The Ultimate Guide to Investing in Silver: Digital, ETFs, and Physical Options

Silver has recently crossed the ₹1 lakh per kg mark, making headlines as a lucrative investment opportunity. With strong demand from industrial applications like solar energy and electric vehicles, silver offers a unique blend of precious metal stability and industrial growth potential.

If you’re considering investing in silver, here’s a breakdown of the best ways to get started—Digital Silver, Silver ETFs/Fund of Funds (FoF), and Physical Silver—along with their pros and cons.

Why Invest in Silver? Key Data Points

• Record High Prices: Silver recently surpassed ₹1 lakh/kg for the first time in history.
• Industrial Demand: Over 52% of silver demand comes from industries, especially clean energy sectors like solar panels and EVs.
• Supply Shortage: The Silver Institute forecasts demand will exceed supply for the next five years, potentially driving prices higher.
• Gold-Silver Ratio: Currently at 91.53 (as of June 2025), silver remains undervalued compared to gold, suggesting room for growth.

(Source: HDFC Mutual Fund’s Tuesday’s Talking Point, June 2025)

Ways to Invest in Silver

1. Digital Silver (E-Silver)

How It Works: Digital silver allows investors to buy and sell silver online in small quantities (as low as ₹10 ) without physical storage.

Advantages:
✅ No Storage Hassles – No need to worry about safekeeping.
✅ Better Prices - The bullion is available at wholesale market prices.
✅ Fractional Investing – Buy small amounts (ideal for beginners).
✅ Liquidity – Easily tradable on digital platforms.
✅ Lower Costs – No making charges or purity concerns.

Best For: Investors looking for a hassle-free, low-cost entry into silver.
Example: Augmont, Batuk.

2. Silver ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) & Fund of Funds (FoF)

How It Works:

• Silver ETFs track silver prices and are backed by physical silver.
• Silver FoF invests in Silver ETFs, offering a diversified approach.

Example: “Aditya Birla Sun Life Silver ETF FOF”, HDFC Silver ETF (NSE: HDFCSILVER) , HDFC Silver ETF Fund of Fund, “ICICI Prudential Silver ETF Fund of Fund”

Advantages:
✅ Convenience & Safety – No need to store physical silver.
✅ High Liquidity – ETFs trade on stock exchanges; FoFs can be redeemed directly.
✅ Purity Assurance – Backed by 99.9% pure silver.
✅ Lower Costs – Minimal expense ratios compared to physical silver.

Best For: Investors seeking long-term exposure to silver without handling physical metal.

3. Physical Silver (Coins, Bars, Jewelry)

How It Works: Buy silver in the form of coins, bars, or jewelry from dealers.

Advantages:
✅ Tangible Asset – Direct ownership of the metal.
✅ No Counterparty Risk – Unlike digital or ETF investments.

Disadvantages:
❌ Storage & Insurance Costs – Requires secure storage.
❌ High Making Charges – Jewelry comes with additional costs.
❌ Lower Liquidity – Selling physical silver may take time.

Best For: Investors who prefer holding physical assets despite the drawbacks.

4. SIP in Silver: A Disciplined Approach to Investing

For investors who prefer a gradual, risk-averse strategy, Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are now available in Digital Silver and Silver Fund of Funds (FoFs).

How It Works:

• Digital Silver SIP: Invest fixed amounts (e.g., ₹500/month) via apps/platforms, accumulating silver grams over time.
• Silver FoF SIP: Regularly invest in a Silver ETF-backed FoF (like HDFC Silver ETF FoF), benefiting from rupee-cost averaging.

Advantages of SIPs:
✅ Affordability – Start with small amounts (as low as ₹100/month).
✅ Reduces Market Timing Risk – Averages purchase prices during volatility.
✅ Automated Investing – Set-and-forget approach for long-term wealth creation.

Best For:

• Salaried individuals seeking passive exposure to silver.
• Investors aiming to hedge against inflation systematically.

(Pro Tip: SIPs can iron out short term volatility in price movement!)

Why Digital Silver & ETFs/FoFs Are Better Choices

1. Ease of Investment – No need to worry about storage, theft, or purity checks.
2. Lower Costs – Avoid making charges, dealer premiums, and insurance fees.
3. Better Liquidity – Sell instantly on exchanges or digital platforms.
4. Tax Efficiency – ETFs held for over 2 years qualify for long-term capital gains tax benefits.

Taxation on Silver Investments: What You Need to Know

Understanding tax implications is crucial when investing in silver. In India:

• Physical/Digital Silver/Silver ETFs/FoFs **: Treated as a commodity; profits are taxed as **short-term capital gains (STCG) at your income tax slab rate if sold within 2 years. If held longer, long-term capital gains (LTCG) apply at flat 12.5%. There is no indexation benefit available now.
• GST: Physical silver attracts 3% GST at purchase, while digital/ETF investments incur only management fees (no GST).

Smart Tip: SIPs in Silver FoFs can optimize taxes—each installment’s 2-year LTCG period is counted individually.

(Consult a CA for personalized advice, as rules may vary based on holding period and fund structure.)

Final Thoughts: Which Option Should You Choose?

For most investors, Digital Silver and Silver ETFs/FoFs offer the best balance of convenience, cost, and liquidity.

Ready to Invest?

Explore Digital Silver or Silver ETF/Fund of Fund for a hassle-free way to invest in silver. With strong industrial demand and a favorable gold-silver ratio, now could be an ideal time to add silver to your portfolio.

By leveraging digital platforms and ETFs, you can capitalize on silver’s growth potential without the hassles of physical ownership. Start investing smartly today! 🚀

📈 Disclaimer: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please consult a financial advisor before investing.