Government bonds in India are a contract or loan agreement between a state or central government and investors. When the government issues a bond, investors are welcome to invest. In return, the bond generates periodic interest payouts, and the primary investment amount is repaid upon maturity. The mechanism is similar to a standard loan, and here, the government becomes the borrower and the investors become the lenders.
Central and state governments can face liquidity crises or require capital to fund any specific project or infrastructure development. Under such scenarios, the government can offer debt securities like bonds to the public and collect the necessary funds. Investors, on the other hand, get the chance to invest in sovereign guarantee-backed securities and reap regular returns.
Various features and benefits make government bonds attractive to investors of all sorts. The diversity in the types of government bonds further boosts investors’ interest and initiates smart portfolio diversification.
Features of Government Bonds
The RBI is responsible for issuing government bonds on behalf of the government. Municipal corporations and other government bodies also issue their bonds in accordance with the RBI and SEBI’s guidelines. Each type of bond has unique characteristics; however, below mentioned is an overview of the features of government bonds.
Diverse Tenures
The tenure of government bonds generally ranges between 5 and 40 years. Long-term government bonds are ideal for safely parking capital for long-term goals and earning interest.
Note that certain government securities can have a tenure as short as one year and are termed short-term government bonds.
Steady Interest Rate
Most government bonds come with a pre-fixed rate of interest. While the interest on government bonds varies depending on the type, the interest accumulation is guaranteed. Note that some exceptions exist in a few types of bonds, such as floating rate bonds or zero coupon bonds, where the interest may get reset or coupon payments may not be a feature, and the investors may get compensated with a discounted price.
Regular Coupon Payments
Most government bonds offer coupon payments on a semi-annual basis. The date for the same is pre-set.
Transparent Regulations and Operations
The issuance, all the terms and conditions of the agreement, and the repayment plans are all guidelines and are monitored by the RBI. Investors will have access to all required information, and the entire process, from bond issuance to bond maturing, will be completely transparent.
Key Characteristic: Diverse Types of Government Bonds
Bonds are among the most popular government securities in India. An understanding of government securities and government bonds’ categorization based on their varying tenures and features offered will help in forming correct investment decisions.
In general, government securities can be of different types. Government bonds are part of government securities, which are long term instruments with tenures more than one year. one year or m.
Here is a list of government bonds in India.
Fixed Rate Bonds
The majority of government bonds are issued with a fixed interest rate, which remains the same throughout the tenure. Market fluctuations have no influence over the rates. The fixed nature of these types of government security bonds enables investors to plan and execute financial goals without any uncertainty about the returns.
Floating Rate Bonds
These government bonds do not have a fixed rate of interest. The rate is reset at pre-decided intervals, like once every year or once every six months. Some bonds may have a base rate and a fixed spread. The spread stays unchanged while the base rate gets adjusted. These bonds allow investors to enjoy the rise in market rates from time to time; the mechanism also indicates influences in case the market rates fall drastically.
Capital-Indexed Bonds
The capital-indexed bonds are linked with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The principal investment amount (the face value of the bond) rises when the CPI goes up and falls when the CPI goes down. The bonds can protect investments against inflation rates.
Inflation-Indexed Bonds
The inflation-indexed bonds work the same way as the capital-indexed bonds, protecting against inflation. Unlike the previous type of government bonds, the accrued interest, along with the primary investment, is linked with the CPI and stays safeguarded against inflation rates.
Bonds with Call/Put options
Call, in regards to bond agreements, stands for buyback and puts it for sale. Some bonds can have a call feature in their contract, permitting the issuer (the government) to buy the bond back from the investor. The put feature grants investors the right to sell the bond back to the issuer. Bonds can have both the call and put options. In any case, the buyback and selling rights can be exercised only on the date of interest payout, after the bond enters the 5th year of its tenure and the transaction is completed at the face value of the bond.
Special Securities
Special securities are basically long-dated securities that offer higher interest rates than the yield of other dated securities of similar maturity. These securities are not accessible to retail investors. The Government of India issues them to food corporations, oil marketing companies, fertilizer companies, and other such entities, where they are termed as food bonds, oil bonds, fertilizer bonds, and so on. These securities are like a substitute for the cash compensation owed by the government. The beneficiary entities can sell the securities in the secondary market to financial institutions, like banks and insurance companies, which can further use the securities as collateral for market repo transactions.
STRIPS
STRIPS stands for Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities. The process of striping refers to separating a regular coupon-generating bond into individual coupons and principal components to be sold at the secondary market. Take a bond with a 2-year lock-in period and semi-annual interest payments, for instance. The bondholder is to receive 5 payments, comprising 4 coupons and the principal. Through stripping, it can be divided into 5 different securities. Note that STRIPS are essentially zero-coupon bonds.
Sovereign Gold Bond
The Indian government launched the sovereign gold bonds (SGB) with two aims – the first being an initiative to bring the massive amount of gold available in physical form back to the economy of the country and enable investors to invest at the rates of gold. Since gold has a record of remaining stable even during market volatility, SGBs can ensure promised returns.
7.75% Savings (Taxable) Bonds
These savings bonds are issued at an interest rate of 7.75%. The minimum investment cap is INR 1,000 and can be further increased in multiples thereof with no maximum cap. An individual with Indian residential status, a minor through a legal guardian or representative, and a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) member is eligible to buy government bonds under this category. The interest will be taxed as per tax slab rates.
State Development Loans
The state governments of India can issue bonds to raise money for fund generation. These are called state development loans and are issued in coordination with the RBI. Each state has a certain borrowing limit per year. The interest rate is fixed and is paid on a half-yearly basis.
What are the types of government bonds offered by entities other than the central government of India? Read on to know!
Municipal Bonds
Municipal corporations and local government bodies in India issue municipal bonds to collect funds for socio-economic development. As per SEBI’s latest guidelines (revised in 2015), the issuing body should not have had any instances of payment default in the previous year. Furthermore, the net worth of the issuing body should have been positive in the three years preceding the issuance.
Note that these bonds have a maturity period of three years.
PSU Bonds
Public Sector Undertakings (PSU), where the state or central government holds 51% or more of the stake, issue the PSU bonds. The rate of interest can be fixed, floating, zero, or linked to inflation rates.
Foreign Government Bonds
When the government of one country offers bonds to citizens of another country, they are termed foreign government bonds. The transaction takes place in the prevailing currency of the country where the investors reside. These bonds create an entryway to new capital markets and allow foreign investments without the hassle of currency exchange.
Benefits of Investing in Government Bonds
The features and diverse types of bonds have given great insights into government bonds and their functions. The advantages will further help investors determine the suitability of these bonds for their investment portfolio.
Sovereign Guarantee & Low Risk
Since the government itself backs the bonds, the chances of default are almost non-existent, and the safety quotient rises high. Senior citizens and any investor with a low-risk appetite can invest in these bonds.
Note that even for seasoned investors and those involved in high-risk investments, government bonds can be a portfolio diversifying and balancing factor.
Regular Income
With their pre-decided periodic payouts, these bonds create a source of regular income for investors.
High Liquidity
Government bonds are tradable in the secondary markets. It means bondholders can sell them to collect funds if needed.
Hedge Against Inflation
Certain bonds are linked to inflation rates. In some cases, the primary investment amount and in some cases, the primary amount as well as the interest rate get adjusted with the increasing or falling rates of inflation, creating a protective layer over the investment.
Things to Know Before Investing in Government Bonds?
Government securities were mostly issued to companies, commercial banks, and similar big investors. However, over time, they became available to individual investors and cooperative banks. As you study government bonds to invest in, remember the following.
Understanding the Bond Type for Finding the Best Fit!
Each government bond is designed with distinct features, and you must evaluate them to find your best fit.
Moving According to Investment Objectives!
Your investment objective should dictate the investment plan. If you need the principal amount back in 10 years, investing in a 15-year plan will not be a smart move.
Diversification is the Key to Maximizing Benefits!
Diversify your investment amounts in different bonds to meet both short-term and long-term goals and reap the benefits of both short-term and long-term investment plans.
How to Invest in Government Bonds Online?
Investing in government bonds will be an easy and quick process on GoldePi. It explains how to buy government bonds in India in three simple steps:
- Complete the KYC.
- Choose the government bond.
- Make the payment.
The entire KYC procedure can be done online. All the details regarding the bonds, their prices, maturity dates, and other features will be updated on the platform regularly to help investors find the best option and make informed investment decisions. Payments can be made using one of the secure online payment gateways.
After you invest in government bonds India with GoldenPi, you can monitor the investments on the same platform.
FAQs About Government Bonds
1) What is a government bond?
A government bond is a form of debt security offered by state and central governments in India to investors with a fixed interest rate and periodic payout. The funds collected via a bond are used to fulfil capital requirements for operational or development projects of the respective government.
2) Can I buy government bonds in India?
You can buy government bonds in India in a few simple steps. GoldenPi has a comprehensive and user-friendly website for you. You can check out the list of the latest government bond issuances, choose one based on your investment requirements, complete the KYC online, and make the investment. The entire process will take very little time and effort.
3) How do I get a government bond?
You can get information on government bonds on GoldenPi. It maintains an up-to-date database with all the accurate and latest numbers and details.
4) What is the rate of government bonds?
Government bonds in India offer stable and assured returns, often at a fixed rate. While the rate can vary depending on the type of bond you select, the approximate average rate of interest on government securities is 7.5%.
5) How to buy a 2-year government bond?
The very first step is to find bonds with a tenure of 2 years and then review them to find the most suitable option for you. After that, completing the KYC and investing will be easy sailing on GoldenPi.,
6) Is government bonds a good investment?
Government bonds are considered highly secure due to sovereign backing. They offer good rates and steady returns. There are both long-term and short-term options available and various types to suit the varying needs of different investors. All these features make government bonds a great investment.
7) What is the rate of a 1-year government bond?
As of June 4, 2024, the rate of a 1-year government bond is 7.013%. Between 2016 and 2014, the rate has ranged between 7.332% and 3.762%.
8) How many bonds can I buy per year?
The maximum and minimum limits for government bonds in India are decided based on the investment amount and can differ from one bond to another. For example, most bonds have a minimum cap of INR 1,000 and no maximum cap. On the other hand, the minimum limit for SGBs is the amount equivalent to the price of one gram of gold, and the maximum cap equals the price of 4 kg (HUFs) and 20 kg of gold (corporations and trusts).
9) How to invest in government bonds?
Visit GoldenPi. Go to the government bond section and check out the available options. Read all about their features, including interest rates and maturity periods. While you decide on which government bonds to invest in, complete the KYC. Now, select the bond you prefer and complete the payment.
10) How to buy government bonds in India?
You can buy government bonds in India in the following simple steps:
- Select a trustworthy platform like GoldenPi.
- Complete your KYC.
- Select the bond.
- Make the payment.
11) Are government bonds safe?
The government bonds are backed by sovereignty, eliminating the chances of default and making them safe for all types of investors.
12) Are government bonds tax-free?
While the Income Tax Act of 1961 offers guidelines on taxation on government bonds, certain bonds, like PSU bonds, can enjoy tax exemptions on the accrued interest.
13) How do government bonds work?
Central or state governments issue bonds via the RBI to investors. The investors buy the bonds at the issuing price. The government offers interest at a pre-fixed rate and interval (semi-annually) and returns the principal amount on the date of maturity.
14) What are government bonds and securities?
Government securities are bonds or bills issued by the central or state government. The government offers these securities to raise capital for various development or operational projects and offers assured returns to investors.
15) What is the current interest rate on government bonds?
The rate of interest varies depending on the type of government chosen and the tenure. For example, the 5-year bond rate is 7.106%, whereas the rate for 10-year bonds is 7.033%
