The central government will borrow ₹3.94 lakh crore via T-bills in January-March FY24, up from ₹2.47 lakh crore in October-December, per RBI’s auction calendar.
About Government Securities (G-Secs)
- G-Sec are tradable debt instruments issued by the Central or State Governments to manage fiscal deficits.
- Types:
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- Short-term: Treasury bills (T-Bills) with maturities of 91 days, 182 days, or 364 days.
- Long-term: Government bonds or dated securities with maturity of one year or more.
- Issuance: The Central Government issues both T-bills and bonds.
- State Governments issue only bonds called State Development Loans (SDLs).
- Risk Profile: Considered risk-free due to government backing (termed gilt-edged instruments).
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Key Highlights on T-Bills Borrowing
- Breakdown of Borrowing:
- ₹1.68 lakh crore via 91-day T-bills.
- ₹1.28 lakh crore via 182-day T-bills.
- ₹98,000 crore via 364-day T-bills.
- Increased Supply: T-bill borrowings have risen due to tight liquidity conditions in the market.
- Quarterly borrowing increased sharply compared to the previous quarter.
- Flexibility in Auction: RBI, in consultation with the government, retains the flexibility to adjust auction amounts and timing based on market conditions and requirements.
About Treasury Bills (T-Bills)
- Characteristics: They are Zero-coupon securities issued at a discount and redeemed at face value upon maturity. It was introduced in India for the first time in 1917.
- Purpose and Usage:
- Used to raise short-term funds by the government.
- Can be used by banks to meet Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) requirements or as collateral for repo transactions with the RBI.
- Eligibility: Individuals, trusts, institutions, and banks can invest in T-bills.
Zero-Coupon Security
A zero-coupon security is a debt instrument that doesn’t pay periodic interest (coupons) to the holder.
Instead, it’s sold at a deep discount to its face value. At maturity, the investor receives the full face value of the bond. |
- Market Role: Key instruments for managing liquidity and funding within the financial system.
- Open Market Operations (OMOs): RBI buys or sells G-secs to manage liquidity and stabilize inflation.
- T-bills are often sold to absorb excess liquidity or purchased to inject liquidity.
- Auction Mechanisms: RBI conducts regular auctions for T-bills and G-secs to ensure smooth borrowing processes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Treasury Bills
Advantages of Treasury Bills |
Disadvantages of Treasury Bills |
Safety and Security: Backed by the Indian government, making them low-risk investments. |
Liquidity Tightness: High borrowing through T-Bills can indicate constrained liquidity in the financial system. |
Liquidity: Can be easily sold in the secondary market before maturity, offering ease of exit. |
Market Sensitivity: Increased supply of T-Bills may impact short-term interest rates and market stability. |
Short-Term Investment Horizon: Ideal for meeting short-term financial goals like emergency funds or vacations. |
Investor Concentration: Predominantly held by financial institutions, limiting retail investor participation. |
Diversification: Helps reduce overall portfolio risk by adding a low-risk asset class. |
Limited Returns: Yields are generally lower compared to other investment options with higher risks. |
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Way Forward
- Diversified Participation: Encourage greater involvement of retail investors in T-bill auctions through awareness campaigns.
- Efficient Liquidity Management: Streamline OMO operations to ensure balanced money supply.
- Policy Adaptability: Maintain flexibility in borrowing strategies to respond to evolving economic conditions.
- Market Stability: Monitor the impact of increased T-bill supply on short-term interest rates and market dynamics.
By addressing these challenges and leveraging effective monetary tools, the government and RBI can ensure stable borrowing conditions and robust financial market operations.