पोस्ट ऑफिस बचत योजनाएं भारत 2026 — पूरी गाइड (सभी 9 योजनाएं)
India Post offers some of the safest savings and investment options in India — all backed by the sovereign guarantee of the Government of India. From monthly income to long-term savings, girl child education to senior citizen income, there's a post office scheme for every need. This guide covers all 9 schemes with current interest rates, eligibility, and tax benefits.
All Post Office Schemes at a Glance (April 2026)
| Scheme | Interest Rate | Tenure | Min Investment | 80C Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post Office Savings Account | 4.0% | Ongoing | ₹500 | No |
| Recurring Deposit (RD) | 6.7% | 5 years | ₹100/month | No |
| Time Deposit (TD) — 1 yr | 6.9% | 1 year | ₹1,000 | Only 5-yr TD |
| Time Deposit (TD) — 2 yr | 7.0% | 2 years | ₹1,000 | Only 5-yr TD |
| Time Deposit (TD) — 3 yr | 7.1% | 3 years | ₹1,000 | Only 5-yr TD |
| Time Deposit (TD) — 5 yr | 7.5% | 5 years | ₹1,000 | Yes (₹1.5L) |
| Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) | 7.4% | 5 years | ₹1,000 | No |
| National Savings Certificate (NSC) | 7.7% | 5 years | ₹1,000 | Yes (₹1.5L) |
| Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) | 7.5% | ~115 months | ₹1,000 | No |
| Public Provident Fund (PPF) | 7.1% | 15 years | ₹500/year | Yes (₹1.5L) |
| Sukanya Samriddhi (SSY) | 8.2% | 21 years | ₹250/year | Yes (₹1.5L) |
| Senior Citizens SS (SCSS) | 8.2% | 5 years | ₹1,000 | Yes (₹1.5L) |
National Savings Certificate (NSC)
NSC is one of the most popular tax-saving instruments with a 5-year lock-in. Interest compounds annually but is paid at maturity.
- Interest rate: 7.7% (compounded annually, paid at maturity)
- Minimum: ₹1,000 | Maximum: No limit
- Lock-in: 5 years (no premature withdrawal except death/court order)
- Tax benefit: Investment up to ₹1.5 lakh qualifies under Section 80C
- Interest taxation: Interest is deemed reinvested and qualifies for 80C deduction each year (except the final year)
- Who should invest: Conservative investors looking for 80C benefits with guaranteed returns
Monthly Income Scheme (MIS)
MIS is ideal for retirees and those who want regular monthly income from a lump sum investment.
- Interest rate: 7.4% p.a. (paid monthly)
- Minimum: ₹1,000 | Maximum: ₹9 lakh (single), ₹15 lakh (joint)
- Tenure: 5 years
- Monthly income example: ₹9 lakh investment = ₹5,550/month (₹66,600/year)
- Premature withdrawal: After 1 year with 2% penalty; after 3 years with 1% penalty
- 80C benefit: No
- Interest taxation: Taxable at slab rate
Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)
KVP doubles your money in approximately 115 months (~9 years 7 months) at the current rate of 7.5%.
- Interest rate: 7.5% (compounded annually)
- Doubles in: ~115 months (9 years 7 months)
- Minimum: ₹1,000 | Maximum: No limit
- Lock-in: 2.5 years (premature encashment after 2.5 years)
- 80C benefit: No
- Best for: Medium-term savings with no upper limit, better rates than bank FDs
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
The highest-earning government scheme (tied with SCSS at 8.2%), designed for the girl child's education and marriage.
- Interest rate: 8.2% (compounded annually, tax-free)
- Eligibility: Girl child below 10 years (max 2 accounts for 2 daughters)
- Minimum: ₹250/year | Maximum: ₹1.5 lakh/year
- Deposits: For first 15 years; account matures at girl's age 21
- Partial withdrawal: 50% after girl turns 18 (for education)
- Tax status: EEE — investment (80C), interest, and maturity all tax-free
Read more about SSY in our Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana guide.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is India's most popular long-term, tax-free savings instrument. It enjoys EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) status — investment, interest, and maturity are all tax-free.
- Interest rate: 7.1% (compounded annually, tax-free)
- Tenure: 15 years (extendable in 5-year blocks)
- Minimum: ₹500/year | Maximum: ₹1.5 lakh/year
- 80C benefit: Yes (up to ₹1.5 lakh)
- Partial withdrawal: After 7th year (up to 50% of balance)
- Loan facility: 3rd to 6th year
Use our PPF कैलकुलेटर to see how much your PPF can grow over 15-25 years. For a comparison with ELSS and NPS, read ELSS vs PPF vs NPS.
Post Office Time Deposit (TD) vs Bank FD
| Feature | Post Office TD | Bank FD |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Sovereign guarantee (full) | DICGC insured (₹5L only) |
| Interest rate (5-yr) | 7.5% | 6.5-7.5% (varies by bank) |
| 80C benefit | Only 5-year TD | Only 5-year FD |
| Premature withdrawal | After 6 months (penalty) | After 3-6 months (penalty) |
| Interest payout | Annual | Monthly/quarterly/annual |
| Online access | DOP Internet Banking | Full digital banking |
When to choose Post Office TD: When you want sovereign guarantee for amounts above ₹5 lakh (bank DICGC covers only ₹5L). For amounts below ₹5L, bank FDs may offer better rates and convenience. See our FD rates comparison.
Which Scheme is Best for You?
- Monthly income for retirees: MIS (₹5,550/month on ₹9L) + SCSS (₹6,150/quarter on ₹30L)
- Tax saving under 80C: PPF (tax-free returns, 15-yr), NSC (7.7%, 5-yr), or 5-yr TD
- Girl child education: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (8.2%, EEE status)
- Senior citizens: SCSS (8.2%, quarterly payout, 80C)
- Double your money: KVP (doubles in ~9.5 years at 7.5%)
- Short-term (1-3 years): Post Office Time Deposits (6.9-7.1%)
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न
Which post office scheme gives the highest interest rate?
SCSS and SSY both offer the highest rate at 8.2%. SCSS is for senior citizens (60+), SSY is for girl children below 10 years. For general investors, NSC offers 7.7% and KVP offers 7.5%.
Are post office schemes safe?
Yes, all India Post schemes carry sovereign guarantee — backed by the Government of India. Unlike bank FDs where only ₹5 lakh is DICGC insured, post office deposits have full government backing regardless of amount.
Can I open post office accounts online?
PPF, SSY, RD, and TD can be opened online through DOP Internet Banking or IPPB app. SCSS, NSC, and KVP typically require a post office visit with PAN, Aadhaar, and photographs.