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As of October 2025, the 4-year return of the Nifty 50 stands at +41.6%. Meanwhile, a 10% corporate bond, including reinvestment of coupons, delivered a +46.4% return over the same period – nearly 5% higher than the Nifty 50 (Source: NSE INDICES). High-quality corporate bonds have not only kept pace with equities but slightly outperformed them – and with significantly lower volatility bringing peace of mind.

Bonds also continue to offer yields 3-4% above fixed deposits, bringing us to the question: Why take on equity risk, volatility, and uncertainty, or settle for barely inflation beating returns? Bonds hit that sweet spot – as a fixed-income investment instrument offering regular, passive, and predictable returns to investors who are looking for portfolio stability and steady growth.

The challenge, however, has been the financial infrastructure gap: with limited investor awareness, a still high minimum investment threshold (at ?10,000), and perceived complexity and opacity of the bond ecosystem. But this is changing with online bond platform (OBPs) like IndiaBonds.com now working towards democratising debt access and strengthening retail participation in the fixed-income market.

Further to this, I’d like to propose an interaction with Mr. Vishal Goenka, Co-Founder of IndiaBonds.com, who is actively driving innovation and strategic growth at IndiaBonds.com and in the Indian retail bond investment space. Vishal has over two decades of specialised experience in Global Fixed Income Markets, Bonds, Loans, Derivatives, Structured Products and Distressed Credit. Prior to this, he served as Managing Director at Deutsche Bank Singapore, held roles in London with Merrill Lynch and RBS, and holds an MBA from London Business School.

Vishal Goenka can shed light and provide perspective on the following:

• Corporate bonds have delivered a 4-year return nearly 5% higher than the Nifty 50. What factors have driven this performance, and what does this signal for the long-term outlook of debt investments?
• How do corporate bonds balance the promise of steady returns with moderate risk, and where do they fit in a diversified investor portfolio today?
• Corporate bonds transactions are expected to jump 85% in FY25. What’s fuelling this surge in investor interest and participation?
• With India’s bond market nearing $3 trillion mark, what macro factors are shaping its movement, volatility, pricing, and liquidity – and how do these impact retail investors?
• What are some of the biggest challenges the Indian bond ecosystem continues to face? In terms of access, awareness, adoption, or anything else?
• Why is the bond market perceived to be so complex and opaque, particularly by smaller investors? What steps are being taken to breakdown, simplify, and improve their investment experience and journey?
• How is the regulatory and structural framework evolving to strengthen retail participation in India’s fixed-income landscape?
• How are you tailoring your approach for first-time investors – especially new-age digital investors vs traditional savers who are new to bonds as an asset class?

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