Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) are issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the Government of India. They are denominated in grams of gold, offering individuals a way to invest in gold without owning physical gold. SGBs have a tenure of 8 years, with an exit option after the 5th year. They offer a fixed interest rate, currently set at 2.50% per annum, payable semi-annually. Eligible investors include individuals, HUFs, trusts, universities, and charitable institutions.
The minimum investment is 1 gram of gold, with a maximum limit of 4 kg for individuals. SGBs are tax-efficient, with capital gains tax exemption if held until maturity and taxable interest income. They are secure investments backed by the Government of India and are tradable on stock exchanges. SGBs are linked to the market price of gold, so their value fluctuates with gold prices.