Indian government securities, or G-Secs, are the safest debt instruments in the country. They carry sovereign backing and offer predictable interest. For NRIs looking to park money in India without taking credit risk, they are a natural fit.
The rules allow it, but the tax treatment is not the same as it is for foreign portfolio investors. That distinction matters because it changes the net return on the investment.
who is eligible and how the investment works
NRIs can invest in government dated securities and treasury bills through their NRE or NRO accounts. The investment can be made on a repatriation basis, where the proceeds can be sent abroad, or on a non-repatriation basis, where the money stays within the NRO framework.
The Foreign Exchange Management (Debt Instruments) Regulations permit persons resident outside India who maintain a rupee account to purchase or sell dated government securities and treasury bills, as per terms specified by the RBI.
There is no aggregate investment ceiling for NRIs in these instruments under the current framework. The constraint is not the limit but the route and the tax treatment.
the two routes: general and fully accessible
Foreign investment in Indian G-Secs runs through two channels. The General Route carries certain restrictions, including caps on how much can be invested in a particular security and limits on short-term holdings. The Fully Accessible Route (FAR), introduced in April 2020, is an open-access channel where eligible investors can invest in specified G-Secs without any investment ceilings.
FAR was expanded in June 2026 to include new issuances of 15-year, 30-year, and 40-year government securities, along with sovereign green bonds issued in FAR-eligible tenors. This broadened the maturity spectrum available to non-resident investors.
The FAR framework is available to eligible investors, and NRIs fall within that definition. The RBI’s list of specified securities under FAR includes a range of dated G-Secs across maturities.
the tax treatment: no blanket exemption
This is where the picture changes.
In May 2026, the government issued an ordinance exempting Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and the Bank for International Settlements from income tax on interest and capital gains from G-Secs, effective from April 1, 2026.
That exemption does not extend to retail NRI investors. A government official clarified that NRIs investing on a standalone basis will continue to pay tax on capital gains and interest from G-Secs. The exemption applies only if the NRI invests as part of an FPI structure.
For retail NRIs, the tax treatment under the Income Tax Act, 2025, is as follows:
Interest income on G-Secs is taxed at 20%, except for certain notified securities where a concessional rate of 5% may apply. This is subject to any lower rate provided under the applicable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
Capital gains depend on the holding period. Long-term capital gains, where the securities are held for more than 12 months, are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains, where the holding period is 12 months or less, are taxed at 20%. Again, DTAA relief may apply.
The key point is that NRIs do not get the same treatment as FPIs. The recent exemption was targeted at institutional flows, not at individual non-resident investors.
the gift city alternative
For NRIs who want the tax exemption, there is an indirect route. GIFT City IFSC funds registered as FPIs can invest in Indian G-Secs and benefit from the exemption on interest and capital gains. An NRI can invest in such a fund rather than holding the securities directly.
This adds a layer of cost and complexity, but it also provides access to a more favourable tax treatment. The trade-off depends on the size of the investment and the NRI’s willingness to use a fund structure.
what retail investors should take from this
The investment itself is straightforward. NRIs can buy Indian government securities through their NRE or NRO accounts, with no overall ceiling under the Fully Accessible Route. The instruments are the safest debt available in India, and the interest is predictable.
The catch is the tax. Unlike FPIs, retail NRIs do not have a blanket exemption on G-Sec income. Interest is taxed at 20%, and capital gains are taxed at 12.5% for long-term holdings and 20% for short-term. DTAA relief can reduce the burden, but it must be claimed.
For an NRI with a large allocation to Indian debt, the GIFT City fund route may be worth exploring. For smaller allocations, the simplicity of holding G-Secs directly through an NRE account may outweigh the tax cost.
FAQs
1. Can NRIs invest in Indian government bonds?
Yes. NRIs can invest in government dated securities and treasury bills through their NRE or NRO accounts, on both repatriation and non-repatriation bases, without any overall ceiling under the current framework.
2. What is the Fully Accessible Route for NRIs?
FAR is an open-access channel introduced in April 2020 that allows eligible non-resident investors to invest in specified G-Secs without any investment limits. It was expanded in June 2026 to include new issuances of 15-year, 30-year, and 40-year securities, along with sovereign green bonds.
3. How is interest on Indian G-Secs taxed for NRIs?
Interest income is taxed at 20%, except for certain notified securities where a 5% rate may apply. DTAA relief can reduce the effective rate further if the NRI’s country of residence has a treaty with India.
4. How are capital gains on G-Secs taxed for NRIs?
Long-term capital gains, where the securities are held for more than 12 months, are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains, where the holding period is 12 months or less, are taxed at 20%. DTAA relief may apply.
5. Do NRIs get the same tax exemption as FPIs on G-Secs?
No. The May 2026 ordinance exempting FPIs and BIS from tax on G-Sec interest and capital gains does not extend to retail NRI investors. NRIs investing on a standalone basis continue to pay tax under the Income Tax Act.
