The central government issues government securities, which are tradeable financial instruments. G-Sec, as they are commonly called, is a debt obligation that the government has to pay. They can either be short-term, less than a year, or long-term, with a maturity of more than a year.
Government securities are an essential tool for the government as they help them borrow funds from the financial markets. G-Secs have always been considered stable and safe since they are backed by the government.
In this article, we will understand what government securities are, the different types of government securities, their advantages, how they are traded, and their advantages and features.
What is government security?
Government securities are debt instruments used by the government to borrow money from the public to meet their fiscal requirements. Government securities, or G-Secs, are risk-free investments since they are backed by the Indian government. They play a key role in the fixed-income market and can be easily traded on the government securities market.
By raising money through G-Secs, governments try to meet their expenditures, finance any budget deficits, and invest in infrastructural and overall development projects for the country.
Government securities work like any other debt instrument. An investor lends money to the government and, in return, receives periodic interest and the entire principal amount when the security matures.
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How do government securities work?
Sovereign governments issue debt securities to raise funds to meet their day-to-day capital requirements and to finance various defence, military, or infrastructure development projects.
An easy way to understand the concept of government securities is through the example of corporate bonds. Large organisations issue bonds to finance various business operations or to fund expansions into new markets, add new products, or buy new equipment.
Similarly, governments also issue debt to meet their expenses and not have to increase taxes on the public or reduce spending on other projects.
Once the government issues these securities, both individual and institutional investors can buy them. Investors may choose to hold these securities until maturity or trade them in the secondary bond market. Investors buy and sell these previously issued bonds for various reasons. They might seek to earn interest income from the periodic coupon payments or allocate a portion of their portfolio to conservative, risk-free assets.
These investments are often considered risk-free because, upon maturity, the government can print more money to meet its obligations.
Types of government securities
Government securities come in various forms to meet different investment needs and risk profiles.
1. Treasury bills (Short-term G-Secs)
Treasury bills, or T-Bills as they are commonly known, have a maturity period of less than a year. These short-term securities are sold at discounted prices based on their face value.
These are some of the most liquid government securities issued to meet any short-term requirements of funds.
2. Dated securities (Long-term G-Secs)
These securities, as the name suggests, are long-term in nature, and their maturity period can vary anywhere between 5 years and 40 years. Dated securities give investors consistent returns, which are called coupon payments. These long-term G-Secs are essential for the government as they help finance long-term projects and provide the investor with the principal on maturity.
3. Trading in government securities in India
Government securities can be easily traded in the secondary money markets in India by various participants, such as banks, investors, financial institutions, etc., based on their objectives and market sentiments. These G-Secs are traded via NDS-OM or Negotiated Dealing System – Order Matching, ensuring there is enough clarity and effectiveness throughout the trading process.
4. Cash management bills (CMBs)
These short-term securities are issued by the government at a discount on their face value. These securities help deal with temporary liquidity discrepancies within the government's cash flow. Cash management bills have a maturity period that can last up to 91 days.
5. Dated government securities
These are long-term G-Secs that are issued at a fixed coupon rate payment and have a defined maturity period.
6. State development loans
State developmental loans, as the name suggests, are issued by various state governments and can have varying rates of interest and different maturity horizons depending on the issuing state. The raised capital is then used by the state government to finance infrastructural and development projects along with meeting fiscal deficits.
7. Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS)
These government securities are devised to allow investors to protect their investments from inflation. Treasury inflation-protected securities, or TIPS, adjust the principal amount of the investment based on the changes in rates of the consumer price index.
8. Zero-coupon bonds
These government securities do not provide investors with periodic interest returns. The characteristic of zero coupon bonds is that they are issued at a discounted price from their face value, and when they reach maturity, they can redeemed at the full value of the principal amount.
9. Capital-indexed bonds
Capital Indexed Bonds are government securities designed to safeguard against inflation by adjusting the principal amount according to changes in the inflation index.
10. Floating rate bonds
Floating rate bonds provide investors with varying levels of interest rates that are reset at regular intervals depending on the reference rate. These government securities are a safe way to protect your investment from any fluctuations in interest rates.
11. Savings bonds
These government bonds offer competitive interest rates and many tax benefits to encourage retail investors to save their capital.
12. Treasury notes
These are medium-term government securities that come with a maturity period ranging from a year to up to 10 years and also pay consistent and regular interest to their investors.
13. Treasury bonds
Treasury bonds pay a regular fixed amount of interest to their investors. These long-term G-Secs have a maturity period of more than 10 years.
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Who can buy government securities?
Government securities can be bought by various entities, such as banks, financial organisations, primary dealers, corporations, private individuals, and international investors.
You can easily buy government securities through a variety of auctions done by the Reserve Bank of India. Another option is to purchase these securities through the secondary market or through stock exchanges that are well recognised or through the NDS-OM or Negotiated Dealing System – Order Matching platform that ensures transparency.
How do you trade in government securities?
Trading in G-Secs can be done either via the primary markets or secondary markets. Primary markets allow investors to take part in the auctions conducted by the RBI when the government wants to issue new securities. Another way to trade in government securities is through the secondary market, which lets you buy or purchase either via stock market exchanges or the NDS-OM platform.
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How to buy government securities in India?
The digital age has made investing in Indian Government Securities (G-Secs) and bonds more accessible than ever. Here are the primary methods to consider:
- Through a stockbroker: Similar to purchasing equities, you can invest in G-Secs through a registered stockbroker. They offer both non-competitive bidding and auction-based processes for acquiring these securities.
- Through mutual funds: A convenient option is to invest in G-Secs indirectly through mutual funds. These funds invest in a diversified portfolio of government bonds, eliminating the need for individual security selection. However, it's essential to carefully review the fund's portfolio allocation and duration to align with your investment objectives.
- Direct investment: You can directly purchase G-Secs through platforms like NSE GoBID or RBI Retail Direct. This approach offers greater control and potential for higher returns. To begin, you'll need to complete a registration process and participate in bidding for specific securities.
Why do banks invest in government securities?
There are numerous reasons why banks invest in government securities. G-Secs provide a safe and stable way for banks to keep their extra or surplus funds. By investing in G-Secs, banks can also fulfil their obligation of adhering to the SLR or statutory liquidity ratio. This ratio dictates that banks must deposit a certain portion of their deposit funds into securities that are approved by the government.
How do investors make money by investing in government security?
Investors can capitalise on G-Secs through various avenues. Those seeking a consistent income stream can opt for coupon-bearing G-Secs, which offer periodic interest payments. Alternatively, investors may purchase G-Secs at a discount to their face value. Upon maturity, these securities are redeemed at par, resulting in a capital gain.
Issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the government, G-Secs play a crucial role in managing the nation's fiscal deficit. Over the years, these securities have gained significant popularity among investors due to their inherent safety and stability.
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Features of government securities
Here are some of the features of government securities that make them a popular investment choice among many investors:
- Guaranteed by the government that it will repay your principal amount and also provide interest on the eligible G-Secs
- You get a fixed coupon rate of payment at regular and pre-defined time intervals.
- The maturity of government securities ranges from short-term to long-term, depending on the kind of G-Sec that is invested in.
- Government securities can be easily traded in the secondary markets, providing investors the chance to liquidate their investments whenever the demand arises.
Advantages of investing in government securities
Government securities offer many advantages, some of which include:
1. Safety: G-Secs are generally considered risk-free investments since they are backed and supported by the government, and there is a guaranteed repayment.
2. Regular source of income: Most government securities provide their investors with a stable and periodic payment of interest, which becomes a regular source of income for investors.
3. Diversification: Government securities add good diversification to your overall portfolio since they help reduce and mitigate the risk of other high-risk investments.
4. Liquidity: Government securities can be easily traded, purchased and sold through secondary markets, which ensures that investors can liquidate their holdings if they so wish.
5. Tax benefits: Some G-Secs also provide investors with tax exemptions on interest and other tax benefits depending on the debt instrument.
Examples of government securities
Examples of government securities include:
- Dated securities (long-term G-Secs)
- Treasury bills (short-term G-Secs)
- Floating rate bonds
- State development loans
- Treasury bonds
- Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS)
- Cash management bills (CMBs)
- Treasury notes
- Capital indexed bonds
- Zero-coupon bonds
- Savings bonds
Tax on government securities in India
Government securities, similar to fixed deposits, are subject to income tax. The specific tax treatment depends on the type of security and the holding period.
For Bonds and State Development Loans (SDLs):
- Interest income: Interest credited to your bank account is classified as 'Income from Other Sources' and taxed according to your applicable income tax slab.
- Capital gains tax:
- Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Gains from holdings exceeding one year are taxed at a flat rate of 10%.
- Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): Gains from holdings less than one year are taxed as per your applicable income tax slab.
For treasury bills (T-bills):
- Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): Returns from T-bills are considered STCG and taxed as per your applicable income tax slab.
Note:
No TDS: There is no Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on interest payments received from government securities.
It's advisable to consult with a tax professional for specific advice tailored to your individual financial situation.
Drawbacks of Investing in G-Secs
While Government Securities (G-Secs) offer several advantages, investors should be aware of the following potential drawbacks:
- Interest rate risk: As interest rates rise, the value of existing G-Secs may decline, leading to potential capital losses.
- Inflation risk: Over longer investment horizons, inflation can erode the purchasing power of fixed-income investments like G-Secs, reducing their real returns.
- Lower yields: The sovereign guarantee associated with G-Secs often results in lower coupon rates compared to corporate bonds.
- Tax implications: Interest income from G-Secs is generally taxable, similar to dividend income from equities.
Considering these factors, conservative investors prioritizing capital preservation may allocate a portion of their debt portfolio to high-quality G-Secs. However, for those seeking higher returns, diversifying into corporate bonds with appropriate risk profiles may be a suitable strategy.
Difference between government securities and bonds
Many of us end up using the terms government securities and bonds interchangeably, but both these terms differ in their scope. Government securities encompass a wide range of debt instruments issued by the government, whereas bonds specifically denote long-term debt instruments with fixed interest payments and set maturity dates.
Key takeaways
- Government securities, also known as G-Secs, are the government's debt instruments to raise funds to sustain day-to-day operations and finance development, infrastructure and military projects.
- All government securities guarantee their investors a complete repayment of their invested amount along with regular interest payments depending on the type of G-Sec that is invested in.
- Government securities do not come with any sort of risk, since they are backed by the stability and creditworthiness of the government.
- The downside of purchasing risk-free securities is that they usually offer a lower interest rate compared to corporate bonds.
- Government securities holders can either hold their G-Secs till maturity or sell them off in the secondary market if they wish to liquidate their holdings.
Conclusion
Government securities, or G-Secs, are essential financial tools that provide a safe and stable investment option for various entities, from individual investors to large institutions. They help the government raise funds for daily operations and significant projects without increasing taxes or reducing spending in other areas.
G-Secs offer several benefits, including guaranteed returns, regular interest payments, diversification, liquidity, and tax advantages. While they provide a lower interest rate compared to corporate bonds, the risk-free nature of G-Secs backed by the government's creditworthiness makes them a reliable investment choice.
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