The global financial ecosystem in 2024 was riddled with turbulence, yet the fixed-income landscape, particularly in India, emerged as a beacon of stability. With markets reeling from geopolitical unrest and economic volatility, Indian bonds delivered calm, steady returns. By the end of September 2024, the Indian bond market had grown to an impressive $2.69 trillion (Source: CCIL, SEBI), marking its position as a key player in global debt markets.
“Boring is Beautiful” was the theme for the fixed-income market in 2024. Following prior years’ rate hikes, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held interest rates steady, fostering a predictable environment. The 10-year Government Security (G-Sec) yield reflected this calm, beginning the year at 7.18% and settling at around 6.75% by year-end. Investors reaped steady returns, supplemented by capital appreciation—making “boring” the most beautiful strategy for portfolios.
A watershed moment arrived in 2024 when SEBI reduced the face value of bonds from ₹10 lakh to ₹10,000. This democratized access, allowing individual investors to diversify their portfolios with minimal capital. Suddenly, bonds became not just an institutional asset but a retail-friendly opportunity offering stability and consistent income.
The emergence of Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) like IndiaBonds simplified the bond investment process, making it accessible to retail investors. These platforms brought transparency, user-friendly interfaces, and swift transactions, empowering first-time and seasoned investors alike to tap into the debt market with ease.
India’s inclusion in the JPMorgan Global Bond Index in 2024 was a defining moment. This milestone was further validated by the upcoming inclusion in the FTSE Russell index (September 2025), positioning Indian bonds as a key investment destination globally. These developments boosted foreign portfolio investment and domestic confidence in the Indian debt market.
As banks grappled with slower deposit growth, infrastructure bonds stepped in to fill critical funding gaps. Offering yields in the range of 7.25%–8.25% for tenures of 5–10 years, these bonds aligned investor goals of stable returns with nation-building efforts, supporting India’s ambitious economic growth agenda.
Geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures will continue shaping global markets. However, India’s relatively stable interest rate environment and anticipated modest rate cuts (25–50 bps) by the RBI provide a cushion against external shocks, making fixed-income investments increasingly attractive.
January 2025 marks the start of inflows from Bloomberg’s Global Bond Index, with FTSE Russell following in September. This will inject significant liquidity into the market, elevate India’s global debt market profile, and increase accessibility for foreign investors.
Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are set to explore private credit channels amidst tightened traditional credit access. This shift offers a unique avenue for investors to diversify portfolios, though it could expose vulnerabilities in the Microfinance Institution (MFI) sector due to supply-demand imbalances.
Unlike equities and mutual funds, fixed income remains largely unregulated in terms of distribution, leading to inefficiencies in price discovery and liquidity. We expect the distribution of fixed income to be organised under a proper framework, much like APs (Authorised Persons) for equities and ARNs for mutual funds. Further harmonization efforts—such as integrating RFQ and capital market platforms—could streamline operations, increase liquidity and bolster the bond market’s strength.
Despite the enormous bond market size in India, retail participation remains significantly low at just less than 2%, highlighting a vast untapped potential. This is set to surge, driven by advancements in OBPPs and a renewed emphasis on investor education. As equity markets experience wealth creation, investors will increasingly look toward bonds for diversification and stability.
In an era of unpredictable equity markets and diminishing returns from traditional assets like real estate and gold, fixed-income instruments shine as pillars of stability and predictability.
As India charts its path toward becoming a $7–8 trillion economy, bonds will play a critical role—not just in stabilizing portfolios but in driving national growth. With global recognition, regulatory support, and expanding retail participation, fixed-income investments are no longer optional but essential for every portfolio.
Whether you’re an individual investor seeking stability or an institution chasing diversification, bonds offer a unique opportunity to align your financial goals with India’s growth story.
Disclaimer: Investments in debt securities/ municipal debt securities/ securitised debt instruments are subject to risks including delay and/ or default in payment. Read all the offer related documents carefully.
