Can a Private Company issue debentures to public?
Robert Miller
Updated on February 27, 2026
Yes, a Private Company can issue bonds/debenture under the Companies Act 2013. A Private Company can do private placement and also listing the same in BSE or NSE under the debt segment after complying with the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
Can debentures be issued to public?
A company can issue Debentures to the Public with an option to convert such debentures into shares, either wholly or partly at the time of redemption which must be approved by conducting a general meeting. A Company cannot issue debentures carrying any voting rights.
Can Private Company issue securities?
From the definition of securities it is clear that the private companies can issue the securities and can have members and shareholders, but their shares cannot be traded on public exchanges. Private company shares are not issued through an initial public offering (IPO).
What is a debenture security?
Debentures are an instrument available to business lenders in the UK, allowing them to secure loans against borrowers’ assets. Put simply, a debenture is the document that grants lenders a charge over a borrower’s assets, giving them a means of collecting debt if the borrower defaults.
Can private company list their debentures?
“Private Company” means a company which by its articles restricts the right to transfer its shares; limits the number of its members to two hundred and prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company. …
Can any company issue debentures?
Corporations and governments can issue debentures. Governments typically issue long-term bonds—those with maturities of longer than 10 years. Considered low-risk investments, these government bonds have the backing of the government issuer. Corporations also use debentures as long-term loans.
Why do companies have debentures?
It gives the lender security over the borrower’s assets. Typically, a debenture is used by a bank, factoring company or invoice discounter to take security for their loans. A director who has advanced or lent money into their own company could take a debenture to secure the loan.
What type of shares can a private company issue?
In case of private company either it can issue shares to its existing shareholders by way of rights issue or by way of giving them bonus shares or it can issue securities through private placements. PRIVATE PLACEMENT – Part II of Chapter III, Section 42 of the Act.
How many owners does a private company have?
All companies must have at least one (1) shareholder. There are no limits on the number of shareholders of a public company. A private company, however, can only have fifty (50) shareholders.
Can a private company issue a Debenture bond?
Yes, a Private Company can issue bonds/debenture under the Companies Act 2013. There are regulations with respect to maintain asset cover, credit score rating, debenture redemption reserve, hold liquid assets for current maturities, etc.
How are debentures secured in the issue process?
(2) Issue of debentures shall be secured by the creation of a charge on the properties/assets of the company/ its subsidiaries/ its holding company/ its associates companies, having a value which is sufficient for the due repayment of the amount of debentures and interest thereon
What is a debenture in the Companies Act of 2013?
Section 2 (30) of the Companies Act, 2013 defines “debenture” to include 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.
Can a public company issue fully convertible debentures?
According to the said provision, a public company may issue securities to public through prospectus (i.e. Initial Public Offer/Further Public Offer) or through private placement [ i] or through rights issue [ ii] or bonus issue [ iii]. In addition to this, a public company can also issue ESOPs or debentures [ iv].