In India, both the money market and capital market play crucial roles in facilitating the flow of funds and meeting the financing needs of various entities. Here are some commonly used instruments in the money market and capital market in India:

Money Market Instruments:

  1. Treasury Bills (T-Bills): T-Bills are short-term government securities with maturities of up to one year. They are issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on behalf of the government to raise funds for short-term financing needs.
  2. Commercial Papers (CPs): CPs are unsecured, short-term debt instruments issued by well-established corporate entities to meet their short-term funding requirements. They have maturities ranging from a few days to one year.
  3. Certificates of Deposit (CDs): CDs are negotiable instruments issued by banks and financial institutions with maturities typically ranging from 7 days to 1 year. They represent a time deposit and are used to raise funds from the market.
  4. Repurchase Agreements (Repo): Repo is a transaction in which one party sells securities (usually government securities) to another party with an agreement to repurchase them at a predetermined price and date. Repos serve as a short-term borrowing and lending mechanism.
  5. Commercial Bills: Commercial bills are short-term instruments used by businesses to finance their working capital requirements. They are essentially promissory notes issued by the seller of goods or services to the buyer, with a specified maturity period.

Capital Market Instruments:

  1. Equity Shares: Equity shares represent ownership in a company and give shareholders voting rights and the opportunity to receive dividends. Investors can buy and sell equity shares through stock exchanges.
  2. Preference Shares: Preference shares are a type of equity instrument that gives shareholders preferential rights over equity shareholders in terms of dividend payments and capital distribution. Preference shareholders have a fixed dividend rate and preference in case of liquidation.
  3. Debentures: Debentures are long-term debt instruments issued by companies to raise funds. They offer a fixed interest rate and have a specified maturity period. Debenture holders are creditors of the company and have priority in case of liquidation.
  4. Bonds: Bonds are fixed-income instruments issued by entities such as the government, municipalities, and corporations to raise funds. They have a fixed interest rate, maturity period, and are tradable in the market.
  5. Mutual Funds: Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors and invest in a diversified portfolio of securities such as stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. Investors hold units in the mutual fund, representing their proportional ownership.
  6. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): ETFs are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, representing a basket of securities. They offer diversification and allow investors to gain exposure to a specific market index or sector.

These are just a few examples of money market and capital market instruments used in India. Each instrument serves specific purposes, caters to different investor preferences, and carries varying levels of risk and return. Investors should carefully assess their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and seek professional advice before investing in these instruments.