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Plain-English definition

What is Debenture?

A debenture is a debt instrument issued by a company or other eligible entity to borrow from investors under specified terms.

Reviewed by Kshitij Jain, Principal Officer · SEBI Investment Adviser INA000022172 · Updated 24 October 2026

How Debenture works

It may be secured or unsecured, listed or unlisted, convertible or non-convertible. The label alone does not establish repayment safety; ranking, collateral, issuer finances and covenants matter.

A rupee example

A secured debenture backed by identified assets may still recover less than ₹100 on ₹100 due if asset value or enforcement falls short.

The example isolates one idea so the arithmetic is visible. Real outcomes can include taxes, fees, cash-flow timing and market movement that the simplified example does not model.

Why it matters for your family

Families should read the offer document and credit details rather than treating a high coupon or the word secured as a guarantee.

Questions people ask

What does Debenture mean?
A debenture is a debt instrument issued by a company or other eligible entity to borrow from investors under specified terms.
Why does Debenture matter for a family?
Families should read the offer document and credit details rather than treating a high coupon or the word secured as a guarantee.
Where can I verify information about Debenture?
Start with SEBI Investor, linked on this page, and the current official document for the product or tax year involved.

This page is general education, not personalised investment or tax advice. Rules can change; verify current official documents before acting. Investment in securities markets is subject to market risk.