Post Office Small Savings Interest Rates Jan–Mar 2026: PPF, SSY, SCSS, NSC, KVP, MIS & RD Complete Details

📊 Complete Small Savings Schemes Chart — Jan–Mar 2026

Scheme Interest Interest/Payout Tenure / Maturity Who can invest? Main purpose

PPF – Public Provident Fund 7.1% Annual compounding 15 years Individuals Long-term wealth + retirement

SSY – Sukanya Samriddhi 8.2% Annual compounding 21 years from opening Girl child below 10 Daughter's education/marriage

SCSS – Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 8.2% Quarterly payout 5 years Generally 60+ Regular retirement income

NSC – National Savings Certificate 7.7% Paid at maturity 5 years Individuals Fixed-return tax-saving investment

KVP – Kisan Vikas Patra 7.5% Annual compounding 115 months (9 years 7 months) Individuals Long-term safe savings

MIS – Monthly Income Scheme 7.4% Monthly payout 5 years Individuals Regular monthly income

5-Year RD – Recurring Deposit 6.7% Quarterly compounding 5 years Individuals Monthly/regular saving

Post Office Savings Account 4.0% Annual No fixed maturity Individuals Normal savings/liquidity

India Post currently lists these rates for these schemes, including PPF 7.1%, SSY 8.2%, SCSS 8.2%, NSC 7.7%, KVP 7.5%, MIS 7.4%, RD 6.7% and Savings Account 4%. 

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1. 🏦 PPF – Public Provident Fund

Interest: 7.1% per year

Tenure: 15 years

Minimum deposit: ₹500/year

Maximum: ₹1.5 lakh/year

Can deposit monthly or in installments.

Interest is compounded annually.

Partial withdrawal is permitted subject to PPF rules.

Loan facility is available from the specified period.

Can be extended after 15 years.

Tax benefit: Contributions qualify for Section 80C, subject to the applicable tax rules.

Interest and maturity proceeds are generally tax-exempt under the PPF tax treatment. 

Example

If you invest ₹1,50,000 every year for 15 years, your total contribution is:

₹22,50,000

The actual maturity amount depends on the applicable PPF rates and timing of deposits. Because the rate is revised periodically, don't assume today's 7.1% will remain unchanged for the entire 15 years.

Best for: Long-term wealth creation, retirement and conservative investors.

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2. 👧 Sukanya Samriddhi Account – SSY

Interest: 8.2% per year

This is specifically for a girl child below 10 years of age at the time of opening. 

Minimum deposit: ₹250/year

Maximum: ₹1.5 lakh/year

Deposits are required for 15 years from opening.

Account matures after 21 years from opening.

Interest is compounded annually.

Up to 50% withdrawal can be permitted for education after the prescribed eligibility conditions are met.

Tax benefits are available under Section 80C, subject to tax rules. 

Example

If ₹1.5 lakh is deposited every year for 15 years, total deposits = ₹22.5 lakh.

Because of compound interest, the maturity amount can be substantially higher, but the eventual amount depends on future notified interest rates.

Best for: Children's long-term education/marriage planning.

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3. 👴 SCSS – Senior Citizens Savings Scheme

Interest: 8.2% per year

One of the most attractive options in the chart for senior citizens seeking regular income.

Generally available to people 60 years and above.

Certain retired civilian employees aged 55–60 can qualify subject to conditions.

Maximum investment: ₹30 lakh

Tenure: 5 years

Interest is paid quarterly.

Can be extended subject to applicable rules. 

Example: ₹10 lakh investment

8.2% × ₹10,00,000 = ₹82,000/year

Quarterly interest:

₹82,000 ÷ 4 = ₹20,500 every quarter

₹30 lakh investment

Annual interest = ₹2,46,000

Quarterly interest = ₹61,500

Important: SCSS interest is taxable according to the applicable income-tax rules.

Best for: Retired people who want predictable quarterly income.

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4. 📜 NSC – National Savings Certificate

Interest: 7.7% per year

Tenure: 5 years

Minimum investment: generally ₹1,000

No stated maximum investment limit.

Interest accumulates and is paid at maturity.

Suitable for conservative investors.

Investment can provide tax benefits under Section 80C subject to applicable rules.

The accrued/reinvested interest has specific tax treatment; don't assume all NSC interest is tax-free.

Example

If you invest ₹1,00,000, at a constant 7.7% rate for five years, the maturity would be roughly ₹1.45 lakh.

The actual official maturity calculation should be used for an exact certificate value.

Best for: 5-year fixed-income investment and tax planning.

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5. 🌾 KVP – Kisan Vikas Patra

Interest: 7.5% per year

Minimum investment: ₹1,000

No maximum investment limit specified.

Interest is compounded annually.

Investment doubles in 115 months, i.e. 9 years 7 months, at the applicable rate.

Government-backed small savings product. 

Example

₹1,00,000 → approximately ₹2,00,000 at maturity

₹5,00,000 → approximately ₹10,00,000

Best for: People looking for a simple long-term fixed-return investment without market risk.

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6. 💰 Post Office MIS – Monthly Income Scheme

Interest: 7.4% per year

This is particularly useful if you want monthly income.

Interest paid monthly.

Tenure: 5 years

Minimum investment: ₹1,000

Maximum:

Single account: ₹9 lakh

Joint account: ₹15 lakh

Principal is returned at maturity, subject to scheme rules.

Example: ₹9 lakh

Annual interest:

₹9,00,000 × 7.4% = ₹66,600

Monthly income:

₹66,600 ÷ 12 = ₹5,550/month

₹15 lakh joint account

Annual interest = ₹1,11,000

Monthly income = ₹9,250/month

India Post confirms that MIS interest can be credited to a savings account, including through ECS facilities. 

Best for: Retired people or anyone wanting regular monthly cash flow.

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7. 🐷 5-Year Post Office RD

Interest: 6.7% per year

Tenure: 5 years

Designed for regular monthly deposits.

Minimum deposit: ₹100

Interest is compounded quarterly.

Useful for disciplined saving.

For example, if you deposit ₹5,000 every month, you contribute:

₹5,000 × 60 = ₹3,00,000

The maturity amount will be higher because of interest and quarterly compounding.

Best for: People who want to save a fixed amount every month rather than invest a lump sum.

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8. 🐷 Post Office Savings Account

Interest: 4% per year

This is similar to a basic savings account.

Minimum balance: ₹500

No fixed maturity period.

Money is relatively liquid.

Interest rate: 4%.

Not intended primarily for long-term wealth creation.

India Post currently lists the savings-account rate at 4%. 

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🏆 Which one is best?

Your requirement Suitable scheme

👧 Daughter's future SSY – 8.2%

👴 Senior citizen regular income SCSS – 8.2%

🏦 Long-term tax-efficient savings PPF – 7.1%

📜 5-year investment NSC – 7.7%

💰 Monthly income MIS – 7.4%

🌾 Want money to double KVP – 7.5%

🐷 Monthly disciplined saving RD – 6.7%

💳 Short-term/liquid savings Post Office SB – 4%

⭐ Simple ranking by interest rate

1. SSY – 8.2%

2. SCSS – 8.2%

3. NSC – 7.7%

4. KVP – 7.5%

5. MIS – 7.4%

6. PPF – 7.1%

7. RD – 6.7%

8. Savings Account – 4%

One important point: the highest interest rate does not automatically mean the best investment. Eligibility, lock-in period, taxation, liquidity and whether you need monthly income all matter.

If you tell me an amount such as ₹1 lakh, ₹5 lakh, ₹10 lakh or ₹20 lakh, I can make a complete comparison showing investment → yearly interest → monthly income → maturity amount → tax treatment for all these schemes.