+ Expand AllSovereign Gold Bonds FAQs
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QWhat is Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)? Who is the issuer?A
SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity. The Bond is issued by Reserve Bank on behalf of Government of India.
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QWhy should I buy SGB rather than physical gold? What are the benefits?A
The quantity of gold for which the investor pays is protected, since he receives the ongoing market price at the time of redemption/ premature redemption. The SGB offers a superior alternative to holding gold in physical form. The risks and costs of storage are eliminated. Investors are assured of the market value of gold at the time of maturity and periodical interest. SGB is free from issues like making charges and purity in the case of gold in jewellery form. The bonds are held in the books of the RBI or in demat form eliminating risk of loss of scrip etc.
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QAre there any risks in investing in SGBs?A
There may be a risk of capital loss if the market price of gold declines. However, the investor does not lose in terms of the units of gold which he has paid for.
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QWho is eligible to invest in the SGBs?A
Persons resident in India as defined under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 are eligible to invest in SGB. Eligible investors include individuals, HUFs, trusts, universities and charitable institutions. Individual investors with subsequent change in residential status from resident to non-resident may continue to hold SGB till early redemption/maturity.
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QCan an investor hold more than one investor ID for subscribing to the Sovereign Gold Bond?A
No. An investor can have only one unique investor Id linked to any of the prescribed identification documents. The unique investor ID is to be used for all the subsequent investments in the scheme. For holding securities in dematerialized form, quoting of PAN in the application form is mandatory.
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QWhat is the minimum and maximum limit for investment?A
The Bonds are issued in denominations of one gram of gold and in multiples thereof. Minimum investment in the Bond shall be one gram with a maximum limit of subscription of 4 kg for individuals, 4 kg for Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and 20 kg for trusts and similar entities notified by the government from time to time per fiscal year (April – March). In case of joint holding, the limit applies to the first applicant. The annual ceiling will include bonds subscribed under different tranches during initial issuance by Government and those purchased from the secondary market. The ceiling on investment will not include the holdings as collateral by banks and other Financial Institutions
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QCan each member of my family buy 4Kg in their own name?AYes, each family member can buy the bonds in his/her own name if they satisfy the eligibility criteria as defined at Q No.4.
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QCan an investor/trust buy 4 Kg/20 Kg worth of SGB every year?A
Yes. An investor/trust can buy 4 Kg/20 Kg worth of gold every year as the ceiling has been fixed on a fiscal year (April-March) basis.
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QIs the maximum limit of 4 Kg applicable in case of joint holding?AThe maximum limit will be applicable to the first applicant in case of a joint holding for that specific application.
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QWhat is the rate of interest and how will the interest be paid?A
The Bonds bear interest at the rate of 2.50 per cent (fixed rate) per annum on the amount of initial investment. Interest will be credited semi-annually to the bank account of the investor and the last interest will be payable on maturity along with the principal.
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QWho are the authorized agencies selling the SGBs?A
Bonds are sold through offices or branches of Nationalised Banks, Scheduled Private Banks, Scheduled Foreign Banks, designated Post Offices, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL) and the authorised stock exchanges either directly or through their agents.
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QIf I apply, am I assured of allotment?A
If the customer meets the eligibility criteria, produces a valid identification document and remits the application money on time, he/she will receive the allotment.
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QWhen will the customers be issued Holding Certificate?A
The customers will be issued Certificate of Holding on the date of issuance of the SGB. Certificate of Holding can be collected from the issuing banks/SHCIL offices/Post Offices/Designated stock exchanges/agents or obtained directly from RBI on email, if email address is provided in the application form.
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QAt what price the bonds are sold?A
The nominal value of Gold Bonds shall be in Indian Rupees fixed on the basis of simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity, published by the India Bullion and Jewelers Association Limited, for the last 3 business days of the week preceding the subscription period.
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QWill RBI publish the rate of gold applicable every day?AThe price of gold for the relevant tranche will be published on RBI website two days before the issue opens.
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QWhat will I get on redemption?A
On maturity, the Gold Bonds shall be redeemed in Indian Rupees and the redemption price shall be based on simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity of previous 3 business days from the date of repayment, published by the India Bullion and Jewelers Association Limited.
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QCan I encash the bond anytime I want? Is premature redemption allowed?A
Though the tenor of the bond is 8 years, early encashment/redemption of the bond is allowed after fifth year from the date of issue on coupon payment dates. The bond will be tradable on Exchanges, if held in demat form. It can also be transferred to any other eligible investor.
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QWhat do I have to do if I want to exit my investment?A
In case of premature redemption, investors can approach the concerned bank/SHCIL offices/Post Office/agent thirty days before the coupon payment date. Request for premature redemption can only be entertained if the investor approaches the concerned bank/post office at least one day before the coupon payment date. The proceeds will be credited to the customer’s bank account provided at the time of applying for the bond.
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QWhat are the tax implications on i) interest and ii) capital gain?A
Interest on the Bonds will be taxable as per the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961). The capital gains tax arising on redemption of SGB to an individual has been exempted. The indexation benefits will be provided to long terms capital gains arising to any person on transfer of bond.
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QIs tax deducted at source (TDS) applicable on the bond?ATDS is not applicable on the bond. However, it is the responsibility of the bond holder to comply with the tax laws.
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QCan I trade these bonds?A
The bonds are tradable from a date to be notified by RBI. (It may be noted that only bonds held in de-mat form with depositories can be traded in stock exchanges) The bonds can also be sold and transferred as per provisions of Government Securities Act, 2006. Partial transfer of bonds is also possible.
Order placement process:
KST – Login → Alternate Inverstment → click on Apply Now CTA next to SGB tranche name
Website – Login → Place order → Primary market → Bonds&NCD’s
Deep linking page for the website: https://www.kotaksecurities.com/itrade/user/Marketing.exe?action=redirect_mf_ipo&id=3
Keat – Weblinks → IPO/Bonds → Apply bonds
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