In the Indian investment market, gold has been a popular instrument, regardless of the gender or age of investors. The value of gold isn’t counted in digits only; it also holds cultural and religious importance in the country. However, buying physical gold will require time, effort, and money for proper security. A great alternative can be a sovereign gold bond (SGB); the money is invested per gold’s value but eliminates manual storage and safeguarding efforts.
The Indian government launched the sovereign gold bond scheme in November 2015. Under this scheme, investors can invest in securities denominated in grams of gold. 30% of the total SGB investments since its first issuance have been made in the 2024 FY, indicating the ongoing demand for the scheme. The long list of benefits, including the security of sovereign backing and assured returns, can further justify the demand.
Akin to most investment schemes, certain eligibility criteria and requirements have been set for SGB. The investment requisites include a minimum and maximum investment cap. More importantly, the numbers can vary based on the investors. Read along for a detailed overview of the minimum investment requirement for sovereign gold bonds. We shall further examine other significant factors and specifications to aid you with accurate financial planning.
Key Takeaways
- The minimum investment for a Sovereign Gold Bond is equivalent to the price of 1 gram of gold.
- The cap for HUF and individuals is equivalent to the price of 4 kg of gold per fiscal year.
- The cap for the trusts and entities is the price of 20 kg of gold per fiscal year.
- You can make a payment through cheques, demand drafts, electronic transfers and cash of up to INR 20,000.
- An investor can resale the SGB after 14 days of holding which incurs tax depending on the holding period.
How Does Sovereign Gold Bond Work?
The RBI, or Reserve Bank of India, issues SGBs in tranches under Government of India stocks. The issuance is generally informed via a press release every 2 to 3 months. A window of around a week is pre-set for subscriptions. The latest series opened for subscription earlier this year, in February.
Once the bond is purchased, RBI issues the certificate. The bond can be purchased in physical or digital form, and dematerialization is also allowed after allocation. The bond will generate a semiannual interest payout of 2.50% per annum. The investors will receive the last interest along with the principal amount on maturity.
Requirement For Sovereign Gold Bonds: Minimum Investment Cap
Investment in SGB is made in the quantity (grams) of gold. Investors pay the amount equivalent to the price of the desired gold quantity. The scheme offers subscriptions to individuals and entities. Irrespective of the investor type, the minimum investment has to be in (the same price as) one gram of gold.
After completing your KYC, you will be asked to enter the investment amount in whatever channel you invest through. The lowest option will be one gram of gold.
Maximum Investment Cap
The upper limit for an investment in sovereign gold bonds is not the same for everyone. Below are the various eligible investors and their respective investment limits.
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Individual Investors and HUFs
Individual Indian residents and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) members can invest in a maximum of 4 kg of gold.
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Trusts and Similar Entities
Under the SGB scheme, trusts, corporations, and similar entities are limited to 20 kg of gold.
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Joint Holdings
In the event that a bond is purchased under joint holdings, the cap will be applied as per the first holder’s eligibility status.
Note: The maximum investment ceiling is counted on a fiscal year basis. That means an individual or entity’s investment in bonds of different tranches in a fiscal year should not cross their specified limit.
Caps for Minors, NRIs, and Foreign Entities
A person below the age of 18 cannot invest directly. A guardian can make the investment application on behalf of the minor, and the investment ceiling will be applied accordingly.
FEMA or Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999, restricts any Non-Resident Indian (NRI) from investing under the SGB scheme. However, if the residential status changes after the bond purchase, an NRI can hold the bond until maturity while enjoying a premature withdrawal facility. The individual investor minimum and maximum investment ceiling is applied in such a scenario.
Foreign entities are not eligible for sovereign gold bonds.
Minimum Investment Cap Calculation: How Is the SGB Price Set?
The RBI’s press release on the issuance of the bond will also mention the price of the new subscription. The price is always set in Indian rupees.
The price is set on the average of the gold’s (999 purity) closing price for the last 3 business days preceding the subscription period. India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited (IBJA) publishes the price.
Once you have all the details of an SGB investment, like the invested units, gold rates, interest rates, and years, you can calculate the returns. However, an invest Sovereign Gold Bonds calculator will compute and display the returns more accurately and quickly.
Other Significant Investment Prerequisites for Sovereign Gold Bonds
While knowledge about the minimum and maximum investment amounts helps investors best distribute their portfolio, there are more obligations to understand and follow to reap SGB’s benefits.
1. Payment Mode
You can pay for sovereign gold bond subscriptions via cash, cheques, electronic fund transfers, or demand drafts. The upper limit for cash payments is INR 20,000.
2. Premature Withdrawal Conditions
Sovereign gold bonds have tenures of 8 years. Holding until maturity is not compulsory, as the premature withdrawal option activates when the bond enters its 5th year. However, certain conditions must be followed for withdrawing before maturity.
Premature withdrawal must be made on the date of interest payout in the 5th, 6th, or 7th year. Investors can make a premature withdrawal request 30 days before, but the last date is one day before the interest payout date. The proceeding, calculated as per the applicable gold rate at the time, will be generated in the same bank account as mentioned on the bond application.
3. Resale Conditions
SGBs can be resold in the secondary market once 14 days have passed from the original subscription date and in accordance with the RBI’s guidelines. The prevailing gold price, market demand, and supply ratio will influence the resale price. Remember that the investor must hold a digital certificate in a Demat account to be eligible for Stock Market trade.
Reselling sovereign gold bonds can have tax implications. The capital gains from an SGB, when held for the entire 8-year-long tenure, are exempt from tax. However, if it is sold prematurely, before completing 3 years, it will be counted as short-term capital gains and become subject to taxation as per the individual tax slab rate. A bond held for over 3 years will generate long-term capital gains and be taxed at 20% with indexation adjustment.
4. Transfer Conditions
Sovereign gold bonds can be transferred to a family member, friend, or anybody else who meets the eligibility criteria of being an Indian resident. The primary bondholder must complete the transfer before maturity by executing an instrument of transfer, as per the provisions of the Government Securities Act 2006 and the Government Securities Regulations 2007.
5. Nomination Conditions
Investors can submit the nomination form along with the SGB application form. It is important to note that even though NRIs cannot purchase an SGB subscription, being nominated will allow them to get government securities transferred to their name after the death of the bondholder.
Invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds with GoldenPi: Expert Guide, Latest Updates, & Seamless Experience
GoldenPi is the first fintech company in India to enable individual investors to access bonds and debentures. You can enjoy informed and seamless sovereign bond investments here. The platform is quick to update its database with each announcement of the latest SGB announcement. In addition to that, you will find details related to all the features and benefits to ensure your investment portfolio’s requirements and suitability.
Complete the KYC on GoldenPi, select your SGB units, and complete the payment. You can monitor your investment and enjoy all the perks at your convenience.
FAQs About Minimum Investment for Sovereign Gold Bonds
1. Can I avoid tax on sovereign gold bonds?
Hold the sovereign gold bond till maturity to avoid taxes on your capital gains. However, you will have to pay taxes on the interest income as per your tax slab.
2. Can each HUF member invest in 4 kg of gold under SGB?
One HUF, or Hindu Undivided Family, can invest in a maximum of 4 kg of gold under SGB.
3. Are sovereign gold bonds completely risk-free?
Since these bonds are issued on behalf of the government in India, the return is assured. However, you might face a loss if the gold price declines. Gold prices have historically remained quite stable.
4. What is the Minimum Investment Requirement for Sovereign Gold Bonds?
The minimum investment required by the investor in a Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) is the price of 1 gram of gold.
5. How much should an individual investor invest in a sovereign gold bond?
The lower (1 gram gold) and upper (4 kg gold) limits have been pre-instructed for sovereign gold bonds. You should decide your investment amount based on your capacity, expectation of interest income, and risk appetite.
6. What is the maximum loan amount that can be taken against SGB?
The minimum and maximum loan amounts against SGB depend on the bank. For example, the lower and upper limits at SBI are INR 20,000 and INR 20 lakhs, respectively. On the other hand, PNB has set a lower amount of INR 50,000 and INR 10 lakhs.
7. Is there any discount on the investment for online SGB applications?
The minimum and maximum limits remain unchanged, regardless of the mode of application. However, if you opt for an online purchase, you can receive a discount of INR 50 per gram of gold.
8. Is the premature withdrawal of SGB a smart financial move?
If you opt for premature withdrawal, you can lose money on capital gain tax. To ensure funds during emergencies and other requirements, you can divide your investment into different schemes with various lock-in periods. This way, the SGB can stay locked in, and you will still have other funding options.
