New Delhi, May 12 -- Gold held by Indian households is nearing an incredible $5 trillion in value, as per a March research report by Kotak Institutional Equities and accounts for a significant 65% of their non-property wealth. This is largely in form of gold jewellery, coins or bars for personal, cultural and traditional reasons.

Sachin Sawrikar, Founder and Managing Partner of Artha Bharat Investment noted that this works out to 25,000-30,000 tonnes of gold with 24 crore census households, which on average of 100-150 gm each is worth Rs.15-20 lakh at current prices.

Besides owning physical gold, Indians can also invest in gold alternatives such as digital gold and paper gold. The latter includes options such as Gold Mutual Funds (MFs),...