

After Budget shuts tax-free exits on SGBs, small February window offers last chance
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. The Budget for 2026-27 has removed the tax-free redemption benefit on sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) for secondary market buyers. Starting 1 April 2026, only those investors who bought SGBs at the time of issue and held them till maturity will get tax-free gains, excluding investors who purchased the bonds on stock exchanges even if they hold them till maturity.
The Budget has also quietly withdrawn another important exemption that impacts primary buyers as well. Tax laws currently allow capital gains tax exemption on SGBs redeemed prematurely through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after the five-year lock-in ends. This benefit has now been removed.
“Now, tax exemption is not available to anyone upon premature redemption, including if the redemption is by the RBI after a lock-in period of five years," said Harshal Bhuta, partner, P. R. Bhuta & Co.
CAs. Together, the changes sharply narrow the circumstances under which SGBs retain their marquee tax-free status, effectively confining the benefit to investors who buy at issue and hold for the full eight-year maturity. The changes will come into effect from 1 April 2026, but a final opportunity remains for a narrow set of investors.
According to the RBI’s premature redemption calendar for sovereign gold bonds for October 2025 to March 2026, four SGB series—2020-21 Series VI, 2020-21 Series XII, 2019-20 Series X and 2019-20 Series IV—will be eligible for premature redemption. These will mature on 7 March, 9 March, 11 March and 17 March, respectively. Harsh Roongta, founder, Fee Only Investment Advisers, an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, said investors have to give notice to their bank or
. Read on livemint.com