🏛 Public Provident Fund (PPF)
⭐ 7.1% p.a.
📅 15 Years
💰 ₹500 – ₹1.5L/yr
✅ Sec 80C
PPF is one of the most popular long-term savings schemes in India, offering tax-free returns under the EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) category.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 7.1% p.a. (compounded annually)
- Tenure: 15 years (extendable in blocks of 5 years)
- Min deposit: ₹500/year | Max deposit: ₹1,50,000/year
- Tax benefit under Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh)
- Maturity amount is completely tax-free (EEE status)
- Partial withdrawal allowed after 7 years
- Loan facility available from year 3 to year 6
Eligibility
- Any Indian citizen can open a PPF account
- Minor account allowed (below 18, operated by guardian)
- One account per person
- NRI not eligible
🌱 Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
⭐ 8.2% p.a.
📅 21 Years
💰 ₹250 – ₹1.5L/yr
👧 Girl Child
A government-backed savings scheme for the girl child, offering the highest interest rate among small savings schemes.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 8.2% p.a. (highest among all small savings)
- Tenure: 21 years from account opening
- Min deposit: ₹250/year | Max deposit: ₹1,50,000/year
- Account can be opened for girl child below 10 years
- Deposits allowed for 15 years from opening
- Partial withdrawal allowed after girl turns 18 (up to 50% of balance)
- Maturity amount is completely tax-free
Eligibility
- Girl child below 10 years of age at the time of opening
- Maximum 2 accounts per family (exceptions for twins/triplets)
- Guardian opens and operates the account
📜 National Savings Certificate (NSC)
⭐ 7.7% p.a.
📅 5 Years
💰 Min ₹1,000
✅ Sec 80C
A safe, government-backed fixed-income investment with tax benefits under Section 80C.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 7.7% p.a. (compounded annually, payable at maturity)
- Tenure: 5 years (NSC VIII Issue)
- Min deposit: ₹1,000 | No maximum limit
- Tax benefit under Section 80C
- No TDS on interest
- Nomination facility available
🌾 Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)
⭐ 7.5% p.a.
📅 ~115 Months
💰 Min ₹1,000
💰 Doubles Money
A savings certificate that doubles your investment over its tenure — ideal for long-term goal planning.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 7.5% p.a. (compounded annually)
- Money doubles in approximately 115 months (~9.5 years)
- Min deposit: ₹1,000 | No maximum limit
- No tax benefit under Section 80C
- Nomination and transfer facilities available
- KVP can be encashed after 2.5 years
💸 Monthly Income Scheme (MIS)
⭐ 7.4% p.a.
📅 5 Years
💰 Min ₹1,500
💰 Monthly Payout
A scheme that provides guaranteed monthly income — perfect for retirees and those seeking regular cash flow.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 7.4% p.a. (paid monthly)
- Tenure: 5 years
- Min deposit: ₹1,500 | Max: ₹9 lakh (single) / ₹15 lakh (joint)
- Monthly income credited directly to your account
- Principal returned at maturity
- No tax benefit under Section 80C
📅 Recurring Deposit (RD)
⭐ 6.7% p.a.
📅 5 Years
💰 Min ₹100/mo
Build savings systematically with small monthly deposits and earn interest compounded quarterly.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 6.7% p.a. (compounded quarterly)
- Tenure: 5 years (extendable)
- Min deposit: ₹100/month | No maximum limit
- Missed installment attracts a small default fee
- After 6 months, default allows up to 2 missed payments to be paid
- Loan facility available up to 50% of balance
🔒 Post Office Time Deposit (TD / FD)
⭐ 6.9–7.5% p.a.
📅 1–5 Years
💰 Min ₹1,000
✅ 5Y TD Sec 80C
Flexible fixed deposit options with tenures from 1 to 5 years. The 5-Year TD qualifies for Section 80C tax benefit.
Interest Rates by Tenure
- 1 Year: 6.9% p.a.
- 2 Years: 7.0% p.a.
- 3 Years: 7.1% p.a.
- 5 Years: 7.5% p.a. (✅ Sec 80C eligible)
Key Features
- Min deposit: ₹1,000 | No maximum limit
- Interest compounded annually, payable at maturity
- Can be extended for the same period on maturity
- 5-Year TD qualifies for Section 80C deduction
👴 Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS)
⭐ 8.2% p.a.
📅 5 Years
💰 Max ₹30 Lakh
💰 Quarterly Interest
A high-interest savings scheme exclusively for senior citizens, offering quarterly interest payouts.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 8.2% p.a. (paid quarterly)
- Tenure: 5 years (extendable by 3 more years)
- Min deposit: ₹1,000 | Max: ₹30 lakh
- Age: 60 years and above (55+ for retired military/civil servants)
- Tax benefit under Section 80C
- Premature closure allowed after 1 year with penalty
🏦 Savings Bank Account (SB)
⭐ 4.0% p.a.
💰 Liquid
💳 Debit Card
A basic savings account with liquidity, ATM card access, and deposit insurance up to ₹5 lakh.
Key Features
- Interest rate: 4.0% p.a.
- Min balance: ₹500 (zero balance accounts also available)
- Free ATM/debit card
- Deposit insurance up to ₹5 lakh (DICGC)
- Net banking and mobile banking available
