Where it helps most
Use T-bills when you want sovereign backing for short-term cash.
- Short-term parking for cash you will need soon
- Safety bucket inside a larger portfolio
- Defined-term cash management
Government route
Treasury bills / short-duration paper
Short-term government paper is often used for safety and short-duration parking when investors want sovereign backing and cleaner liquidity.
Overview
How Treasury bills fit in a safety plan
Treasury bills are short-term government securities designed for stability and liquidity. They are a parking place for cash, not a long-term growth engine.
What to watch for
Low risk does not mean high return. Yields move with rates.
- Yields adjust with policy rates
- Price can move if you sell before maturity
- Not meant for long-term compounding
Simple rule: match the bill maturity to the date you need the cash.
Country picks
Access Treasury bills by country
Select your country to see the official access route and typical maturities.
Choose Market
Country: India
Retail access in India
Retail investors can access government securities via RBI’s Retail Direct platform.
Open RBI Retail Direct
Common India T-bill tenors
- 91 days
- 182 days
- 364 days
These are the standard Treasury bill tenors issued in India.
Retail access in the USA
TreasuryDirect is the official portal for buying U.S. Treasury bills.
Open TreasuryDirect
Common U.S. T-bill terms
- 4, 8, 13, 17, 26, and 52 weeks
Choose the term that matches when you need the cash back.