Sovereign Gold Bond Alert: Government’s Cheap Gold Scheme Coming Soon – Know the Expected Date

To reduce gold imports, the government started the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) Scheme. In this scheme, you can invest in gold without buying physical gold. The scheme was launched in 2015. Under it, the government issued gold bonds that people could buy and invest in. In return, the government gave interest as profit.

Recently, the Finance Ministry answered some questions in Parliament about the success and future of the SGB scheme. The ministry said that the scheme, started in 2015, has been very successful. The ministry also explained how the current global situation and geopolitical tensions have affected the release of new installments (tranches) under the scheme.

When was the last SGB instalment released?

The last time the government released Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) was in February 2024. It was the SGB 2023-24 Series IV. Since then, no new SGB series has been launched. According to an Economic Times report, Rajya Sabha MP Rajni Ashok Rao Patil asked the government if the SGB scheme has failed. He also asked when the next installment will be released. In reply, Rajya Sabha MP Pankaj Chaudhary gave a written statement.

Has the SGB scheme failed?

The government said that the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme was started in 2015 to reduce physical demand for gold. Till March 31, 2025, gold bonds equal to about 146.96 tonnes have been sold, worth around ₹72,275 crore. Out of this, bonds equal to 18.81 tonnes have been redeemed till June 15, 2025. So, the scheme has not failed. It has been successful.

When will the next instalment come?

The government said it raises funds in many ways, such as government securities, treasury bills, and sovereign gold bonds. The decision to use a particular way depends on the cost and the situation. Due to global tensions, gold prices have increased. This has made it costly to raise money through SGB. The government wants to keep borrowing costs low. So, a new SGB issue will be released only after carefully checking the market and gold prices.

What is the next SGB release date?

The government has not given any fixed date for the next instalment. It said that the new SGB series will be released only when the market conditions, gold prices, and cost of debt are favorable.