Retail Direct Scheme is a one-stop solution to facilitate investment in Government Securities by individual investors. Under this scheme individual retail investors can open a Gilt Securities Account – “Retail Direct Gilt (RDG)” account with RBI. Using this account, retail investors can buy and sell government securities through the online portal – https://rbiretaildirect.org.in

Opening an RDG account will allow individuals to buy Government securities directly in the primary market (auctions) as well as buy/sell in the secondary market. For the retail investor, Government securities offer an option for long term investment. The advantages for retail investors can be listed as under:

1. G-sec are risk free: G-sec in the domestic market context are risk free and carry no credit risk.

2. G-sec offer decent yields for longer duration. G-sec yield curve extends up to 40 years. With Government issuing securities at different points on the yield curve, G-sec offer an attractive option for savers who need low risk investment options for longer durations.

3. G-sec offer prospect of capital gains: As there is an inverse relationship between bond price and interest rate, there is a prospect of capital gains when the interest rates moderate. One, however, must be conscious of market risks that could result in losses in case the interest rate cycle reverses.

4. G-sec have reasonable liquidity: G-sec have reasonable liquidity and can be transacted on NDS-OM. With the introduction of Retail Direct Portal, retail investors can now participate easily in primary and secondary market.

5. G-sec help to diversify portfolio: Investments in government securities would help in portfolio diversification and consequently reduce risk for retail investors.

6. Zero charges under Retail Direct Scheme: Retail Direct Account is completely free of charge and does not involve any intermediary. It would reduce overall transaction charges for individual investors in terms of the charges which they are otherwise required to pay for investing through aggregators or taking indirect exposure through mutual funds.

1. Government of India Treasury Bills (T-Bills)

2. Government of India dated securities (dated G-Sec)

3. State Development Loans (SDLs)

4. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB)

a. Retail investors, that is, individuals (natural persons) are allowed to open an RDG account. The following are required to open an account:

1. Rupee savings bank account maintained in India.

2. Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued by the Income Tax Department.

3. Any Officially Valid Document (OVD) for Know Your Customer (KYC) purpose.

4. Valid email id.

5. Registered mobile number.

b. Non-Resident retail investors eligible to invest in Government Securities under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

An individual can open only one RDG account. The second holder in a joint RDG account may also open an individual RDG account.

The RDG account can be opened singly or jointly with another retail investor who meets the eligibility criteria.

The RBI Retail Direct Online Portal will facilitate the following:

1. Buying Government securities through primary auctions (non-competitive segment only).

2. Buying and selling Government securities in the secondary market.

3. Buying and selling Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) in the primary and secondary market.

4. Investor services such as account statement, nomination facility, pledge/lien, gift transactions, grievance redressal, and managing profile like contact details etc.

1. Eligible Investors may login to https://rbiretaildirect.org.in and register using the Registration link to begin the account opening process.

2. To open an account, the investor will have to furnish details like full name, PAN, mobile number, e-mail address, residential address, savings bank account number, etc. and specify a login name. Mobile number and email address will be authenticated using OTP and all further customer requests and services will be OTP based.

3. For joint accounts, the PAN, e-mail address and phone number of both holders will be required.

4. Once these details have been provided, you will get a reference number to track your application.

5. You may now initiate your Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process.

6. In case of joint accounts, the KYC verification will be done for both the holders.

7. It will be mandatory for the investor to fill in the nomination details at the time of opening of the account.

8. The savings bank account of the customer will be linked to their Retail Direct account by crediting a token amount into their bank account and verifying the same.

9. Once the KYC is successful, an RDG account will be opened in the name of the investor(s).

10. Information related to account number, login id & password to access the Online Portal will be made available to the customer on their registered e-mail id.

11. In case of KYC failures, the individual can make new application or resubmit application after making necessary changes.

The following documents are mandatory to open the RDG account

1. PAN

2. Mobile number

3. E-mail address

4. Scanned copy of your signature

5. Bank account details (by uploading a cancelled cheque or manually entering the details on the portal)

6. Aadhaar number with mobile number linked to it

In addition, you may be required to provide an address proof to complete your Know Your Customer (KYC) process. The following documents are accepted as an address proof - Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, Aadhaar, NREGA job card duly signed by the State Government, Letter issued by the National Population Register containing your name and address.

Yes, you can change your registered mobile number and e-mail id on the Retail Direct portal.

Yes.

RDG Account can be opened and maintained with RBI free of cost.Know Your Customer (KYC) related queries

There are two ways of doing KYC verification – CKYC based and video KYC.

1. Enter your PAN card number and date of birth to retrieve details available in CKYC.

2. Provide address details, scanned copy of your signature, bank account details and nominee details.

3. Authenticate the user agreement form using Aadhaar by submitting the OTP sent on your mobile number linked to Aadhaar.

In case your data does not exist in the CKYC database, you will have to opt for the video KYC method.

1. Upload a scanned copy of your PAN card.

2. Download the XML version of your Aadhaar from the UIDAI website and upload it. Use the 4-digit pin specified while downloading XML version.

3. Provide address details, scanned copy of your signature, bank account details and nominee details.

4. Complete the video KYC by choosing a time slot for later or immediately, depending on the availability at that point of time.

5. Authenticate the user agreement form by Aadhaar using the OTP sent on your mobile number linked to Aadhaar.

Only if your address has changed from the one mentioned in CKYC. In that case, you may update your new address and upload a proof for the same.

The funds will be settled through this rupee savings bank account in case of any purchase/sale. Periodic coupon payments and redemption amount of the invested security will also be credited to this bank account.

To link your bank account, you can either upload a picture of your bank account’s cancelled cheque from where the system will automatically read the required details or enter the bank account details yourself. The system will then transfer a token amount to your account. Confirming this token amount on the next screen will lead to automatic verification and linking.

Your progress during KYC verification process will be saved so that you do not have to re-enter the details if you start again. The saved progress can be accessed using the link in the email which you received after registration, intimating you about KYC initiation. However, when you start again, you will have to keep clicking on ‘Next’ to move ahead without re-entering the previously saved details.