What were Sovereign Gold Bonds, and Why the Government Discontinued Them

During the FY26 budget announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was asked if the absence of recent issuances signaled the end of sovereign gold bonds. Her response was cryptic yet telling—”In a way.”

To understand why the government discontinued SGBs, let’s revisit their origins, purpose, and challenges.

In 2015, the government introduced a scheme to monitor physical gold transactions and ensure that gold remained accessible to investors. The scheme aimed to reduce India’s heavy reliance on gold imports and improve our Current Account Deficit (CAD).

The first tranche of SGBs raised ₹245 crore, issued at ₹2,684 per gram. When investors redeemed these bonds, gold prices had surged to ₹6,132 per gram—a staggering 120% increase. Adding the fixed interest rate of 2.5% per annum to the returns, the total payout to investors was approximately ₹610 crore, marking a 148% rise from the initial investment.

For context, traditional bonds with a 7% annual interest rate would have cost the government around ₹400 crore for the same amount, assuming gold prices remained stable.

The government issued the last tranche of SGBs in February 2024, priced at ₹6,263 per gram. After that, it paused further issuances, signaling a shift in its approach to gold investments.

But what exactly were sovereign gold bonds, and why did they hold such appeal for investors? Let’s dive deeper.

What was a Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)? 

SGBs were government-issued securities that mirrored the value of gold in the market. They reduced your reliance on physical gold and promoted financial inclusion. These investments allowed you exposure to gold prices without the hassles of storage and security, and that’s why most investors considered them credible and stable.

How the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme Worked 

SGBs allowed investors to buy bonds linked to the market price of gold. Each bond was issued in grams of gold with a fixed interest rate of 2.5% per annum, paid out semi-annually.

When you invested in SGBs, you bought digital gold, which was not subject to the risks of theft or storage yet tied to the gold market’s performance. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• You began by purchasing SGBs, which were available during specific issuance periods. Each bond’s price was linked to the current market rate of gold. 
• Once you had invested, you received interest payments at a fixed rate, calculated on the initial investment amount, made semi-annually. If gold’s price rose, so did the redemption value of your bond. 
• At the end of the bond’s tenure, you could redeem it for its existing market value. 

For instance, say you invested ₹50,000 in SGBs when gold was priced at ₹5,000 per gram, giving you 10 grams of gold. Over the next 8 years, if gold appreciated at 8% annually, the value of 10 grams would be ~₹1,00,000.

In addition, you would earn 2.5% annual interest, paid semi-annually. Over 8 years, this interest would amount to ₹20,000.

So, by maturity, your investment would be worth ₹1,20,000 (₹1,00,000 from gold appreciation and ₹20,000 in interest).

Sovereign Gold Bond Maturity Period 

SGBs had an eight-year tenure, at the end of which you would receive the equivalent market value of gold, free from long-term capital gains tax. 

Additionally, on interest payment dates, you could redeem SGBs early after the fifth year based on the average closing gold price of the preceding three days.

Sovereign Gold Bond Interest Rates and Returns 

Unlike gold prices that move with the market, SGBs offered a fixed 2.5% annual interest credited semi-annually. Unlike physical gold and gold ETFs, SGBs provided you with gold price-linked capital appreciation and income from interest, maximizing your overall returns.

Sovereign Gold Bond Maximum Limit 

You could purchase a maximum of 4 kilograms of gold per fiscal year, while trusts and other entities could buy up to 20 kilograms. This cap ensured that everyone had access to the bonds.

Benefits of Sovereign Gold Bonds 

Here are some advantages you as an investor could have benefited from:

• No Concern for Storage or Security: SGBs were safe from theft as they came in a digital or certificate form, and the ownership records were secured in RBI’s database.
• Fixed Annual Interest: The semi-annual payouts you received from SGBs were considered an added layer of assured returns.
• Tax Efficiency: Gains earned from redeeming your SGBs were exempt from long-term capital gains tax.
• Tradability: SGBs could easily be traded on stock exchanges, offering you liquidity.

Disadvantages of Sovereign Gold Bonds 

Along with the benefits mentioned above, SGBs carried some disadvantages for investors, such as:

• Limited Liquidity Before Maturity: Despite their tradability, the secondary market for SGBs lacked sufficient liquidity for investors.
• Investment Cap: The maximum purchase limit restricted larger investments.

How to Invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) 

You could have invested in SGBs through multiple channels, the most popular of which are listed below:

• Banks: Public and private sector banks (excluding small finance and payment banks) allowed investors to apply for SGBs. You could apply either online or offline, with a ₹50 per gram discount typically offered for online subscriptions, as per RBI guidelines.
• Post Offices: Assigned post offices offered subscriptions to SGBs and allowed a broader group of investors in rural and semi-urban areas access to these options.
• Stock Exchanges: The BSE and NSE offered SGBs for sale during issuance windows on their platforms. 
• Brokers and Agents: SEBI-registered brokers and financial agents offered another way to invest in SGBs. This was especially suitable for individuals already using brokerage services for other investments.
• Digital Platforms: New-age platforms provided investors with a fully online process to subscribe to SGBs. These platforms were linked to investors’ bank accounts or Demat accounts, making the entire process seamless and convenient.
• Secondary Market: Secondary markets were your chance to invest in SGBs if you missed them during the issuance period of NSE and BSE. Gold rates and market demand influenced prices in the secondary market, and a Demat account was required for such transactions.

Tax Benefits of Sovereign Gold Bonds 

Here is a detailed breakdown of the tax advantages SGBs provided:

• Exemption on Capital Gains at Maturity

If held until maturity, the capital gains from SGBs were completely exempt from long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax. This tax benefit was unique to SGBs, unlike physical gold or gold ETFs, allowing you to keep all the returns if gold prices rose over the bond’s eight-year tenure.

• Taxation on Premature Redemption

Any capital gains were taxed according to your income tax bracket if you redeemed your SGBs early (after the fifth year). While this option offered flexibility for liquidity, it didn’t provide the full tax benefit available at maturity.

• Taxable Interest Income

The semi-annual interest payments (2.5% per annum) on SGBs were taxable as part of your total income. Although taxed, this interest provided regular, predictable returns, adding to your investment income.

• Tax Treatment for Secondary Market Transactions

Capital gains would have been taxed if you sold SGBs before maturity in the secondary market. Short-term gains (holding period less than three years) are taxed at your income tax slab rate, while long-term gains (holding period more than three years) were taxed at 20% with indexation benefits, reducing your tax liability.

Comparing SGBs with Physical Gold & Gold ETFs 

Was SGB a Good Investment for You? 

Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) worked best for investors with a long-term perspective and a clear strategy for adding gold to their investment portfolios. Since the Government of India backed these bonds, they offered a rare mix of security, tax efficiency, and fixed-interest income. Investors looking for diversification without the hassles of storing physical gold could benefit significantly from SGBs.

If you wanted to preserve wealth and hedge against inflation, SGBs provided a stable option with a guaranteed 2.5% annual interest. If your goal was to reduce overall portfolio risk while maintaining a steady income stream, SGBs served as a valuable addition to your investment strategy.

Long-term investors planning for major financial goals—such as retirement or children’s education—also found SGBs attractive. Their eight-year tenure aligned well with long-term wealth-building plans, and the exemption from capital gains tax at maturity enhanced post-tax returns. This benefit could significantly boost your overall earnings if you fell into a higher tax bracket.

Closing Summary about SGBs India 

SGBs were reliable gold-based investment options for long-term wealth building. They are compelling alternatives to traditional gold as investments.

But now that they’ve been discontinued, what might the next steps be? Experts opine that the government might

• Issue targeted SGBs for specific groups
• Issue smaller SGBs for a broader reach to people
• Issue digital-only versions to reduce their operational costs
• Issue alternatives like gold mutual funds, ETFs, savings plans, etc.

But these are just speculations; let’s wait and see what happens next. Until then, investors will have to find other alternatives.