Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS)

The Government of India announced the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) in September 2015. Under this scheme, people can earn money by depositing their idle gold. Through the GMS, individuals and organisations can capitalise on their gold reserves. 

The Gold Monetisation Scheme comprises the previous ‘Gold Deposit Scheme’ and the ‘Gold Metal Loan’ scheme, revamped and linked together in the GMS. The objective of the GMS is to mobilise the gold held by institutions or households and facilitate its use for productive purposes, reducing the country’s reliance on the import of gold in the long run.

How Does Gold Monetisation Scheme Work?

Investing in GMS is a good option for individuals and institutions as it keeps the gold safe. The GMS works like a savings bank account and saves the fees paid to bank lockers where the gold is kept for safety. Under the GMS, an individual/institution has the option to deposit gold in a gold savings account and earn interest on it. However, it must be noted that an individual cannot deposit gold jewellery having other metals or stones embedded in it.

The eligible persons can deposit gold in a bank savings account and receive interest on the gold deposited under the gold monetisation scheme. The interest earned under the GMS is paid either in gold or in money equivalent.

The GMS provides the option for repayment of the principal either in gold or cash equivalent to the value of gold on the date of deposit/investment maturity. However, the repayment of the deposited gold jewellery can be in a different form at the time of maturity, such as coin or bullion. The gold may not be given in the same form as deposited. 

Features of Gold Monetisation Scheme

• Minimum Deposit: The minimum deposit under the GMS at any one time is 10 grams of raw gold.
• Maximum Deposit: There is no maximum deposit limit.
• Type of Deposits: There are three types of deposits under this scheme, i.e. short-term, medium-term and long-term.
• Lock-In Period: The lock-in period depends on the type of deposit. For short-term deposit the lock-in period is 1 year, for medium-term it is 3 years and for long-term it is 5 years.
• Type of Gold: Gold is accepted in the form of raw gold, i.e., jewellery, coins, and gold bars, excluding stones and other metals.
• Nomination: Nomination facility is available under this scheme.

Tenure of Gold Monetisation Scheme 

The tenure of the gold deposits can be short-term, medium-term and long-term under the GMS. The GMS tenures are as follows:

Gold Monetisation Scheme Interest Rate

The GMS interest rate for the deposit of gold is dependent on the investment scheme, which is as follows:

Eligibility for Gold Monetisation Scheme

The Reserve Bank of India has stated the eligibility criteria for the gold monetisation scheme. The following are eligible to deposit gold in the GMS: 

• Individuals
• HUFs
• Proprietorship
• Partnership firms
• Companies
• Trusts, including exchange-traded funds and mutual funds registered under SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations
• Charitable institutions
• Central government, state governments or any other entity owned by central or state government

The RBI has also stated that two or more eligible owners can make joint deposits under the gold monetisation scheme. In the case of joint depositors, the bank will credit the interest to the joint deposit accounts opened together by the investors.

Process of Investing in Gold Monetisation Scheme

• Existing customers of the banks offering the GMS scheme can visit any designated branch. If you are not a customer of a bank offering the GMS, you must first open a savings or current account with the bank to opt for the Gold Monetisation Scheme.
• Once you are at the bank, fill out the GMS application form at the branch. 
• Next, visit the nearest Collection and Purity Testing Centre (CPTC) with a customer copy within 7 days of filling out the GMS application.
• Submit the gold with consent for the melting process to the CPTC and obtain the deposit receipt from the centre with the quantity of gold and purity details.
• You will receive the deposit certificate through courier and in your registered e-mail with details of gold quantity, purity, and scheme details.

Bank Offering Gold Monetisation Scheme

Below is the list of banks through which you can avail of the Gold Monetisation Scheme:

• State Bank of India
• ICICI Bank
• Bank of Baroda
• Indian Overseas Bank
• HDFC Bank
• Punjab National Bank

Repayment Under Gold Monetisation Scheme

The repayment provisions under the Gold Monetisation Scheme are as follows:

• Principal Repayment on Maturity: The principal will be repaid in gold or INR equivalent of the value of deposited gold at the time of redemption.
• Interest Repayment on Maturity: The interest will be repaid in INR, based on the value of gold in Indian Rupees at the time of deposit.

Premature Redemption Under Gold Monetisation Scheme

Any premature redemption of the MTGD and LTGD will only be in INR, while in the case of STBD, it will be as determined by banks. Premature redemption on STGD can be in INR or gold at the bank’s discretion. 

The applicable interest rate upon premature redemption of MTGD and LTGD are as follows: 

Benefits of Investing Gold Monetisation Scheme

• Gold Storage with Returns: The GMS provides an option to store idle gold at banks for a short, medium, and long tenure without paying locker charges while obtaining interest on it. Thus, the GMS gives an option to gain returns on gold that would otherwise lie still in lockers.
• Encashment of gold: Eligible persons or institutions can encash the value of gold when it appreciates by investing in GMS. Gold can be utilised in the best possible way through GMS. Investing gold under GMS increases its safety and lets the individual or institution profit from it.
• Flexibility: There is no need to invest gold in a specific form in the GMS. An individual or institution can invest in gold coins, bars, or jewellery. There is also no maximum limit on the amount of gold that can be invested under the GMS.
• Tax benefits: One of the best features of the GMS is that there is no need to pay any tax on capital gains on the profits an individual or institution makes under the scheme. Upon maturity of the GMS, the interest and maturity cash payments are exempt from income tax.

The Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) provides an opportunity for individuals or institutions to earn money from their idle physical gold. This scheme provides a principal and interest amount for the deposited gold and lets depositors benefit from the appreciation of gold prices. Additionally, the interest and principal amount have tax benefits, thus, helping depositors increase their wealth. 

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