SGB redemption price". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
As per the RBI press release, the final redemption price of this SGB series has been set at Rs 6,938 per unit of SGB.
- Prasad, Ajit (2 August 2024). "Final redemption under Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme - Redemption Price for final redemption of SGB 2016-17 Series I due on August 5, 2024". Reserve Bank of India. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
Accordingly, the redemption price for the final redemption due on August 05, 2024 shall be ₹6938/- (Rupees Six thousand nine hundred and thirty eight only) per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing price of gold for the week July 29 - August 02, 2024.
- Kulkarni, Sneha (28 August 2024). "Sovereign Gold Bonds redemption: This SGB series is up for final redemption in September; check details". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
The redemption price for the final redemption due on September 30, 2024 shall be Rs 7,517 per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing price of gold for the week September 23 – September 27, 2024.
- Prasad, Ajit (27 September 2024). "Final redemption under Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme - Redemption Price for final redemption of SGB 2016-17 Series II due on September 30, 2024". Reserve Bank of India. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
Accordingly, the redemption price for the final redemption due on September 30, 2024 shall be ₹7,517/- (Rupees Seven thousand five hundred and seventeen only) per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing price of gold for the week September 23 – September 27, 2024.
- Kulkarni, Sneha (13 November 2024). "Sovereign Gold Bond: Final redemption price of SGB 2016-17 Series III announced; check details". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on 11 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
As per an RBI notification dated November 8, 2024, the redemption price for the final SGB redemption due on November 16, is Rs 7,788 per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing gold price for the week November 04-08, 2024.
- Prasad, Ajit (8 November 2024). "Final redemption under Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme - Redemption Price for final redemption of SGB 2016-17 Series III due on November 16, 2024 (November 17, 2024 being a holiday)". Reserve Bank of India. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
Accordingly, the redemption price for the final redemption due on November 16, 2024 (November 17, 2024 being a holiday) shall be ₹ 7,788/- (Rupees Seven thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight only) per unit of SGB based on the simple average of closing gold price for the week November 04-08, 2024.
External links
- Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme FAQs - Reserve Bank of India
- Sovereign Gold Bonds Notifications - Reserve Bank of India
Further reading
- Saranya, S; Antony, Nittymol (16 July 2024). "Influence of Social Media on Investment Decisions of Women with Special Focus on Sovereign Gold Bonds". Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Customer Social Responsibility (CSR). Springer. pp. 603–612. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-50939-1_46. ISBN 978-3-031-50939-1.
- S. Yadav, Anitha; Shetty, Chetan (16 April 2018). "Gold Monetization Scheme: Issues and Challenges". FIIB Business Review. 5 (4): 8–15. doi:10.1177/2455265820160402.