Q.Collect information about the companies that have issued debentures in recent years. Give suggestions to make debentures more popular.

This is a research-and-recommendation activity, so the expected answer describes how to gather genuine information on recent debenture issues and what real measures would help, rather than stating a single fixed fact.

How to collect the information (a model approach)

• Where to look: business newspapers and financial dailies, company annual reports and prospectuses, stock-exchange and SEBI disclosure pages, and reputable financial-news websites.
• What to record for each company: name and industry, issue amount, rate of interest, maturity/tenure, credit rating (and the rating agency, e.g. CRISIL), and the type of debenture — secured/unsecured, convertible/non-convertible, redeemable, or zero-interest.
• Organise it in a simple table so patterns (typical rates, ratings, tenures) become visible.

Suggestions to make debentures more popular — remember debentures are fixed-interest loan capital whose appeal rests on safety, return and liquidity:

• Attractive, competitive interest rate: offer a return that beats comparable safe instruments so cautious, income-seeking investors are drawn in.
• Strong credit rating: get the issue rated by a reputed agency; a good rating signals debt-servicing capacity and low risk and builds investor confidence.
• Security: issue secured debentures that create a clear charge on assets, so holders feel their money is protected.
• Added features: offer convertible debentures (convertible into equity later) or innovative forms such as zero-interest / deep-discount debentures, where the gain is the difference between face value and a lower purchase price.
• Assured, timely servicing: guarantee prompt payment of interest and redemption on the due date, even in difficult years, to protect trust.
• Liquidity: ensure the debentures are listed and easily transferable so investors can exit when they wish.
• Investor awareness: communicate the company's stable earnings record, since debentures suit firms with steady sales and profits.