What are Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)?

An Electronic Gold Receipt (EGR) is a digital certificate that represents real, physical gold - stored in a secure, SEBI-accredited vault and tradable on the stock exchange, just like a share. Think of it as a digital proof of ownership for real, physical gold. 

EGR was launched on 4th May 2026 by the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Each EGR you hold is fully backed by physical gold, with your ownership recorded electronically through a depository, similar to how shares sit in your demat account. You don't have to worry about storage and safety. 

You can buy and sell EGRs on the exchange during market hours, and if you ever want the actual gold, you can convert your EGR back to physical gold too. You can invest in an EGR from as little as 100 milligrams. No need to buy a full gram or a coin. 

Example 

You want to invest ₹10,000 in gold without worrying about storage or purity. You buy an EGR on the NSE - your gold sits in a regulated vault, and your ownership is safely recorded in your demat account. 

ArihantPlus currently does not support the EGR segment, however it will be launched soon. 

How does it work? 

Investing in EGR is exactly like buying a stock or an ETF.  

• Log into your trading account (your broker should have EGR segment enabled) 
• Search for EGR on NSE  
• Enter the qty  
• Place your order.  

Before the trade settles, NSE verifies the physical gold is present in the vault. Once confirmed, your EGRs are credited in your demat account the very next working day. From there you can easily sell it or take physical delivery. It’s completely your choice. 

Key highlights of EGR 

• Transparent pricing — Gold prices today vary from city to city, and even jeweller to jeweller. EGR changes that with a single, exchange-discovered unified price across India. 
• Invest small — Buy from as little as 100 mg, with no storage headaches on your end. 
• Sell anytime — Trade your EGRs on the exchange whenever you want, during market hours. 
• Digital with convertibility option — You have the option to convert your EGR into physical gold, if you choose to. 
• Assured quality — The gold backing your EGR is held in SEBI-regulated vaults, so purity is never a question. 

Converting EGR into physical gold. 

Unlike gold ETFs, you can also convert your EGR into physical gold. You can place a withdrawal request through your depository, minimum quantity needed is 10gms. It stays valid for 3 days. The vault manager arranges delivery of your gold directly to you. The moment it arrives, your EGRs are cancelled - because now you hold the real thing. 

Want to verify purity before it leaves the vault? You can request a purity test on the spot. Charges are disclosed upfront - no hidden costs, no last-minute surprises. 

Trading hours & how settlement works 

EGRs trade for much longer than regular stocks: 

Monday to Friday — 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM (11:55 PM during the US daylight saving period) 

Gold is a global commodity. Prices shift when US markets move, when global news breaks, when the dollar fluctuates overnight. This extended window means you're never stuck waiting for the next morning to react. 

Trades settle on T+1 - your EGRs arrive in your demat account the next working day. 

What are the charges? 

For most people simply holding or trading digitally, it comes down to brokerage and depository fees - like any stock or ETF you already own. 

How is EGR taxed?  

EGRs are taxed as securities - just like listed equities - which makes them one of the more tax-efficient ways to own gold. 

Here's how it works: 

• Held for 12 months or less - gains are taxed at your applicable income tax slab rate 
• Held for more than 12 months - gains are taxed at a flat 12.5% without indexation 

No GST applies when you buy or sell EGRs on the exchange. However, you need to pay 3% GST if you choose to convert your EGRs into physical gold. So as long as you're holding or trading digitally, there's no GST on your transactions. 

Compare that to buying physical gold - where you pay 3% GST upfront every single time - and the difference adds up meaningfully over time. 

Available denominations 

EGRs come in 999 purity and 995 purity, across five sizes: 

How does NSE’s EGR compare with Digital Gold 

"But I already buy digital gold on PhonePe…" 

Many platforms offer digital gold and it may seem easy and familiar. But here's what most people don't realise: it’s not regulated. Digital gold is sold by a private company. No stock exchange, no SEBI-structured vault system and no clearing corporation involved. If the platform runs into trouble, you might lose your investment. 

EGR is built on a completely different foundation. It's a regulated financial instrument -governed by SEBI, traded on NSE, settled by a clearing corporation, and held in your demat account under depositories like CDSL or NSDL. 

• Digital Gold = a product sold by a company. 
• EGR = a regulated security backed by real gold. 

EGR is the most regulated and transparent form of investment for gold investors. 

Takeaway 

An EGR is like a digital receipt for gold you actually own - the gold is real, it's just held electronically. It is more convenient than ETF and a much-secured option than owning physical gold. With the discontinuation of Sovereign Gold Bonds, EGRs could be the best way to invest in gold for investors! 

India's love for gold isn't going anywhere. But with EGR, the way we own it has genuinely grown up. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q1. Do I need a new account to buy EGRs? 

No. Your existing trading and demat account works just fine. If you don't have one yet, open a free account with ArihantPlus and you're good to go. 

Q2. Is my gold safe in the vault? 

Yes. It's stored in SEBI-accredited vaults with strict regulatory oversight. NSE also verifies the gold is physically present before every trade is settled. 

Q3. What if my broker shuts down? 

Your EGRs sit in your demat account under CDSL or NSDL — not with your broker. Even if your broker shuts down, your holdings stay safe and accessible. 

Q4. How is EGR different from a Gold ETF? 

With a Gold ETF, you can't take physical delivery. With EGR, you can convert your holdings into actual gold anytime you want. EGR gives you more flexibility.