Synopsis: With PM Modi reportedly urging Indians to avoid buying physical gold for a year, investors are now exploring smarter alternatives like NSE Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs) and Gold ETFs. Here’s a detailed comparison of returns, liquidity, safety, taxation and which option may suit investors better in 2026.
In 2026 people can invest in gold in different ways, for example people can go to a jewellery shop and buy physical gold, they can also buy gold Exchange Traded Funds, in India through a registered demat and trading account or they can invest in gold by buying NSE Electronic Gold Receipts, which let people buy and trade gold on NSE.
What Are These Options?
Physical Gold
In India people usually buy gold from a jewellery shop or a bank,it is bought in the form of jewellery, coins or gold bars. People like to have gold because it shows they are wealthy, Gold is used a lot during weddings and festivals and sometimes for emergencies. Buying gold can be very expensive as along with its price you also have to pay 3% GST and 3-25% making charges. The problem here is that when you sell it later, those making charges are usually not redeemable, which lowers your profit. There are also storage and safety concerns for keeping large amounts of gold at home or in bank lockers.
Gold ETFs
This is a modern way to invest in gold without actually holding it physically. In this you buy gold digitally through a demat and trading account. Each Gold ETF unit usually represents around 1 gram of gold, these ETFs are traded on stock exchanges just like shares, they are easy to buy and sell during market hours and you don’t have to worry about the purity of gold or safety or making charges. Most Gold ETFs charge a small annual expense ratio of around 0.5% to 1%, the fund house deducts it as the management fee.Gold ETFs have become increasingly popular in India, with industry assets crossing ₹50,000 crore in recent years.
NSE EGRs
- Electronic Gold Receipts, or EGRs, is a new way to invest in gold in India. It was introduced under the framework of the Securities and Exchange Board of India and it allows investors to buy gold digitally while the actual gold is safely stored in SEBI-approved vaults.
- Usually 1 EGR represents a fixed quantity of gold like 1 gram, you can buy and sell EGRs on stock exchanges just like stocks, without worrying about making charges,purity issues,or physical storage.
- What’s most intriguing is that investors can later convert EGRs into physical gold if they want, depending on exchange rules.
- Since EGRs are still relatively new, awareness and trading activity are currently lower compared to Gold ETFs. Many experts believe they will become more popular in future if digital gold investing keeps growing in India.
Also read: NSE Launches Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs): How They Work and What Investors Should Know
Key Comparison table
Returns: Which Is More Profitable?(Example)
Amount = 300000 ₹ , 100000 invested in each, 20% , Assumption- gold prices rise by 20%
We can see that digital options like Gold ETFs and NSE EGRs offer higher returns, while physical gold provides lower returns because of making charges and other extra costs.
Taxation
- Physical Gold: For a holding period of less than 24 months, the profit is taxed as per your income slab, whereas for a holding period of more than 24 months, gains qualify for 12.5% LTCG tax. Additionally buyers pay 3% GST + 3%–25% making charges.
- Gold ETFs: Gold ETFs are taxed according to your slab if sold within 12 months, but if sold after 12 months they qualify for 12.5% LTCG tax, and since there are no making charges or GST on purchase, investors usually keep more of their returns.
- NSE EGRs: EGRs currently follow taxation similar to physical gold, where gains within 24 months are taxed as per your slab and gains while gains after 24 months attract 12.5% LTCG tax, though the rules may continue to evolve as the product grows in India.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you want gold for jewellery and personal use, physical gold may be a better option , while Gold ETFs and NSE EGRs can be more desirable for investors looking for convenience and lower extra costs.
Written by Shreya Tiwari
