Renu Suresh

Expert

Published on: Jun 24, 2026

Debentures under Companies Act, 2013

A debenture is a kind of document acknowledging the money borrowed containing the terms and conditions of the loan, payment of interest, redemption of the loan, the security offered (if any) by the company. The present article briefs the Debentures under Companies Act, 2013 and its features and types.

Debentures under Companies Act, 2013

As per Section 2(30) of Companies Act, 2013 “debenture” includes debenture stock, bonds, or any other instrument of a company evidencing a debt, whether constituting a charge on the assets of the company or not; (a) the instruments referred to in Chapter III-D of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934; and (b) such other instrument, as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, issued by a company, shall not be treated as debenture;] From the above definition, we conclude that debentures are a type of bond or loan which a company takes against security or in any other form From the above definition, we conclude that Debentures under the Companies Act, 2013 are a type of bond or loan which a company takes against security or in any other form A person holding debenture or debentures is called a debenture holder. A debenture holder is the creditor of the company. A debenture is a document issued under the seal of the company. It is an acknowledgment of the loan received by the company equal to the nominal value of the debenture. It bears the date of redemption and rate and mode of payment of interest.

Issue of Debentures

A Debenture is a unit of the loan amount. When a company intends to raise the loan amount from the public it issues debentures. Issuing debentures means the issue of a certificate by the company under its seal which is an acknowledgment of debt taken by the company. The procedure of issue of debentures by a company is similar to that of the issue of shares. A Prospectus is issued, applications are invited, and letters of allotment are issued. On rejection of applications, application money is refunded. In the case of partial allotment, excess application money may be adjusted towards subsequent calls. For more details on the Issue of Debentures by a Company, click here

Features of debentures

A debenture is a debt tool used by a company that supports long-term loans. Here, the fund is a borrowed capital, which makes the holder of debenture a creditor of the business. The debentures are redeemable and unredeemable, freely transferable with a fixed interest rate. It is unsecured and sustained only by the issuer’s credibility.

A debenture is a loan document that acknowledges a debt
The debentures are the part of the borrowed fund capital
It is in the form of a certificate issued under the seal of the company called a debenture deed
The interest is payable irrespective of the profit level, which means that even when the company is at loss, it has to pay the interest
Debentures can be secured against the assets of the company or maybe unsecured.
Debentures are generally freely transferable by the debenture holder.
Debenture holder does not have the right to vote in the company’s general meetings of shareholders, but they may have separate meetings to vote.
The debenture holders are eligible to get a fixed rate of interest.
In the event of liquefying the company, the debenture holder get preference in terms of repaying the borrowed amount

Different Types of Debentures

Unlike shareholders, the debenture holders who are the creditor of the company do not hold any voting rights. The debentures are of the following types:

Types of Debentures based on Security

Secured Debentures

Secured debentures are the kind of debentures where a charge is being established on the properties or assets of the enterprise for any payment. The charge might be either floating or fixed. The fixed charge is established against those assets which come under the enterprise’s possession for the purpose to use in activities not meant for sale whereas floating charge comprises all assets excluding those accredited to the secured creditors. A fixed charge is established on a particular asset whereas a floating charge is on the general assets of the enterprise.

Unsecured Debentures

This type of debentures does not have a particular charge on the assets of the enterprise. However, a floating charge may be established on these debentures by default. Usually, these types of debentures are not circulated.

Types of Debentures based on Tenure

Redeemable Debentures

These debentures are those debentures that are due on the cessation of the time frame either in a lump-sum or in installments during the lifetime of the enterprise. Debentures can be reclaimed either at a premium or at part.

Irredeemable Debentures

These debentures are also called Perpetual Debentures as the company doesn’t give any attempt for the repayment of money acquired or borrowed by circulating such debentures. These debentures are repayable on the closing up of an enterprise or the expiry (cessation) of a long period.

Types of Debentures based Convertibility

Convertible Debentures

Debentures that are changeable to equity shares or in any other security either at the choice of the enterprise or the debenture holders are called convertible debentures. These debentures are either entirely convertible or partly changeable.

Non-Convertible Debentures

The debentures which can’t be changed into shares or in other securities are called Non-Convertible Debentures. Most debentures circulated by enterprises fall in this class.

Types of Debentures based Coupon Rate

Specific Coupon Rate Debentures

Specific Coupon Rate Debentures Debentures are circulated with a mentioned rate of interest, and it is known as the coupon rate.

Zero-Coupon Rate Debentures

These debentures don’t normally carry a particular rate of interest. To restore the investors, such types of debentures are circulated at a considerable discount and the difference between the nominal value and the circulated price is treated as the amount of interest associated with the duration of the debentures.

Types of Debentures based Registration

Registered Debentures

These debentures are such debentures within which all details comprising addresses, names, and particulars of holding of the debenture holders are filed in a register kept by the enterprise. Such debentures can be moved only by performing a normal transfer deed.

Bearer Debentures

These debentures are debentures that can be transferred by way of delivery and the company does not keep any record of the debenture holders Interest on debentures is paid to a person who produces the interest coupon attached to such debentures.

Nature of Debentures

Debentures for cash

As defined above, debentures are usually issued for raising funds for the company. They are mainly issued for cash. The Debentures can be issued either at par, at discount, or at a premium

Debentures as collateral security

Collateral security is additional security along with the primary security when a company obtains a loan or overdrafts facility from a bank or any other financial institution. Debentures issued as such a collateral liability are a contingent liability for the company, Only when the company defaults on such a loan plus interest will this liability arise.

Debentures issued as consideration other than cash

This is another type of issue of debentures. Sometimes a company requires some assets or types of machinery, plants, equipment that are huge in cost. The company need not have money at that particular time for the payment So, instead of making payment in cash, the Company issues debentures to the vendor against such purchase with the terms of payment of the consideration other than cash

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Debentures Under Companies Act 2013.

A debenture is a type of debt instrument issued by a company to raise funds. It is an acknowledgment of the loan received by the company equal to the nominal value of the debenture. It bears the date of redemption and rate and mode of payment of interest.

Some key features of debentures are: they are a debt tool for long-term loans, the holder is a creditor of the company, they are redeemable and transferable, they pay a fixed interest rate irrespective of profits, they can be secured or unsecured, and debenture holders do not have voting rights in shareholder meetings.

Based on security, debentures can be classified as secured debentures (with a charge on company assets) or unsecured debentures (without a specific charge on assets).

Debentures can be redeemable (repayable after a specific period) or irredeemable/perpetual (repayable only on winding up of the company).

Convertible debentures are those that can be converted into equity shares or other securities, either at the option of the company or the debenture holders.

Zero-coupon rate debentures do not carry a specific interest rate. They are issued at a discounted price, and the difference between the nominal value and issue price is treated as interest.

Registered debentures are those where the company maintains a register with the names, addresses, and holdings of all debenture holders. Transfer requires a deed.

A company may issue debentures instead of cash payment when acquiring assets like machinery or equipment, if it does not have sufficient funds at that time.

The procedure for issuing debentures is similar to issuing shares - issuing a prospectus, inviting applications, allotment, and refunding excess application money.

In the event of a company being wound up, debenture holders being creditors get preference over shareholders in repayment of the borrowed amount.