Sovereign Gold Bond Redemption Today: Will You Pay Tax on Exit? Know SGB Rules in 2026
April 20, 2026
The RBI has opened premature redemption window for sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) under the 2020-21 Series-VII tranche today; will tax apply if you exit today?
The RBI has opened premature redemption window for sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) under the 2020-21 Series-VII tranche today; will tax apply if you exit today?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened the premature redemption window for sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) under the 2020-21 Series-VII tranche today, April 20, 2026. The redemption price for the tranche has been fixed at Rs 15,254 per unit, offering a 201.99% gain over the original issue price of Rs 5,051.
“In terms of GOI notification F.No.4(4)-B(W&M)/2020 dated October 09, 2020 (SGB 2020-21 Series-VII-Issue date October 20, 2020) on Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme, premature redemption of Gold Bond may be permitted after fifth year from the date of issue of such Gold Bond on the date on which interest is payable. Accordingly, the next due date of premature redemption of the above tranche shall be on April 20, 2026," the RBI said in a statement dated April 17, 2026.
With SGB investors looking to book profits after a sharp rise in gold prices over the past few years, one key question remains: Will tax apply if you exit today?
SBG Premature Redemption: Will You Pay Tax If You Redeem Today?
Tax treatment depends on how the bonds were purchased and the timeline of exit.
Before the Budget 2026, capital gains on SGB maturity were fully tax-free for all investors, including those who bought from the secondary market. After the Budget 2026, this benefit is available only to investors who bought SGBs in the original issue and hold them till maturity. Secondary market buyers will now have to pay capital gains tax.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget Speech 2026, said, “It is proposed to provide that the exemption from capital gains tax in respect of Sovereign Gold Bonds shall be available only where such bonds are subscribed to by an individual at the time of original issue and are held continuously until redemption on maturity. It is also proposed to provide that this exemption applies uniformly to all issuances of Sovereign Gold Bonds by the Reserve Bank of India."
Maturity means the bond completes its full original tenure of 8 years from the issue date, and is redeemed on the scheduled final redemption date.
SGB issued in October 2020 would mature in October 2028.
“Exiting the October 2020 bond in April 2026 is premature redemption, not maturity. So, it will attract capital gains tax," said a tax expert, who did not wish to be named.
However, if the bonds were bought from the secondary market through stock exchanges, tax benefits available to original subscribers on redemption at maturity will also not apply under the revised rules announced in Budget 2026.
What If You Sell SGBs On Exchange?
If investors sell Sovereign Gold Bonds on stock exchanges instead of redeeming with the RBI, capital gains tax rules applicable to listed securities may apply.
Long-term capital gains after the specified holding period may attract tax at applicable rates, while short-term gains may be taxed as per the investor’s slab, depending on prevailing law.
Interest Income Is Taxable
Apart from capital gains, investors should note that the fixed 2.5 per cent annual interest paid on Sovereign Gold Bonds is taxable as income. The interest is credited semi-annually to the investor’s registered bank account.
Why This Redemption Matters
The 2020-21 Series-VII tranche has delivered sharp returns as gold prices surged globally. Based on the redemption price of Rs 15,254, investors have gained over 200 per cent on the issue price, excluding the interest earned during the holding period.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has opened the premature redemption window for sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) under the 2020-21 Series-VII tranche today, April 20, 2026. The redemption price for the tranche has been fixed at Rs 15,254 per unit, offering a 201.99% gain over the original issue price of Rs 5,051.
“In terms of GOI notification F.No.4(4)-B(W&M)/2020 dated October 09, 2020 (SGB 2020-21 Series-VII-Issue date October 20, 2020) on Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme, premature redemption of Gold Bond may be permitted after fifth year from the date of issue of such Gold Bond on the date on which interest is payable. Accordingly, the next due date of premature redemption of the above tranche shall be on April 20, 2026," the RBI said in a statement dated April 17, 2026.
With SGB investors looking to book profits after a sharp rise in gold prices over the past few years, one key question remains: Will tax apply if you exit today?
SBG Premature Redemption: Will You Pay Tax If You Redeem Today?
Tax treatment depends on how the bonds were purchased and the timeline of exit.
Before the Budget 2026, capital gains on SGB maturity were fully tax-free for all investors, including those who bought from the secondary market. After the Budget 2026, this benefit is available only to investors who bought SGBs in the original issue and hold them till maturity. Secondary market buyers will now have to pay capital gains tax.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget Speech 2026, said, “It is proposed to provide that the exemption from capital gains tax in respect of Sovereign Gold Bonds shall be available only where such bonds are subscribed to by an individual at the time of original issue and are held continuously until redemption on maturity. It is also proposed to provide that this exemption applies uniformly to all issuances of Sovereign Gold Bonds by the Reserve Bank of India."
Maturity means the bond completes its full original tenure of 8 years from the issue date, and is redeemed on the scheduled final redemption date.
SGB issued in October 2020 would mature in October 2028.
“Exiting the October 2020 bond in April 2026 is premature redemption, not maturity. So, it will attract capital gains tax," said a tax expert, who did not wish to be named.
However, if the bonds were bought from the secondary market through stock exchanges, tax benefits available to original subscribers on redemption at maturity will also not apply under the revised rules announced in Budget 2026.
What If You Sell SGBs On Exchange?
If investors sell Sovereign Gold Bonds on stock exchanges instead of redeeming with the RBI, capital gains tax rules applicable to listed securities may apply.
Long-term capital gains after the specified holding period may attract tax at applicable rates, while short-term gains may be taxed as per the investor’s slab, depending on prevailing law.
Interest Income Is Taxable
Apart from capital gains, investors should note that the fixed 2.5 per cent annual interest paid on Sovereign Gold Bonds is taxable as income. The interest is credited semi-annually to the investor’s registered bank account.
Why This Redemption Matters
The 2020-21 Series-VII tranche has delivered sharp returns as gold prices surged globally. Based on the redemption price of Rs 15,254, investors have gained over 200 per cent on the issue price, excluding the interest earned during the holding period.