| LIST I : Basis of debenture |
LIST II : Types of debenture |
| A) Tenure |
II) Irreedemable |
| B) Interest rate point of view |
I) Zero coupon rate |
| C) Security |
IV) Secured |
| D) Bearer |
III) Registration |
A company may issue different kinds of debentures which can be classified as under:
1) From the Point of view of Tenure:
(a) Redeemable Debentures: Redeemable debentures are those which are payable on the expiry of the specific period either in a lump sum or in Instalments during the life time of the company. Debentures can be redeemed either at par or at a premium.
(b) Irredeemable Debentures: Irredeemable debentures are also known as Perpetual Debentures because the company does not give any undertaking for the repayment of money borrowed by issuing such debentures. These debentures are repayable on the winding-up of a company or on the expiry of a long period.
2) From Coupon (Interest) Rate Point of view:
(a) Specific Coupon Rate Debentures: These debentures are issued with a specified rate of interest, which is called the coupon rate. The specified rate may either be fixed or floating. The floating interest rate is usually tagged with the bank rate.
(b) Zero Coupon Rate Debentures: These debentures do not carry a specific rate of interest. In order to compensate the investors, such debentures are issued at a substantial discount and the difference between the nominal value and the issue price is treated as the amount of interest related to the duration of the debentures.
3) From the Point of view of Security:
(a) Secured Debentures: Secured debentures refer to those debentures where a charge is created on the assets of the company for the purpose of payment in case of default. The charge may be fixed or floating. A fixed charge is created on a specific asset whereas a floating charge is on the general assets of the company. The fixed charge is created against those assets which are held by a company for use in operations not meant for sale whereas a floating charge involves all assets excluding those assigned to the secured creditors.
(b) Unsecured Debentures: Unsecured debentures do not have a specific charge on the assets of the company. However, a floating charge may be created on these debentures by default. Normally, these kinds of debentures are not issued.
4) From the view Point of Registration:
(a) Registered Debentures: Registered debentures are those debentures in respect of which all details including names, addresses and particulars of holding of the debenture holders are entered in a register kept by the company. Such debentures can be transferred only by executing a regular transfer deed.
(b) Bearer Debentures: Bearer debentures are the debentures that can be transferred by way of delivery and the company does not keep any record of the debentures Interest on debentures is paid to a person who produces the interest coupon attached to such debentures. | 
