Table of Contents
- Basic Information about Soverign gold Bond
- Eligibility criteria :who can invest in sovereign gold bond(SGB)?
- What is the Rate of Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) ?
- Minimum and maximum investment limit to Invest In SGB:
- How to Invest In the Sovereign Gold Bond?
- Time period:
- Interest Rate on Sovereign gold Bond(SGB):
- Joint holding in Sovereign gold Bond:
- Minor investor :
- Taxation of Sovereign gold bond:
- Comparing Sovereign gold bond with Physical gold & Gold ETFs
- FAQs
We Indians love gold so much that India is one of the largest Importers of physical gold and import 800-900 tonnes of gold every year. That results in a trade deficit for India. To remove this situation government of the India came with the wonderful scheme of Sovereign gold bond (SGB) for its Resident citizens.
Our elders used to advise us to invest in gold because it’s safe and also gold proved it by thousands of years. IMF, Different Countries manage gold reserves . So there is no doubt on importance of the gold in one’s investment portfolio .
However There are many ways to Invest in gold like Physical gold in form of Bars and coins, Jwellery , Gold ETF and Sovereign Gold Bond . Out of all the above different options Sovereign gold bond is the most efficient way to invest in gold & we will discuss it now
Basic Information about Soverign gold Bond
Soverign gold bond is issued by Government of India , However for its proper functioning like Issue, redemption etc.. Govt appointed RBI . So Soverign gold bond is safer than anymode because government of India is the issuer for it.
Eligibility criteria :who can invest in sovereign gold bond(SGB)?
- Individual,
- HUF
- Trust
- Charitable Institute & Education Universities
which are resident in India under FEMA 1999 are eligible to Invest In Soverign gold Bond.
What is the Rate of Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) ?
The rate of issue of Sovereign gold bond is the average of the last 3 preceding days of the opening of the issue of Bond so during the sovereign gold bond application period of 5 days rates are unchanged.So even though during the period of issue rates may be change of gold in physical market but Investment in soverign gold bond will be at the rate specified by the RBI . Also , RBI will annouce this rate 2 days before the opeing of the issue .The same concepts are applicable to the redemption of SGB
Minimum and maximum investment limit to Invest In SGB:
- Individual and Huf -Minimum 1gm and maximum for 4 kg
- trust and charitable institute- Minimum 1gm and Maximum 20kg per financial year.
This limit is calculated based on the PAN number of the Investor , So If you subscribe Sovereign Gold Bond through different brokers or channel still you can maximum invest upto specified limits only.
How to Invest In the Sovereign Gold Bond?
Investor can be invest using online or offline mode. Investor can use online Demat of their existing share broker or can use physical mode like post office , designated Banks .
If investor use online mode and make payment online then s/he will get discount of Rs 50 per gram on issue price
Time period:
There is a lock-in period of 5 years when you invest in the sovereign gold bond so you can not redeem it until the period expired but you can take loans on it and RBI has given clear instruction that loan to value ratio of Sovereign gold bond will be the same as physical gold so investment in sovereign gold bond gives you the same advantage of physical gold, However, sovereign gold bond will auto redeem by the government after 8 years of Initial purcahse
Interest Rate on Sovereign gold Bond(SGB):
Apart from the capital gain in an increase in the price of gold investment in sovereign gold bond give you an added advantage that is 2.5% interest on Invested capital so Sovereign gold bond gives you more benefits than traditional gold investments.
Joint holding in Sovereign gold Bond:
In the case of Joint holding Investment, the limit of sovereign gold bond wholly apply to the First holder when they make an investment so the limit will not apply proportionately
e.g suppose there is couple A and B , & they applied jointly for the SGB for 4kg and Mr A was first holder in that application then for rest of the year Mr A can not invest in its own name , However Mrs B still has own 4kg limit without any dilustion.
Minor investor :
If you want to purchase an investment in the name of a minor then you can do so but the guardian is compulsory in the case of Minor also the KYC of the Minor should be done before the investment in the Sovereign gold bond
Taxation of Sovereign gold bond:
If you transfer a sovereign gold bond before the maturity then it’s liable to LTCG with Benefits of Indexation However, if your bonds are redeemed at maturity then there is no capital gains will apply so all the proceed is tax-free Interest on SGB is liable to the normal tax rate
Comparing Sovereign gold bond with Physical gold & Gold ETFs
| Particulars | Sovereign Gold Bonds | Physical Gold | Gold ETF |
| Returns | More than actual gold return | Less than actual gold return | Lower than actual return on the gold |
| Government guarantee | Yes | No available | No |
| Interest Income | Yes | No | No, since no dividend on Gold ETF |
| AMC charges | No | No | Yes |
| Lock In period | 5 years | No | No |
| Liquidity | limited | Highly liquid | Highly liquid |
| Tradability | After 5th year on exchange | Conditional | Anytime on exchange |
| Purity | Highest | Purity is questionable | Highest |
| storage charges | No | Yes | No |
| collateral against loan | Yes | Yes | No |
| Quality check require | No | Yes | No |