RBI’s Retail Direct Scheme

• Vaid's ICS, Lucknow
• 16, Nov 2021

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)– Retail Direct Scheme to open up the Government bond market for the retail investors.

In February 2021, RBI proposed to allow retail investors to open gilt accounts with the central bank to invest in Government securities (G-secs) directly.

• Under the scheme, retail investors (individuals) will have the facility to open and maintain the ‘Retail Direct Gilt Account’ (RDG Account) with the RBI.
• Retail Investor is a non-professional investor who buys and sells securities or funds that contain a basket of securities such as mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
• A Gilt Account can be compared with a bank account, except that the account is debited or credited with treasury bills or government securities instead of money.

The scheme places India in a list of select few countries offering such a facility.

Aim:

• The move is aimed at diversifying the government securities market, which is dominated by institutional investors such as banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and others.
• While foreign portfolio investors were allowed to invest in G-secs, their holding is around 2-3% in the overall market.

Scope:

• It offers a portal avenue to invest in Central government securities, treasury bills, State development loans and sovereign gold bonds.
• They can invest in primary as well as secondary market government securities markets.
• Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching Segment (NDS-OM) means RBI’s screen based, anonymous electronic order matching system for trading in Government securities in the secondary market.

Significance:

Building an Atmanirbhar Bharat:

• So far, in the government securities market, small investors class, salaried class, small traders had to invest through banks and mutual funds in an indirect manner.

Improved Ease of Access:

• It will make the process of G-sec trading smoother for small investors therefore it will raise retail participation in G-secs and will improve ease of access.

FACTS FOR PRELIMS:

Next COP venues:

The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, concluded recently at Glasgow.

• At the end of the conference, the council decided that the 2022 edition of the Conference of Parties, or the 27th COP, will take place at Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and the 28th edition in 2023 will be held in the UAE.

Kashi corridor project:

• The project connects the Kashi temple with the ghats of the Ganga, with a paved walkway around 320 metres long and 20 metres wide.
• It will also have facilities for a museum, library, a facilitation centre for pilgrims and a Mumuksha Bhawan (salvation house).