Third tranche of bharat bond ETF to be launched by December this year

The government would most likely launch the next tranche of the Bharat Bond (Exchange Traded Fund) ETF by December this year and expects to raise more than Rs 10,000 crore to fund growth plans of central public sector enterprises, according to a senior finance ministry official. The CPSEs fund requirements are being worked out and the third tranche will be launched by the end of the calendar year. He also added that the amount is yet to be finalised, but it would be over Rs 10,000 crore, the official added.

Second tranche oversubscribed by over three times

At present, the ETF invests only in AAA rated bonds of public sector companies. Through the debt ETF, the fund raised would help in smoothening borrowing plans of the participating CPSEs or public sector banks. It also helps them in meeting their capital expenditure needs.

The second tranche launched on July 2020, was oversubscribed by more than three times, collecting about Rs 11,000 crore. About Rs 12,400 crore was fetched by the ETF in its debut offer back in December 2019.

In the second tranche, maturity options of five and 12 years were offered by the Bharat Bond ETF, while the option was for three and 10 years in the first tranche. Edelweiss Asset Management is the fund manager of the scheme.