GOI Saving Bond
Most nationalized banks offer
interest rates of around 6-7% per annum for fixed deposits, most fixed-income investors
are turning towards the government of India savings bonds also known as government bonds. Fixed
income investors are increasingly finding investing in government bonds as a lucrative
option. Moreover, the govt.
bonds investment is a safe option as well, which ensures capital
protection. Many investors also contemplate investing in capital bonds.
The government of India savings
bonds were launched in 2003. These have a maturity of 6 years and can be bought
anytime through specified distributors such as SBI & its associates, all
nationalized banks, some private sector banks such as ICICI and HDFC, and
through Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. These bonds can be bought by
resident individuals, HUF, registered charitable trusts, the university established
or incorporated by the Central State Provincial Act under sec 3 of the University
Grants Commission Act 1956, or by father, mother, or a legal guardian on behalf
of minors.
The rate of interest that these
bonds offer is 8% per annum and the minimum investment is Rs.1000, which is the
face value of a single bond. There is no upper limit on investment. Non-cumulative
and cumulative are the two types of bonds that are available. In the case of
non-cumulative, interest is paid out half yearly. For the first time, interest
is calculated from the date of issue until Jul 31 or Jan 31, whichever is
nearer. From here on, interest is paid out in half-yearly cycles ending July 31
and Jan 31 paid out on Aug 1 and Feb 1 respectively.
Interest in case of cumulative
bonds would be compounded half yearly but would be paid out at the end of the
tenure, which is 6 years. If you have invested Rs.1000 in cumulative bonds, you
would get Rs.1601 at the end of the tenure. You are liable to pay taxes
according to your tax slab on the interest earned through these bonds. TDS is
deducted if your interest income exceeds Rs.10000 each year. The bonds cannot
be traded on the market and are available only in physical form. Documentation
for the bond, nomination, pledging the bond, and transfer in case of death of
the holder can be done only in physical form. The bonds can be bought in a
joint holding and nomination facility is available to a sole holder or a sole
surviving holder. You can pledge the bonds to get a loan, but this facility is limited
to loans from scheduled commercial banks. Transfer is possible only in the case
of death of the bondholder, otherwise it is not possible. There is no online
facility available for these bonds.
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