How to Buy Bonds in India: A Comprehensive Guide (2025).

Last Updated: December 25, 2025

Gone are the days when buying a bond required calling a broker and signing physical forms. Today, you can buy Government Securities (G-Secs), State Development Loans (SDLs), and Corporate Bonds entirely online.

However, there are three distinct "entrances" to the bond market. Choosing the right one depends on what you want to buy and how much control you want.

🧭 Bond Platform Finder

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We Recommend
RBI Retail Direct
Best for pure Government Bond investors. Zero fees, direct access to primary auctions, but the interface is clunky.

Method 1: RBI Retail Direct (The "Sovereign" Route)

Launched by the Prime Minister in 2021, the RBI Retail Direct portal allows individuals to open a 'Gilt Account' (RDG Account) directly with the Central Bank. This eliminates the middleman entirely.

📝 Steps to Open Account

1 Registration: Visit the portal. Sign up using your Mobile Number and Email ID.
2 KYC: Enter your PAN. The system will fetch details. You will need to upload a cancelled cheque and your signature.
3 Video Verification: A quick video call to verify your identity. Once done, the account opens in 24-48 hours.
4 Bidding: Log in on Fridays (usually) to place bids for new G-Secs. The money is deducted from your linked bank account.

Verdict: Best for serious investors who want to buy and hold Government Bonds for 10-20 years without paying a single rupee in brokerage.

Method 2: Stock Brokers (The "Convenient" Route)

If you already invest in stocks using apps like Zerodha, Groww, Angel One, or Upstox, you don't necessarily need a new account. These brokers allow you to buy bonds in two ways:

  1. Primary Market (G-Secs/SGBs): You can place orders for new government bond issues under the "Bonds" or "Gold Bonds" tab in the app.
  2. Secondary Market (Exchange Traded): You can search for listed bonds (e.g., "718GS2033") just like you search for "Reliance" or "TCS" and buy them live.

Verdict: Best for convenience. You get a single view of your net worth (Stocks + Bonds + Mutual Funds).

Method 3: Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs)

Stock brokers are great for stocks, but their data on bonds is often messy. You won't easily find "Yield to Maturity" or "Credit Rating History" on a standard trading app.

This is where specialized OBPPs (Online Bond Platform Providers) come in. Examples include GoldenPi, IndiaBonds, Wint Wealth, and Fixed.

💡 Why use an OBPP?

  • Curated Discovery: They filter out the junk. You can search by "Yield > 9%" or "Rating AAA".
  • Transparency: They show the "Dirty Price" (including accrued interest) upfront, so there are no surprises at checkout.
  • Docs: Easy access to the Information Memorandum (IM) and credit rating reports.

Note: When you buy via these platforms, the bond still comes to your Demat account. The platform is just the interface; the custody remains safe with CDSL/NSDL.

Comparison: Which one wins?

Feature RBI Retail Direct Stock Brokers Bond Platforms (OBPP)
Fees Zero Low (₹20 or 0.03%) Varies (Spread included)
Product Range G-Secs, SGBs, T-Bills Listed Bonds, SGBs Corporate Bonds, SDIs
Ease of Use Low (Technical) High High
Liquidity NDS-OM (Complex) Exchange (Moderate) Exchange (Moderate)