Investments in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) surged sharply in the March 2026 quarter, with inflows rising nearly six-fold year-on-year to Rs 31,561 crore, reflecting strong demand for safe-haven assets amid global uncertainty.
On a sequential basis, inflows increased 36 per cent to Rs 23,132 crore, indicating sustained investor interest throughout the quarter, even as momentum moderated towards the end.
The surge in inflows pushed total assets under management of gold ETFs to Rs 1.71 lakh crore by the end of March 2026, nearly three times higher than Rs 58,888 crore a year earlier.
Investor participation also expanded significantly, with the number of folios rising to 1.24 crore from 69.69 lakh over the same period, signalling a growing shift towards financialised gold investments.
Analysts said gold ETFs continue to attract investors due to their liquidity, transparency and ease of access compared with physical gold.
They added that gold remains a key portfolio diversifier, serving both as a tactical hedge during periods of uncertainty and a strategic long-term allocation.
ETFs Witness Decline In 2026 Despite Ge-political Tensions
In March alone, gold ETFs saw net inflows of Rs 2,266 crore, down from Rs 5,255 crore in February and Rs 24,040 crore in January, when heightened risk aversion and rising gold prices had triggered strong allocations.
“This suggests a relative shift in investor preference, as valuations in equities turned more favourable compared to gold. While gold continues to play a role as a defensive allocation amid global uncertainty, the recent moderation indicates that investors are tactically rebalancing toward asset classes with stronger near-term return potential,” said Umesh Sharma, CIO- Debt, The Wealth Company Mutual Fund.
Inflows into gold ETFs, which had surged to a record Rs 24,040 crore in January, moderated sharply to Rs 2,300 crore in March, suggesting a shift back towards equities as valuations became more attractive.
“Gold ETFs cooled after three extraordinary months, while other ETFs had their best March ever at Rs 19,800 crore, driven also by institutional year-end rebalancing,” said Suranjana Borthakur, Head of Distribution & Strategic Alliances, Mirae Asset Investment Managers.
Borthakur also highlighted a nearly 5 times jump in Gold ETFs where it went from Rs 15,000 crore last year to Rs 74,000 crore in a single year.
Data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) showed that despite the slowdown in monthly inflows, overall appetite for gold-backed investment products remained robust, supported by macroeconomic uncertainty and market volatility.
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