Bonds are fixed income securities for a fixed period of time.

1. Government of India Bonds
The Government of India (GOI) from time to time, issues bonds through RBI

2. Fixed Rate Bonds
These Bonds carry fixed rate of interest which is declared at the time of issue and remains same till maturity.

3. Floating Rate Bonds
These Bonds carry interest rate which is linked to independent reference rates, independent index, commodities etc. and the rate is fixed for next period at the beginning of the period itself.

4. Deep Discount Bonds
This bond is issued at a discount to the face value. The face value is paid at the maturity. These bonds are also know as Zero coupon bonds or "Zeros".

5. Gilts
Fixed interest securities issued by the Government to raise money for public expenditure. In India these securities are issued by RBI on behalf of Govt. of India by auction process.
6.  Corporate Debentures

The corporate debentures are issued by Indian companies, whether secured or unsecured, having maturity of 18 months and above. These are issued in certificate form and are transferable instruments.

7. Public Sector Bonds
These bonds are medium and long term obligations issued by public sector companies where the Government shareholding is 51% and more. Most of PSU bonds are in form of promissory notes transferable by endorsement and delivery. No stamp duty or transfer deed is required at the time of transfer of bonds transferable by endorsement.

8.  Tax Saving Bonds
Tax saving bonds offer tax exemption under section 88.

The bonds will be held in Dematerialized form i.e. in ‘ Bond Ledger Account’. A certificate evidencing the investment held in the Bond ledger Account will be issued to the investor.

From the date of realization of Cheque / DD / Pay-Order or submission of Cash.

There are two options available:

Interest can be credited directly to investor’s bank account by giving the ECS mandate.

A sole holder or a single surviving holder of the bonds can nominate one or more persons.

The bonds are not eligible as collateral for loans from banks, financial institutions and Non-banking Finance Companies.

Bonds are not transferable and cannot be tradable in the secondary market.

1. Application form
2. Nomination form, if applicable
3. ECS Mandate form for direct credit of interest amount
4. Declarations forms, if any

It is the rate of interest which the issuer pays on the principal/paid up value of the Bond. It is fixed at the time of issuance of the bond.

Maturity is the point at which the term of investment ends and proceeds are paid out. Maturity Date is the date on which the Bond matures. Generally Bonds mature in a bullet form with a single repayment on single date. But some bonds have split or part redemptions with varying repayment dates.

It is average rate of return on bond if it is held to its maturity date and if all cash flows are reinvested at the same rate of interest.

These instruments are issued by scheduled commercial banks excluding regional rural banks. These are unsecured, negotiable, promissory notes having maturity of 91 days to one year.