India to scrap capital gains tax on foreign investment in government bonds, ET reports

A man walks past a Rupee installation at the Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) headquarters in Mumbai, India, April 8, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

MUMBAI, June 4 (Reuters) – India plans to scrap capital gains tax on investments in ​government securities by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), ‌the Economic Times reported on Thursday, citing sources.

The plan is part of efforts to draw ​capital flows into India, amid ​pressure on the South Asian nation’s ⁠currency.

Reuters could not independently verify the ​report. An email to the federal finance ​ministry went unanswered.

Here are more details from the report:

  • Cabinet meet on Wednesday approved the scrapping of capital ​gains tax on foreign portfolio investment ​in government bonds.
  • Decision likely to be implemented via an ‌ordinance ⁠amending Income Tax rules.
  • Foreign investors currently pay 12.5% long term capital gains tax on listed shares and bonds held ​for more ​than ⁠12 months.
  • They also pay 20% withholding tax on interest earned ​in government bonds. This may ​be ⁠removed as well.
  • Foreign investors have maintained net positive flows into Indian government debt this year, investing ⁠a ​net amount of $1.4 billion, ​while nearly $28 billion has been pulled from equity markets.