According to Outlook Business, Indian buying behaviour has fundamentally changed with high prices pushing consumers toward minimalist jewellery and digital investment tools like ETFs and digital gold. As reported by The Times of India, flexible and transparent gold investment options such as digital gold and ETFs are expected to gain traction alongside traditional jewellery buying during this year's Akshaya Tritiya celebrations. As reported by PTI, analysts noted that participation is evolving, with more investors exploring financial products linked to the yellow metal even as physical buying remains significant during auspicious occasions. The growing popularity of digital gold is particularly notable among young, technology-literate investors who are increasingly inclined toward digital investments, with Gold SIPs becoming a legitimate method for long-term gold holding through platforms like Augmont. According to Kotak Neo Research, investment-oriented products like coins and small bars are likely to see strong traction, continuing the shift toward practical and liquidity-friendly formats as consumers move toward investing rather than merely holding physical gold for ornamental purposes.
Gold prices have surged nearly 58.7% since last year's Akshaya Tritiya, when gold was priced at ₹97,910 per 10 grams, with current prices around ₹1.57 lakh per 10 grams in early April. According to Outlook Business, experts expect gold prices to maintain a positive bias in 2026, with potential retesting of the $5,300–$5,500 range globally, implying 10–15% upside. Domestically, prices could reach ₹1.7 lakh to ₹1.85 lakh by Akshaya Tritiya 2027, driven by geopolitical tensions and sustained central bank demand. As reported by ANI, gold prices are up around 14-16% year-to-date, with the festival continuing to serve as a primary driver for the precious metals market despite elevated price levels. Despite intermittent corrections, gold and silver have gained around 10% and 5% year-to-date respectively, signalling continued safe-haven demand, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services. The brokerage noted that bullion markets in 2026 have remained volatile amid geopolitical tensions, a slowdown in global growth and shifting monetary policy expectations, with factors such as geopolitical risks, slowing global growth and the possibility of monetary policy easing later in the year supporting prices.
Digital gold offers 24/7 buying and selling options through platforms like Augmont, allowing users to invest in pure gold easily with just a few clicks. As reported by Moneycontrol, digital gold is backed by real physical gold stored in secure vaults by trusted suppliers, ensuring safety and transparency. The platform provides transparent pricing, secured storage, and assured purity certification, making it a trusted option for modern investors. Every digital gold investment is securely stored and backed by real physical gold, ensuring that investors can start with small amounts and gradually increase their holdings over time. Unlike physical gold, digital gold eliminates storage concerns and allows conversion to physical coins, bars, or jewellery when needed. This modern approach allows users to honour tradition while making intelligent, well-planned investments for the future. Digital gold can be purchased through mobile payment applications, online investment platforms, jewellery company websites, and specialized gold platforms, with many providers offering physical delivery options for those who prefer tangible assets. Multiple companies including MMTC-PAMP, Augmont, SafeGold, and Tanishq now offer digital gold with minimum investment as low as ₹1 or 0.1 gram, making it accessible to all investors.
According to Moneycontrol, post the 2024 budget, physical and digital gold are taxed as capital assets with a 24-month holding period for long-term capital gains taxed at 12.5%. Gold ETFs being listed instruments have a smaller holding period of 12 months before qualifying for long-term capital gains taxation. As reported by MIRA Money, investors must have a demat account for ETFs and incur expense ratios charged by fund providers. The choice depends on investor goals, with digital gold appealing for convenience despite regulatory gaps, ETFs offering security and market linkage, and jewellery remaining primarily a consumption asset due to making charges that aren't recovered on resale. Short-term capital gains tax applies if digital gold is sold within three years, while long-term gains may qualify for indexation benefits under applicable tax laws. GST may be applicable on purchase and additional taxes may apply for physical delivery, making it crucial for investors to understand platform policies before investing. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) offer half-yearly interest fixed at 2.50% and are taxable at subscriber's hands, with gains taxed as per slab rates under STCG if sold within 12 months and at 12.50% LTCG if held for longer periods.
According to ANI, Akshaya Tritiya is the second-largest gold-buying festival in India and continues to be a significant occasion for gold purchases, symbolising prosperity and long-term value. As reported by World Gold Council, while price movements earlier this year led to some cautious sentiment, demand fundamentals remain resilient, with gold prices up around 14-16% year-to-date. The market sees a shift in consumer behavior as younger buyers gravitate towards lightweight and contemporary jewellery, with increasing preference for 22k and 18k options alongside digital gold and gold ETFs. According to Kotak Neo Research, gold demand is expected to remain firm in value terms, although jewellery volumes may stay moderate due to elevated prices. The brokerage highlighted that elevated prices have kept jewellery demand subdued and price-sensitive, leading to discounted domestic prices, with investors now having multiple avenues to gain exposure to gold, including physical bullion, exchange-traded funds, digital gold and derivatives. As reported by Motilal Oswal Financial Services, gold is currently navigating a complex global environment with phases of pressure due to interest rate expectations and currency strength, but the broader outlook remains supported by uncertainty, inflation concerns, and long-term investment demand. Recent geopolitical tensions have driven intermittent volatility, reinforcing gold's safe-haven appeal as a preferred avenue for wealth creation, with experts suggesting that allocating around 10% of the portfolio to gold and precious metals can help mitigate risk while blending tradition with financial prudence during festivals like Akshaya Tritiya.
