Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2024-25: Next Issue Date, Price, Interest Rate, Calculator, Benefits, How To Buy Online

Budget 2024 updates: The indexation benefit on long-term capital gains is not available when SGBs are sold or transferred after 12 months of the purchase date.

For Indians, the reverence they have for gold is beyond its market value. Now there are ways to own gold without its inherent risks or bearing making and wastage charges. Sovereign Gold Bonds are one such alternative offered by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Here, you can own gold in ‘certificate’ format.  

What is a Sovereign Gold Bond?

The Government of India introduced the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) in November 2015 under the Gold Monetisation Scheme to offer an alternative investment to physical gold. Over the years, the market has witnessed a considerable decline in the demand for physical gold. SGBs not only track the export-import value of the asset but also ensures transparency at the same time.

SGBs are government securities and are considered safe. Their value is denominated in multiples of grams of gold. SGBs have witnessed a significant increase in investors, with it being considered a substitute for physical gold. If you are looking to purchase an SGB, all you have to do is approach a SEBI-authorised agent or broker. Once you redeem the bond, the corpus (as per the current market value) will be deposited into your registered bank account. 

Sovereign Gold Bond Next Issue and Upcoming Issues

Sovereign Gold Bond 2024-25 Series

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may announce the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2024-25 first tranche (Series 1) in June 2024, considering the past trends. Historically, the RBI releases four tranches of SGBs throughout the financial year (April-March), starting from the Series 1 issuance in June. However, RBI has not yet announced about the SGB 2024-25 series.

Sovereign Gold Bond 2023-24 Series IV

Sovereign Gold Bond Price History

The price history of SGB for FY 2023-24 is as follows:

The price history of SGB for FY 2022-23 is as follows:

Who Should Invest in Sovereign Gold Bonds?

You may consider diversifying your portfolio with at least 5%-10% in gold. As a low-risk investment, it is perfect for investors with a low-risk appetite. The cost to purchase or sell SGBs is quite low compared to physical gold.  The expense of buying or selling the SGB is also nominal compared to the physical gold.

Those who do not want to go through the hassles of storing physical gold can also go for SGBs. This is because it is easy to store this in Demat form, and nobody can steal it as they are in electronic form.

Features of Sovereign Gold Bonds

Eligibility Criteria

Any Indian resident – individuals, Trusts, HUFs, charitable institutions, and universities – can invest in SGB. You may also invest on behalf of a minor.

Issuance of Bonds

Only RBI can issue SGBs on behalf of the Central Government, and they are traded on the Stock Exchange. It is issued in multiples of one gram of gold. Investors will receive a Holding Certificate for it. You can also convert it to Demat form.

KYC Documentation

You must follow the same Know-your-customer (KYC) norms as when you buy physical gold. You must complete KYC by submitting copies of identity proof such as a PAN Card and address proof such as a passport, driving license or Voter’s ID card for verification.

Capital Gains

The interest on Sovereign Gold Bonds is taxable as per the provisions of the IT Act, 1961. In the case of SGB redemption, the capital gains tax applicable to an individual is exempted. Also, long-term capital gains generated are offered indexation benefits to an investor when transferring the bond from one person to another till 23 July 2024. The indexation benefits on capital gains are no longer available for SGBs transferred or sold after 23 July 2024. 

Eligibility for SLR

If banks have acquired bonds after going through the process of invoking lien, hypothecation or pledging, then they accounted for SLR. The capital a commercial bank has to maintain in gold, cash, and approved securities before offering credit to customers is called Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR).

Redemption Price

The redemption price must be in rupees, based on an average closing price of gold of 999 purity in the previous three working days.

Sales Channel

The government sells bonds through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), and selected post offices, as may be informed. The trading of SGBs also occurs via recognised stock exchanges (National Stock Exchange of India or Bombay Stock Exchange) directly or through intermediaries.

Commission

The receiving offices shall levy 1% of the overall subscription amount as commission for the bond distribution. From this commission, they will share at least half with intermediaries (agents or brokers).

Sovereign Gold Bond Maturity Period

The maturity period of the sovereign gold bond is eight years. However, you can choose to exit the bond from the fifth year (only on interest payout dates). 

Sovereign Gold Bond Maturity Redemption

When the issued SGB completes 8 years, it comes up for final redemption. The price for final redemption is determined based on the simple average closing price of gold with 999 purity in the previous three working days, as reported by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA).

Two Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) launched in 2016 have matured in 2024 and come up for final redemption. SGB 2016-17 Series I, issued at Rs. 3,119 on 5 August 2016, is up for final redemption in the first week of August 2024. The final redemption amount is Rs. 6,938 for each SGB unit. 

SGB 2016-17 Series II, issued at Rs. 3,150 on 30 September 2016, is up for final redemption on 30 September 2024. The final redemption amount is Rs. 7,517 for each SGB unit. 

SGB 2016–17 Series III issued at Rs. Rs. 3,007 on 17 November 2016, is up for final redemption on 16 November 2024 (since 17 November 2024 is a leave). The final redemption amount is Rs. 7,788 for each SGB unit. 

Sovereign Gold Bond Premature Redemption Price

The price for redemption is determined based on the simple average closing price of gold with 999 purity in the previous three working days, as reported by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA). 

Investors can initiate early redemption of their SGBs after the fifth year from the date of SGB issuance, coinciding with the interest payment date. The premature redemption of SGB 2017-18 Series XII is 18 December 2024 at a price of Rs. 7,673 per SGB unit.

Earlier this year, the RBI announced the premature redemption price of three SGBs issued in 2019-20 (Series II), 2018-19 (Series V) and 2017-18 (Series II) in July. 

The premature redemption price of Series II of SGB 2019-20 is Rs.7,272 per unit of SGBs, which was redeemed prematurely on 16 July 2024. The premature redemption price of Series V of SGB 2018-19 is Rs.7,352 per unit of SGBs, which was redeemed prematurely on 22 July 2024. The premature redemption price of Series II of SGB 2017-18 is Rs.7,337 per unit of SGBs, which was redeemed prematurely on 26 July 2024. 

Sovereign Gold Bond Interest Rate/Return

The current interest rate for SGB is 2.50% per annum on your initial investment. It is paid twice a year (semi-annually) for 8 years, i.e. till maturity. Interest will be credited directly to your account, which you shared while investing. Returns are usually linked to the current market price of gold. 

Sovereign Gold Bond Maximum Limit

The value of the bonds is assessed in multiples of gram(s) of gold, wherein the basic unit is 1 gram. The minimum initial investment is 1 gram of gold, and the upper limit is 4 Kg of gold per investor (individual and HUF). For entities such as trusts and universities, 20 Kg of gold investment are permissible.

How to Buy a Sovereign Gold Bond Online?

A person can apply for a Sovereign Gold Bond through their banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices and recognised stock exchanges, such as the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India Limited, either directly or through agents.

SGBs can also be bought online through the commercial banks’ websites authorised to sell them. The process to purchase SGBs through a bank’s online website is as follows:

• Login to the bank’s internet banking account.
• Click on the ‘e-service’ option and choose the ‘Sovereign Gold Bond’ option.
• Read the terms and conditions and click the ‘Proceed’ option.
• Fill out the registration form and click the ‘Submit’ button.
• In the purchase form, enter the nominee details and subscription quantity.
• After verifying all the details, click the ‘Submit’ option.

How to Check Sovereign Gold Bond Status?

When you have purchased a Sovereign Gold Bond online with a Demat account, it will reflect in the portfolio after the SGB issuance. In case of offline purchase, a person can collect the SGB certificate of holding from the issuing bank, post offices, SHCIL offices, designated stock exchanges or agents. The RBI will mail the digital copy of the holding certificate to the email address entered in the application form.

Sovereign Gold Bond Certificate Download

The customers will be issued the holding certificate on the SGB issuance date. If a person has opted to receive the physical form of certificate, it will be mailed to the registered email ID; otherwise, it will reflect in the Demat account on the SGB issuance date. Customers can also collect the certificate of holding from the bank branch.

Sovereign Gold Bond Tax Exemption Under Section 80C

There are no tax deduction benefits for the lump sum deposit of SGBs under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The interest given on SGB deposits is also not tax-free. The interest amount must be declared under ‘Income from Other Sources’ during tax returns. The income tax will be as per the individual’s income tax slab. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is not applicable on SGBs. However, they are exempt from capital gains tax when held till maturity.

Sovereign Gold Bond Benefits

Absolute Safety

Sovereign Gold Bonds have none of the risks associated with physical gold except the market risks. There are no hefty designing or wasting charges here. Moreover, SGBs earn interest, unlike physical gold, which is an idle investment.

Extra Income

You can earn a guaranteed annual interest at the rate of 2.50% (on the issue price); this is the most recent fixed rate.

Indexation Benefit

Long-term capital gains arise when investors transfer bonds qualify for indexation benefits. There is also a sovereign guarantee on the principal and the interest earned.

Tradability

You can trade gold sovereign bonds on stock exchanges within a specific date (at the issuer's discretion). For instance, after completing five years of investment, you can trade them on the National Stock Exchange or Bombay Stock Exchange, among others.

Collateral for loans

Some banks accept SGB as collateral/security against loans pledged in Demat form. Hence, they will treat it as a gold loan after setting the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio to the value of gold. The India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited determines this.

Comparing SGB with Physical Gold & Gold ETFs

Gold Sovereign Bonds are new-age investment vehicles for those interested in diversifying their portfolio with gold holdings.

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