What are government securities (G -Sec)?

What are government securities (G -Sec)? 

  • A Government Security (G-Sec) is a tradeable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State Governments. It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation.
  • G-Secs carry no risk of default as Investors are guaranteed return of both interest and principal from Government and hence are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.   

  • In India,the Central Government issues both treasury bills and bonds or dated securities.
  • The State Governments issues only bonds or dated securities which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs). State government in India cannot issue T -bills.