ETMarkets Smart Talk | Corporate bonds are emerging as a compelling alternative to fixed deposits: Nikhil Aggarwal

Retail participation in Indian corporate bonds is surging, with investors below Rs 50 lakh ticket size investing Rs 4,389 crore in April 2026, about 2.5 times the year-ago volume. Calendar year 2025 corporate bond issuances reached $128 billion, nearly double the 2020 level, reflecting structural demand meeting structural supply. Industry-wide retail participation in bonds grew roughly 140% year-on-year, driven by moderating FD rates, SEBI regulatory reforms, and improving market access through online bond platforms like Grip Invest, which now spans over 8,000 pin codes.