(a) On 1st April, 2024, Bright Ltd. issued 20,000, 11% debentures of ₹ 100 each at a premium of 10%, redeemabl

Question

Q. (a) On 1st April, 2024, Bright Ltd. issued 20,000, 11% debentures of ₹ 100 each at a premium of 10%, redeemable at a premium of 10%. Loss on issue of debentures was : (A) ₹ 2,00,000 (B) ₹ 4,00,000 (C) ₹ 20,00,000 (D) ₹ 40,00,000

(OR)

(b) Minimum subscription for allotment of shares as per Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) guidelines cannot be less than 90% of _________ capital. (A) Reserve (B) Issued (C) Nominal/Registered (D) Subscribed

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2025MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★

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Part (a)Concept understanding — Premium on Redemption

Let’s start with something you already know from everyday life. Suppose you borrow ₹1,000 from a friend and promise to pay it back after one year. But when the year ends, you don’t just return ₹1,000 — you also pay an extra ₹50 as a “thank you” for the favour. That extra ₹50 is like a premium — an amount above the face value.

Now replace your friend with a company, and the loan with a redeemable preference share or a debenture. When a company issues these, it promises to repay the holder at a future date. Sometimes, the company agrees to repay more than the face value — say, a ₹100 share is repaid at ₹110. That extra ₹10 is the premium on redemption.

Why does a company offer a premium on redemption?

It’s not generosity. A company offers a premium to make its shares or debentures more attractive to investors. If the market interest rate is high, investors won’t buy a low-coupon debenture unless they know they’ll get a bonus at redemption. The premium is the sweetener.

From the company’s side, this premium is a cost — an extra outflow of cash when the instrument is redeemed. And like any cost, it must be accounted for properly.

The accounting treatment — the core rule

The premium on redemption is not a loss that hits the Profit & Loss account directly. Instead, it is adjusted against the company’s reserves and surplus — specifically, the Securities Premium Reserve (if available) or the General Reserve / Retained Earnings.

Here’s the precise journal entry when the premium is paid at the time of redemption:

Journal Entry for Premium on Redemption Payable Date Particulars Dr. (₹) Cr. (₹) Securities Premium Reserve A/c \dots Dr. xxx General Reserve A/c \dots Dr. (if needed) xxx To Premium on Redemption of Debentures/Preference Shares A/c xxx (Being the premium payable on redemption provided for)

Then, when the actual payment is made:

| | Premium on Redemption of Debentures/Preference Shares A/c … Dr. | xxx | |

| | To Bank A/c | | xxx |

| | (Being the premium paid to debenture/shareholders) | | |

Which account is debited and which is credited — the logic

Debit the reserve account (Securities Premium Reserve first, then General Reserve, then any other free reserve). Why? Because the company is using its accumulated profits (reserves) to meet this extra cost — it’s not a business expense like salary or rent.
Credit a temporary liability account called “Premium on Redemption of … A/c”. This shows that the company owes this premium to the holders. Later, when paid, that liability is cleared by crediting Bank.

Watch out

Never debit the Profit & Loss Account for premium on redemption. The NCERT textbook is clear: premium on redemption is a capital loss (or a distribution of accumulated profits), not a revenue expense. Doing otherwise would understate the year’s profit.

Where does this appear in the financial statements?

In the Balance Sheet, before redemption, the “Premium on Redemption of … A/c” appears under Current Liabilities (or as a separate item under Non-Current Liabilities if the redemption is due after one year). After payment, it disappears. …

Part (b)Concept understanding — Minimum Subscription

Let’s start with something you already know from everyday life.

Imagine you and two friends decide to start a small business — say, a tiffin service. You agree that each of you will contribute ₹5,000. But one friend says, “I’ll pay my ₹5,000 only after we’ve already started cooking.” That creates a problem: you need the money before you buy ingredients. If too many people delay their payments, you might not have enough cash to begin at all.

In the world of companies, the same logic applies. When a company invites the public to buy its shares, it cannot start using that money until it is sure that a minimum amount has actually been collected. That minimum amount is called the Minimum Subscription.

What the NCERT textbook says

According to the Companies Act, 2013 (and as stated in your NCERT Class 12 Accountancy textbook), Minimum Subscription is the minimum amount that a company must receive from the public before it can proceed with the allotment of shares. If this amount is not received, the company cannot allot any shares, and the entire application money must be refunded.

The law fixes this minimum at 90% of the issued amount (the total value of shares offered to the public). For example, if a company issues shares worth ₹10,00,000, it must receive at least ₹9,00,000 as application money before it can allot shares.

Important

Minimum Subscription = 90% of the amount issued to the public.

If not met → no allotment → full refund to applicants.

Why does this matter?

Three reasons:

Protects the company – It ensures the company has enough working capital to start operations. If only 40% of the public subscribes, the company would be undercapitalised.
Protects the investors – If the company fails to raise the minimum, investors get their money back. They are not stuck with shares in a company that cannot even begin business.
Legal compliance – The Companies Act makes it mandatory. Non-compliance can lead to penalties.

Accounting treatment — what gets debited and credited

When the company receives application money, it records it as a liability (because it owes the shares to the applicants). The journal entry is:

On receiving application money:

Debit: Bank Account (with the total amount received)
Credit: Share Application Account (with the same amount)

Now, if the total application money received is less than 90% of the issued amount, the company cannot allot shares. It must refund the entire amount. The entry then is:

On refund:

Debit: Share Application Account (with the total amount received)
Credit: Bank Account (with the same amount)

If the minimum subscription is met (i.e., 90% or more is received), the company proceeds to allotment. The Share Application Account is then transferred to the Share Capital Account (for the amount due on application) and any excess application money is adjusted against allotment or refunded.

Note

The Share Application Account is a temporary account. It is closed once allotment is made or money is refunded.

Where does this appear in the final accounts?

Minimum Subscription itself is not a separate line item in the Balance Sheet or Profit & Loss Account. It is a condition that must be satisfied before allotment. However, the Share Capital shown in the Balance Sheet is only recorded after allotment — and allotment happens only if minimum subscription is met.

In the Notes to Accounts (under Share Capital), the company discloses the number of shares applied for, allotted, and the amount received. But the textbook does not prescribe a separate proforma for Minimum Subscription. The relevant format is the Share Capital schedule in the Balance Sheet. …

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Part (a): (A) ₹2,00,000. Part (b): (B) Issued.

Part (a)

When debentures are redeemable at a premium, the premium payable on redemption is a definite future liability recognised at issue as Loss on Issue of Debentures. Here premium on redemption = 10% of face value = 20,000 × ₹10 = ₹2,00,000. The 10% premium received on issue is a separate credit to Securities Premium Reserve — it is not subtracted from the loss. …

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Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

Showing the 12 most recent of 38 on this concept.

CBSE 2026Set 67/3/11 markMCQ
$Q. Nigam Ltd. issued 40,000, 11% Debentures of ₹ 100 each at a certain rate of discount. The debentures were to be redeemed at 20% premium. Existing balance of Securities Premium before issue of these debentures was ₹ 13,00,000. After writing off 'Loss on issue of debentures', the balance in Securities Premium was ₹ 3,00,000. The above debentures were issued at a discount of : (A) 20% (B) 15% (C) 10% (D) 5%$
›Reveal solutionSolution
The debentures were issued at a discount of 5%.

When debentures are issued at a discount and/or are redeemable at a premium, the company incurs a capital loss. This loss is termed 'Loss on Issue of Debentures'. This account is a fictitious asset (or deferred revenue expenditure) and represents the total cost associated with issuing debentures below par and/or redeeming them above par. It is typically written off over the tenure of the debentures, usually against the Securities Premium Reserve or, if that is insufficient, against the Statement of Profit & Loss.

The 'Loss on Issue of Debentures' account comprises two main components:

Discount on Issue of Debentures: This is the difference between the face value of the debentures and the issue price when debentures are issued below par.

Premium on Redemption of Debentures: This is the additional amount payable over and above the face value when debentures are redeemed at a premium. This premium is a liability for the company and is recognised at the time of issue.

According to Section 52 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Securities Premium Reserve can be used for specific purposes, one of which is to write off the discount allowed on the issue of shares or debentures, or the premium payable on the redemption of any redeemable preference shares or debentures.

In this problem, we are given the opening and closing balances of the Securities Premium Reserve after writing off the 'Loss on Issue of Debentures'. This allows us to determine the total amount of 'Loss on Issue of Debentures' that was written off. Once we have this total loss and the premium on redemption, we can isolate the discount on issue and subsequently calculate the discount rate.

Derivation of the Answer

Calculate the total face value of debentures:

Number of Debentures $\times$ Face Value per Debenture

$40,000 \text{ debentures} \times ₹100/\text{debenture} = ₹40,00,000$

Calculate the Premium on Redemption:

The debentures are to be redeemed at a 20% premium. This premium is calculated on the face value.

Premium on Redemption = $20\%$ of $₹40,00,000 = ₹8,00,000$

Determine the 'Loss on Issue of Debentures' written off:

The Securities Premium balance decreased from ₹13,00,000 to ₹3,00,000 after writing off the 'Loss on Issue of Debentures'. The difference represents the amount of loss written off.

Loss on Issue of Debentures written off = Existing Securities Premium - Securities Premium after writing off loss

Loss on Issue of Debentures written off = $₹13,00,000 - ₹3,00,000 = ₹10,00,000$

Calculate the Discount on Issue of Debentures:

As established, the 'Loss on Issue of Debentures' comprises both the discount on issue and the premium on redemption.

Loss on Issue of Debentures = Discount on Issue + Premium on Redemption

$₹10,00,000 = \text{Discount on Issue} + ₹8,00,000$ …
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CBSE 2026Set 67/4/11 markMCQ
$Q. Amik Ltd. issued 70,000, 9% Debentures of ₹ 100 each at a premium of 5%, redeemable at a premium of 10%. 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account' will be debited in the books of Amik Ltd. by : (A) ₹ 10,50,000 (B) ₹ 7,00,000 (C) ₹ 3,50,000 (D) ₹ 6,30,000$
›Reveal solutionSolution
The 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account' will be debited by ₹ 7,00,000, representing the premium payable on redemption of debentures.

When a company issues debentures, it needs to account for all costs and potential losses associated with that issue at the time the debentures are issued. This practice aligns with the prudence principle (which dictates anticipating all future losses but not future profits) and the matching principle (which requires expenses to be recognized in the period they are incurred, even if the cash outflow happens later).

The 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account' is a nominal account (or a deferred revenue expenditure) created to record the total loss arising from the issue of debentures. This loss typically comprises two main components:

Discount on Issue of Debentures: If debentures are issued at a price lower than their face value, the difference is a discount, which represents a loss to the company.

Premium Payable on Redemption of Debentures: If debentures are to be redeemed at a price higher than their face value, the excess amount (premium) is a definite future liability and a loss that is certain to occur. This loss must be recognized upfront at the time of issue.

In this question, Amik Ltd. issues debentures at a premium of 5%. This premium received on issue is a capital gain for the company and is credited to 'Securities Premium Reserve Account'. It is not a loss and therefore does not contribute to the 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account'.

The only component contributing to the 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account' in this scenario is the premium payable on redemption. This premium represents a future obligation that reduces the net proceeds from the debenture issue over their lifetime. Therefore, it is treated as a loss at the time of issue.

The journal entry to record this loss involves:

Debiting 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account': To recognize the total loss (discount on issue + premium on redemption).

Crediting 'Premium on Redemption of Debentures Account': To record the liability for the premium that will be paid at the time of redemption.

Working Notes

Total Face Value of Debentures:

Number of Debentures $\times$ Face Value per Debenture

$70,000 \times ₹ 100 = ₹ 70,00,000$

Premium on Issue of Debentures:

$5\%$ of Face Value per Debenture $\times$ Number of Debentures

$5\%$ of $₹ 100 = ₹ 5$ per debenture

$₹ 5 \times 70,000 = ₹ 3,50,000$

(This amount is credited to Securities Premium Reserve Account and does not contribute to 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account'.)

Premium on Redemption of Debentures:

$10\%$ of Face Value per Debenture $\times$ Number of Debentures

$10\%$ of $₹ 100 = ₹ 10$ per debenture

$₹ 10 \times 70,000 = ₹ 7,00,000$

(This amount represents a future loss and is debited to 'Loss on Issue of Debentures Account'.)

Amount to be Debited to Loss on Issue of Debentures Account:

This account is debited with the total loss incurred at the time of issue. Since there is no discount on issue (rather, a premium is received), the only loss component is the premium payable on redemption. …
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CBSE 2026Set 67/5/11 markMCQ
$Q. On 1st April, 2024, DD Ltd. issued 2,000, 9% Debentures of ₹ 50 each at a premium of 5%, redeemable at a premium of ₹ 10 per debenture after five years. Interest on the debentures was to be paid on half-yearly basis on 30th September and 31st March. Interest on the debentures for the year ended 31st March, 2025 will be : (A) ₹ 4,500 (B) ₹ 9,000 (C) ₹ 9,450 (D) ₹ 4,725$
›Reveal solutionSolution

The interest on debentures for the year ended 31st March, 2025 is ₹9,000, calculated on the face value of the debentures at the stated coupon rate, irrespective of the issue price or redemption premium.

Concept First: Why Interest is Calculated on Face Value

The key principle here is that interest on debentures is always calculated on the face value (nominal value) of the debentures, not on the issue price (which may include a premium) or the redemption value. The 9% coupon rate is applied to the ₹50 face value per debenture.

The premium on issue (₹5 per debenture) and the premium on redemption (₹10 per debenture) are capital items. They affect the company's securities premium account and the loss on issue of debentures account, respectively — but they have no bearing on the interest calculation. Interest is a charge against profit, paid to debenture holders as compensation for the use of their funds, and that compensation is contractually fixed on the face value.

Watch out

Common Pitfall

Students often mistakenly calculate interest on the issue price (₹55) or the redemption price (₹60). This is incorrect. The coupon rate is always applied to the face value (₹50) unless the question explicitly states otherwise. The premium on issue is a capital receipt, not income for the debenture holder in the context of interest.

Solution: Calculating the Interest

Step 1: Determine the total face value of debentures issued.

Number of debentures = 2,000

Face value per debenture = ₹50

Total face value = 2,000 × ₹50 = ₹1,00,000

Step 2: Apply the annual interest rate.

Annual interest rate = 9%

Annual interest = 9% of ₹1,00,000 = ₹9,000

Step 3: Verify the half-yearly payment (for understanding, though the question asks for the annual amount).

Half-yearly interest = ₹9,000 ÷ 2 = ₹4,500

This would be paid on 30th September 2024 and 31st March 2025.

Since the question asks for the interest for the year ended 31st March, 2025, it covers the full financial year from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. Both half-yearly payments fall within this period. …
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CBSE 2026Set MARCH1 mark
$Q. What do you mean by Redemption of debentures?$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Redemption of debentures is the repayment/discharge of debentures to the holders as per the terms of issue.

A debenture is a loan raised by a company that carries a fixed rate of interest and a promise to repay. Redemption is the process by which the company returns the debenture money to the debenture holders.

…

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 mark
$Q. What percentage of issued shares is required for minimum subscription according to SEBI?$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Minimum subscription as per SEBI guidelines is 90% of the issued shares/amount.

Minimum subscription is the minimum amount (expressed as a percentage of the total issue) that a company MUST receive in applications before it is legally permitted to make any allotment of shares. This rule protects investors from money being locked into a company that fails to raise adequate capital to start/run the proposed project.

As per SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) guidelines, a company must receive subscription for at least 90% of the issued amount (i.e., 90% of the shares offered to the public) before it proceeds with allotment.

…

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Loss on issue of Debentures is written off _______.$
(a) during the lifetime of the Debentures
(b) in the year of the issue of debentures
(c) within two years of the issue of debentures
(d) when debentures are redeemed
(a) during the lifetime of the Debentures
(b) in the year of the issue of debentures
(c) within two years of the issue of debentures
(d) when debentures are redeemed
›Reveal solutionSolution

Loss on issue of Debentures is written off during the lifetime of the Debentures (Option A).

'Loss on Issue of Debentures' typically arises when debentures are issued at a discount and/or are redeemable at a premium. This loss is in the nature of a capital loss, and the benefit of raising funds through the debentures is enjoyed by the company over the entire period the debentures are outstanding (i.e., till redemption). Following the matching principle, this loss is therefore written off gradually, usually in proportion to the balance of debentures outstanding, over the life of the debentur …

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 mark
$Q. Give the meaning of 'minimum subscription'.$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Minimum subscription is the floor amount a company must actually receive from applicants before it is legally allowed to allot any shares at all.

Minimum subscription refers to the minimum amount which, in the opinion of the company's directors, must be raised through the issue of shares in order to meet certain essential needs of the business, such as:

The purchase price of any property/assets to be acquired,

Preliminary expenses and underwriting commission,

Repayment of any money borrowed for the above purposes, and

Working capital requirements for the initial period of operation.

This figure must be disclosed in the company's prospectus (SEBI regulations typically require it to be at least 90% of the issue size for a public issue). If the company does not receive applications for at least this minimum amount within the prescribed time (usually 30 days of the issue closing, as per SEBI/Companies Act rules), it cannot proceed with the allotment of any shares at all — all application money received must be refunded in full to the applicants.

…
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CBSE 2025Set 67/5/11 markMCQ
$Q. On 1st April, 2023, Viya Ltd. issued 20,000, 10% debentures of ₹ 100 each at a premium of 10%. The total amount of interest on debentures for the year ended 31st March, 2024 will be : (A) ₹ 2,000 (B) ₹ 2,20,000 (C) ₹ 2,00,000 (D) ₹ 20,000$
(OR)
$Radhya Ltd. issued 5,000, 9% debentures of ₹ 100 each at ₹ 97 per debenture. The 9% debentures account will be credited by : (A) ₹ 4,85,000 (B) ₹ 5,00,000 (C) ₹ 4,50,000 (D) ₹ 50,000$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Part (a): Interest = 20,000 × ₹100 × 10% = ₹2,00,000 — option (C).

Part (b): 9% Debentures A/c credited at face value 5,000 × ₹100 = ₹5,00,000 — option (B).

Part (a)

Interest on debentures is a fixed return on the nominal (face) value, independent of whether they were issued at par, premium or discount. For Viya Ltd.: 20,000 × ₹100 × 10% = ₹2,00,000 for the year. Calculating on the ₹110 issue price (giving ₹2,20,000) is the classic trap. …
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CBSE 2025Set MARCH1 markMCQ
$Q. Before the company decides to redeem the debentures out of profit, the company has to transfer ______ % of total face value of issued debentures to debenture redemption reserve account.$
(a) 10
(b) 25
(c) 100
(d) 15
›Reveal solutionSolution

A Debenture Redemption Reserve of at least 25% of the face value of issued debentures must be created before redemption out of profits. Correct option: (b) 25.

In GSEB Class-12 Commerce Accountancy (Issue and Redemption of Debentures):

…

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CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Deep Ltd. issued 10,00,000, 7% debentures of Rs. 100 each at a discount of 4%, redeemable after 5 years at a premium of 6%. Loss on the issue of debenture is (A) Rs. 10,00,000 (B) Rs. 6,00,000 (C) Rs. 4,00,000 (D) None of these$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Loss on issue of debentures = discount on issue + premium payable on redemption. For 10,00,000 debentures of Rs 100 issued at 4% discount and redeemable at 6% premium, that is Rs 40,00,000 + Rs 60,00,000 = Rs 1,00,00,000 — not equal to any figure in (A)/(B)/(C) — so the answer is (D) None of these.

When debentures are issued at a discount and are also redeemable at a premium, the total Loss on Issue of Debentures combines both:

Discount allowed on issue (an upfront loss)

Premium payable on redemption (a future loss provided for at issue)

Working (BSEB Inter / Bihar Class-12 Accountancy):

Particulars Computation Amount (Rs)
Number of debentures given 10,00,000
Face value per debenture given 100
Discount on issue @ 4% 10,00,000 x 100 x 4% 40,00,000
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CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. When debentures are issued at par and are redeemable at a premium, the loss on such an issue is debited to (A) Profit & Loss Statement (B) Debenture Application & Allotment A/c (C) Loss on Issue of Debenture A/c (D) Premium on Redemption A/c$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Issuing debentures at par but redeemable at a premium creates a future loss (the redemption premium), which is recognised at issue by debiting the Loss on Issue of Debentures A/c. Hence the answer is (C).

For Bihar Class-12 (BSEB Inter) commerce candidates, the entry at the time of issue (par issue, redeemable at premium) is:

Bank A/c Dr. (amount received at par)

Loss on Issue of Debentures A/c Dr. (premium payable on redemption)

To Debentures A/c (face value)

To Premium on Redemption of Debentures A/c (premium payable) …
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CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Premium on redemption of debenture is a (A) Personal A/c (B) Real A/c (C) Nominal A/c (D) Suspense A/c$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Premium on Redemption of Debentures represents an amount payable to debenture holders, so the account is a Personal account — option (A).

When debentures are to be redeemed at a premium, the company undertakes to pay more than the face value on repayment. The 'Premium on Redemption of Debentures account' records this extra amount owed to the debenture holders. Since it represents a sum payable to persons, it is a Personal (representative personal / liability) account, and is shown as a liability until paid.

(B) Real A/c is WRONG — real accounts record tangible/intangible assets, not amounts owed to persons. …
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Particulars	Dr. (₹)	Cr. (₹)
Securities Premium Reserve A/c … Dr.	xxx
General Reserve A/c … Dr. (if needed)	xxx
To Premium on Redemption of Debentures/Preference Shares A/c		xxx
(Being the premium payable on redemption provided for)

Particulars	Computation	Amount (Rs)
Number of debentures	given	10,00,000
Face value per debenture	given	100
Discount on issue @ 4%	10,00,000 x 100 x 4%	40,00,000

Q.(a) On 1st April, 2024, Bright Ltd. issued 20,000, 11% debentures of ₹ 100 each at a premium of 10%, redeemable at a premium of 10%. Loss on issue of debentures was : (A) ₹ 2,00,000 (B) ₹ 4,00,000 (C) ₹ 20,00,000 (D) ₹ 40,00,000

Part (a)

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