Investment is an important part of personal financial planning. Individuals in India can choose from several avenues, including gold, bank fixed deposits, equities, mutual funds, government securities and real estate. Each avenue differs in risk, return potential, liquidity, cost, tax treatment and suitability for different financial goals. Gold has traditionally held a special place in Indian households because of cultural significance, perceived safety and its role as a store of value. However, gold does not generate regular income and its market price can fluctuate. This study compares gold investment with selected investment avenues in India from the perspective of risk, return, liquidity, accessibility, income generation and investor suitability. The study is designed as a descriptive and comparative study using secondary information and a proposed questionnaire for primary research. Since no verified survey responses have been supplied, any sample analysis tables included in this report are clearly labelled illustrative and should not be represented as actual field results. The study concludes that no single investment avenue is ideal for every investor. A balanced portfolio based on goals, time horizon, risk tolerance and diversification is generally more appropriate than relying entirely on one asset.

Vaibhavi Sureshrao Lokhande, Prof. Ujjwala Markhade, "A Comparative Study of Gold Investment and Other Investment Avenues in India" International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, V9(5): Page(1827-1834) September - October 2026. ISSN: 2581-7175. www.ijsred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.