How to invest in RBI Retail Direct

The platform, managed by the Reserve Bank of India, allows investors to invest directly in government securities (G-secs), Treasury bills (T-bills) and Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) without a broker. It simplifies access to the sovereign bond market for retail investors, offering a direct and secure way to invest and manage portfolios.

Registering
Investors can register on the Retail Direct website (https://rbiretaildirect. org.in). Resident Indians and NRIs are eligible to open an account by providing details for Aadhaar, PAN, bank account and mobile number. On verification, investors receive a Retail Direct Gilt (RDG) account for transactions.


Options
Investors can buy and sell various government securities, such as:

• Treasury bills: Short-term investments with maturities of up to one year.
• Government bonds: Bonds with tenures from five to 30 years.
• Sovereign gold bonds: A substitute for holding physical gold, offering returns linked to gold prices.

Placing orders
Investors can buy securities through periodic auctions conducted by the RBI. The platform allows users to view upcoming auctions, place bids, and track their bids in real time. Payment for the securities is made through a linked bank account.

Managing investments
The platform facilitates easy management of G-secs, allowing investors to view and track their holdings, receive interest payments, and access maturity proceeds directly in their bank account.

Points to note

• The platform enables direct access to government securities without brokerage fees.
• While G-secs are safe, they may be less liquid compared to equities, especially for long-tenure bonds.

Content courtesy Centre for Investment Education and Learning (CIEL).
Contributions by Girija Gadre, Arti Bhargava and Labdhi Mehta.