|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) are investment products introduced by the Government of India under the Gold Monetisation Scheme, 2015. They are issued by the Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the government.
Instead of buying physical gold, investors buy SGBs, whose value is linked to the price of gold. The bond value is measured in “grams of gold” and at maturity, you receive money based on the gold price at that time (not physical gold).
Recently, the government redeemed the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2019–20 Series VIII on January 21, 2026 at ₹14,432 per gram. These bonds were originally issued on January 21, 2020, at a price of ₹3,966 per gram. The value of the investment increased by ₹10,466 per gram and allowed investors to make an absolute return of about 264%.
So, are you also looking to invest? Read this article to first check out the popularity of the scheme and then see upcoming sovereign gold bond dates. Also, we will see how you can invest in the SGBs in 2026.
How Popular Are Sovereign Gold Bonds Among Investors?
When SGBs were issued regularly, they became a common way for investors to invest in gold and achieved strong popularity. As per media reports, in the FY 2023–24, investors bought SGBs worth ₹27,031 crore during the year. This was more than four times the amount invested in 2022–23.
If we look at the entire history of the scheme, SGBs were first introduced in November 2015. Since then, the government has raised a total of ₹72,274 crore through these bonds, which was collected across 67 different bond issues (called “tranches”). This amount is equal to 146.96 tonnes of gold.
Okay, But What Are The Reasons for Such Immense Popularity?
Note that SGBs offered “sovereign guarantee” and carried minimal default risk. Additionally, investors did not face the risks linked to holding physical gold. For example, there is no need to:
- Store gold
- Check its purity
- Pay for insurance
Investors only invested money, and the bond value moved in line with gold prices. This allowed them to benefit if gold prices increased, without owning gold in physical form.
Apart from price appreciation, some other benefits of this scheme are:
| Fixed Interest @ 2.5% | Tax Exemptions |
|---|---|
|
|
When is the Sovereign Gold Bond Next Issue Date?
The government stopped issuing new SGBs in early 2024. Till the time of writing this article (January 27, 2026), sovereign gold bond next issue date has not been released. The last issue was SGB 2023–24 Series IV in February 2024.
Since then, no new bonds have been offered. Existing SGB holders:
- Continue to earn interest
and
- Will receive redemption payments as per the original terms
So, what to do as a new investor? You now need to watch RBI or government announcements for any future changes to the scheme.
How Can You Still Invest in the SGBs in 2026?
Even though no new SGBs are being issued, investors can still invest in the scheme in 2026 through the secondary market. All existing SGB series are listed on both the:
- Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
and
- National Stock Exchange (NSE)
To invest, an investor needs a demat + trading account. Note that SGBs can be purchased in the “cash segment” of the stock exchange at prevailing market prices. This could be higher or lower than the original issue price.
In Summary, Sovereign Gold Bond Upcoming Issues are Not Confirmed and Remain Suspended Since February, 2024
So now you know that the sovereign gold bond next issue date has not yet been confirmed by the government. The last tranche was issued in February 2024, and since then no new bonds have been offered to the public by the RBI.
Need an alternative? You may consider Muthoottu Mini Bonds, available online via the GoldenPi platform. These bonds are issued by Muthoottu Mini Financiers Limited, an organisation operating for 60+ years in the gold loan business.
Recently, the credit rating of the company was upgraded to A/Stable. Moreover, it has a:
- Loan portfolio of ₹4,141.6 Cr with 948 branches across 12 states/UTs (Mar-25)
- Total income ₹815 Cr (FY25); along with PAT (Profit After Tax) of ₹94 Cr (FY25)
- Strong liquidity buffer of ₹234 Cr cash with ₹700 Cr average monthly collections (Mar-25)
Besides, you can also explore other bond collections on GoldenPi, which includes short-term bonds, state government guaranteed bonds, bonds to earn fixed monthly income, and more.
Sovereign Gold Bond Upcoming Issues FAQs
1. Why did the government stop issuing SGBs?
According to official reasoning, SGBs were issued to raise funds from the market and finance the Budget. But gradually, the government observed that SGBs turned into an expensive form of borrowing because of fixed interest payments + rising gold prices. As a result, the government decided not to continue supporting this asset class (gold) and chose alternative, lower-cost borrowing options.
2. How can you purchase SGBs in 2026?
In 2026, SGBs can only be purchased from the secondary market. Existing SGB series are listed on the BSE and NSE. Investors can buy the already issued SGBs (at prevailing market prices) using their demat and trading accounts.
3. Who decides the redemption value of SGBs?
The redemption value of SGBs is decided by the Government of India and calculated by the Reserve Bank of India. It is based on the “simple average closing price of gold” (999 purity) published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) for the preceding days.
4. Is the maturity amount of SGBs tax free?
Yes, if an individual investor holds an SGB until maturity + redeems it with the government, the capital gains are exempt from tax. However, interest earned on SGBs is taxable as per the investor’s income tax slab.
5. When was the last issue of SGB made?
The last Sovereign Gold Bond issue was SGB 2023–24 Series IV, released in February 2024. The government stopped issuing fresh tranches and no new SGBs are offered to the public till now (January 27, 2026).
Citations
- Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2025-2026: Upcoming Issue, Premature Redemption, Interest Rate and Issue Date
- Sovereign Gold Bond: Investors clock over 260% price return on premature redemption – CNBC TV18
Disclaimer:
This information is for general information purposes only. GoldenPi makes no guarantee on the accuracy of the data provided here; the information displayed is subject to change and is provided on an as-is basis. Nothing contained herein is intended to or shall be deemed to be investment advice, implied or otherwise. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the offer-related documents carefully before investing.
Bonds or non-convertible debentures (NCDs) are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India and other government authorities. GoldenPi Securities Private Limited is a registered debt broker and acts as a distributor and not as a manufacturer of the product.
