Sovereign Gold Bonds
Sovereign Gold Bonds were launched on Thursday 5th November, 2015 as a part of gold monetisation. Sovereign gold bonds offer 2.75 per cent interest to investors to cut physical buying of the precious metal. The Gold monetisation scheme and Sovereign Gold Bonds schemes are aimed to reduce reliance on gold imports, which raise India's current account deficit to damaging extent.
What is Sovereign Gold Bonds?
Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) are Government Securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. They are listed in the cash market.
Objective
Need for a Sovereign Gold Bond :
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To reduce the demand for physical gold.
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Shift part of the estimated 300 tons of physical bars and coins purchased every year for Investment into 'demat' gold bonds.
Sale to Indian entities:
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, charitable institutions, etc.