Post Office Savings Schemes in India: Interest Rates, Eligibility, Investment Limits and Calculators Click here for all Post Office Saving SchemesPost Office Savings Schemes are small savings and investment schemes offered through India Post under the Government of India's small savings framework. These schemes cater to different financial requirements, including regular savings, recurring deposits, fixed-term investments, regular income, retirement planning, long-term wealth accumulation and savings for a girl child. India Post offers several small savings products, including the Post Office Savings Account, Recurring Deposit, Time Deposit, Monthly Income Scheme, Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, Public Provident Fund, National Savings Certificate, Kisan Vikas Patra and Sukanya Samriddhi Account. The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate was also introduced as a small savings product, although its subscription period has ended. The interest rates applicable to small savings schemes are notified by the Government of India and may be revised periodically. Therefore, investors should verify the latest applicable rate before opening an account or making an investment. Post Office Savings Schemes at a GlanceThe principal schemes and currently applicable rates are as follows: SchemeCurrent Interest RateMain Tenure/PeriodInvestment FeaturePost Office Savings Account4.0% p.a.No fixed maturitySavings accountNational Savings Recurring Deposit6.7% p.a.5 yearsMonthly depositsNational Savings Time Deposit6.9%–7.5% p.a.1, 2, 3 or 5 yearsLump-sum depositMonthly Income Scheme7.4% p.a.5 yearsMonthly interestSenior Citizens Savings Scheme8.2% p.a.5 yearsPeriodic interestPublic Provident Fund7.1% p.a.15 yearsLong-term savingsNational Savings Certificate7.7% p.a.5 yearsInterest accumulated to maturityKisan Vikas Patra7.5% p.a.115 monthsInvestment doublesSukanya Samriddhi Account8.2% p.a.Long-termGirl-child savingsMahila Samman Savings Certificate7.5%2 yearsClosed to new subscriptionsIndia Post currently lists these rates on its savings schemes information page. Post Office Saving Scheme Calculator 1. Post Office Savings AccountThe Post Office Savings Account is a basic savings facility offered through India Post. It can be used for maintaining savings and accessing other postal banking facilities. Key featuresInterest rate: 4% per annumMinimum deposit: ₹500Suitable for regular savingsCan be operated through eligible Post Office banking facilitiesNomination facility is availableInterest is calculated according to the applicable Post Office Savings Account rulesThe Post Office Savings Account is different from fixed-term schemes because there is no predetermined maturity period in the same way as a Time Deposit or NSC. 2. National Savings Recurring DepositThe National Savings Recurring Deposit, commonly called the Post Office RD, is designed for individuals who want to save a fixed amount regularly. The account encourages disciplined monthly saving rather than requiring a large lump-sum investment at the beginning. Key featuresInterest rate: 6.7% per annumInterest is compounded quarterlyStandard tenure: 5 yearsMinimum monthly deposit: ₹100Additional deposits can be made in multiples as prescribed under the scheme rulesIndia Post currently identifies the RD rate as 6.7% with quarterly compounding. Who may consider an RD?A recurring deposit may be useful for individuals who receive regular monthly income and want to create a savings corpus through periodic contributions. Examples include: Salaried employeesSelf-employed individualsSmall business ownersParents saving for future expensesIndividuals building an emergency or short-term financial corpus3. National Savings Time DepositThe National Savings Time Deposit is a fixed-term deposit available for different periods. Depositors can select a tenure according to their financial requirements. Available tenures1 year2 years3 years5 yearsThe interest rate differs according to the selected tenure. India Post currently lists rates ranging from 6.9% to 7.5%. The minimum investment is ₹1,000, and India Post's current information indicates no upper investment limit for Time Deposit accounts. Suitable forTime Deposits may be considered by individuals who: Have a lump sum available for investmentWant a defined investment periodPrefer a fixed-income savings productDo not require immediate access to the invested amount4. National Savings Monthly Income AccountThe Monthly Income Scheme, or MIS, is intended for investors who want periodic income from a lump-sum deposit. India Post currently lists an interest rate of 7.4% per annum, with interest payable monthly. Investment limitsThe minimum investment is ₹1,000. According to India Post information, the maximum investment is: ₹9 lakh for an individual account₹15 lakh for a joint accountExampleIf an investor deposits ₹5 lakh and the applicable annual interest rate is 7.4%, the annual interest at that rate would be: ₹5,00,000 × 7.4% = ₹37,000 The corresponding monthly interest would be approximately: ₹37,000 ÷ 12 = ₹3,083.33 The actual payment and account treatment are governed by the applicable scheme rules. A calculator can be used to estimate the monthly income for different deposit amounts. 5. Senior Citizens Savings SchemeThe Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) is designed primarily for eligible senior citizens and is intended to provide periodic income from savings. India Post currently lists an interest rate of 8.2% per annum. Key featuresInterest rate: 8.2% per annumStandard maturity period: 5 yearsMinimum investment: ₹1,000Maximum investment: ₹30 lakhThe scheme is particularly relevant for retirement planning because interest is paid periodically rather than simply accumulating until maturity. ExampleFor an investment of ₹10 lakh at 8.2%: Annual interest = ₹10,00,000 × 8.2% = ₹82,000 The quarterly amount would be approximately: ₹82,000 ÷ 4 = ₹20,500 The actual payment schedule and rules should be confirmed from the applicable SCSS provisions. 6. Public Provident FundThe Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a long-term savings scheme designed for individuals who want to build a corpus over an extended period. India Post currently lists the PPF interest rate at 7.1% per annum, compounded yearly. Key featuresInterest rate: 7.1% per annumMinimum annual investment: ₹500Maximum annual investment: ₹1.5 lakhStandard maturity period: 15 yearsInterest is compounded annuallyPPF is commonly used for long-term financial planning because of its long maturity period. PPF and long-term planningPPF may be considered for goals such as: Retirement planningLong-term wealth accumulationChildren's education planningBuilding a conservative long-term savings corpusPPF calculatorA PPF calculator can estimate the maturity value based on: Annual contributionExisting balanceApplicable interest rateInvestment durationAnnual contribution patternBecause PPF involves annual contributions and compounding over a long period, manual calculations can become complicated. A calculator can make the projection easier to understand. 7. National Savings CertificateNational Savings Certificate (NSC) is a fixed-income savings instrument available through India Post. India Post currently lists the NSC interest rate at 7.7% per annum. Key featuresInterest rate: 7.7% per annumStandard maturity: 5 yearsMinimum investment: ₹1,000No specified upper investment limitInterest is accumulated and paid at maturityNSC can be considered by investors who want a fixed-term savings instrument and do not require monthly income from their investment. 8. Kisan Vikas PatraKisan Vikas Patra (KVP) is a small savings scheme in which the investment grows until it reaches twice the original amount. India Post currently lists the KVP interest rate at 7.5% per annum and states that an investment doubles in 115 months, equivalent to 9 years and 7 months. Key featuresInterest rate: 7.5% per annumMinimum investment: ₹1,000No upper investment limitInvestment doubles in 115 months at the currently applicable rateKVP exampleIf an investor purchases KVP for ₹1,00,000 under the currently applicable terms, the investment is scheduled to become ₹2,00,000 at maturity after the specified period. The exact maturity period can change when the applicable interest rate is revised for new investments. 9. Sukanya Samriddhi AccountThe Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) is a long-term savings scheme designed for the benefit of a girl child. India Post currently lists an interest rate of 8.2% per annum, calculated annually and compounded yearly. Key featuresInterest rate: 8.2% per annumMinimum annual deposit: ₹250Maximum annual deposit: ₹1.5 lakhIntended for eligible girl childrenLong-term savings productThe account can be used as part of long-term financial planning for a girl's education and other eligible future needs. Sukanya Samriddhi calculatorA calculator can help parents estimate the potential corpus based on: Annual contributionAge of the girl childInvestment periodApplicable interest rateContribution patternBecause the scheme involves long-term compounding, even relatively small annual contributions can accumulate into a significant corpus over time. 10. Mahila Samman Savings CertificateThe Mahila Samman Savings Certificate was introduced as a savings product for women. The scheme had a two-year duration and a maximum investment limit of ₹2 lakh. India Post information lists a minimum deposit of ₹1,000 and confirms that the scheme is closed to new subscriptions. The scheme therefore remains relevant for understanding existing accounts but should not be presented as an option for new subscriptions. Post Office Savings Scheme Investment LimitsThe minimum and maximum investment amounts vary considerably between schemes. SchemeMinimum InvestmentMaximum InvestmentSavings Account₹500Subject to applicable rulesRD₹100 per monthAs permitted under rulesTime Deposit₹1,000No upper limitMIS₹1,000₹9 lakh individual / ₹15 lakh jointSCSS₹1,000₹30 lakhPPF₹500 per year₹1.5 lakh per yearNSC₹1,000No upper limitKVP₹1,000No upper limitSukanya Samriddhi₹250 per year₹1.5 lakh per yearMSSC₹1,000₹2 lakhThe figures above should be checked against the latest official scheme rules before investment because rules can be amended. Post Office Savings Scheme Interest CalculationDifferent schemes use different interest calculation methods. Annual compoundingPPF, KVP and Sukanya Samriddhi use annual compounding under their respective rules. India Post specifically identifies PPF, KVP and SSA with annual calculation/compounding. Quarterly compoundingRecurring Deposit and applicable Time Deposit calculations involve quarterly compounding. Periodic payoutMIS and SCSS are primarily designed around periodic interest payments rather than simply accumulating all interest until maturity. This difference is important when comparing two schemes with apparently similar interest rates. Post Office Savings CalculatorA Post Office Savings Calculator is an online tool that helps users estimate the financial outcome of an investment. Depending on the scheme, a calculator can estimate: Interest earnedMaturity valueMonthly incomeQuarterly incomeTotal investmentTotal interestInvestment growthKVP doubling datePPF maturity valueSukanya Samriddhi projected corpusNSC maturity amountRD maturity valueYour Commerce Insights resource provides separate calculators for all 10 schemes and also provides a comparison tool. How to Use a Post Office Savings CalculatorThe general process is: Step 1: Select the schemeChoose the relevant Post Office savings product. Step 2: Enter investment amountEnter either the lump-sum investment or recurring contribution, depending on the scheme. Step 3: Enter tenureWhere applicable, enter the investment period. Step 4: Apply the applicable interest rateUse the rate applicable to the relevant quarter and scheme. Step 5: CalculateThe calculator estimates the maturity amount, interest or periodic income. Step 6: CompareUsers can repeat the calculation for different schemes to understand how different investment structures affect the outcome. Why Scheme-Wise Calculators Are UsefulA single generic interest calculator is not sufficient for all Post Office schemes because the schemes have different rules. For example: RD involves recurring contributions.PPF involves annual contributions and long-term compounding.MIS provides periodic income.SCSS provides periodic interest to eligible senior citizens.KVP is designed around a specified doubling period.NSC accumulates interest until maturity.Sukanya Samriddhi is designed for long-term savings for a girl child.Therefore, a scheme-specific calculator can provide a more meaningful estimate. Post Office Schemes for Different Financial GoalsDifferent schemes may be relevant for different financial objectives. Financial GoalSchemes That May Be ConsideredBasic savingsPost Office Savings AccountRegular monthly savingRDFixed-term investmentTime DepositMonthly incomeMISRetirement incomeSCSSLong-term savingsPPFFixed-term corpusNSCInvestment doublingKVPGirl-child savingsSukanya SamriddhiExisting women's savings certificateMSSCThis table is only a general categorisation. The suitability of a scheme depends on the individual's financial circumstances, liquidity requirements, taxation and applicable rules. Tax ConsiderationsTax treatment differs across Post Office savings schemes. Investors should distinguish between: Tax treatment of the original investmentTax treatment of interestTax deduction eligibilityTax treatment at maturityTDS and reporting requirements, where applicableFor example, certain investments may qualify for deductions under applicable provisions of the Income-tax Act, while the interest treatment may differ. Tax rules can change through amendments to tax legislation. Therefore, investors should consult the current income-tax provisions or a qualified tax professional before making investment decisions. Premature Withdrawal and ClosureNot all Post Office schemes can be withdrawn before maturity under identical conditions. India Post provides different premature closure provisions for different schemes. For example, its published information states that: Savings Account can be closed at any time.RD has specific premature closure provisions after the prescribed period.Time Deposit has premature closure conditions.MIS has premature closure provisions after the specified period.PPF permits premature closure only under specified circumstances.Sukanya Samriddhi has specific withdrawal/closure provisions.NSC generally does not permit ordinary premature encashment except under specified circumstances.KVP has prescribed premature encashment conditions.Therefore, investors should check the exact rules applicable to their scheme before making a premature withdrawal. Documents Required for Opening a Post Office Savings AccountIndia Post states that customers may be required to submit documents such as: Account opening formKYC formPAN cardAadhaar cardPassportDriving licenceVoter IDOther accepted identity/address documentsProof of date of birth where requiredKYC documents of joint account holdersGuardian's KYC documents for minor accountsThe exact documentation depends on the account type and applicable KYC requirements. Nomination FacilityNomination is an important feature of Post Office savings accounts. India Post states that nomination is mandatory at the time of account opening and that nomination can be made for up to four individuals under its current procedures. Customers can also modify nomination details according to the prescribed procedure. Transfer of Post Office AccountsEligible Post Office savings accounts can be transferred between CBS Post Offices subject to the applicable procedure. India Post also provides for transfer of certain accounts such as PPF, Sukanya Samriddhi and SCSS between eligible banks and Post Offices under applicable rules. Online Banking FacilitiesIndia Post provides electronic banking and mobile banking facilities for eligible customers. Depending on the scheme and applicable service, customers may be able to: Open selected accountsDeposit moneyView transactionsAccess account informationMake eligible withdrawalsRepay loansManage certain Post Office savings servicesNot every scheme has identical online functionality, so users should check the current India Post facilities. Post Office Savings Schemes and Financial PlanningSmall savings schemes can be used for different stages of financial planning. Short-term planningTime Deposit products can be considered when the investor has a defined short-term or medium-term goal. Medium-term planningRD, MIS and NSC can be considered depending on whether the investor wants periodic saving, regular income or a maturity-oriented investment. Long-term planningPPF and Sukanya Samriddhi are designed for long-term savings. Retirement planningEligible individuals may consider SCSS as part of a retirement income strategy. Comparing Post Office SchemesWhen comparing schemes, investors should not look only at the interest rate. Important comparison factors include: Interest rateCompounding frequencyInvestment limitTenureLiquidityPremature withdrawal conditionsTax treatmentEligibilityIncome-payment frequencyPurpose of the investmentFor example, SCSS may have a high interest rate but is designed for eligible senior citizens, whereas PPF has a lower listed rate but is intended for long-term accumulation. Advantages of Using Post Office Savings CalculatorsA calculator can help users: Understand the effect of different investment amountsEstimate maturity valueCompare schemesCalculate expected periodic incomePlan recurring contributionsEstimate long-term corpusUnderstand the impact of compoundingCompare different investment periodsHowever, calculator outputs should be regarded as estimates rather than guarantees. Limitations of Online CalculatorsA calculator does not replace the official scheme rules. The calculated result may differ from the final amount if: The interest rate changesDeposits are made on different datesContributions are missedScheme rules are amendedPremature withdrawal occursTax or other applicable charges affect the final amountFor this reason, the latest official notification should always be checked before making an investment. Current Interest Rates and Government NotificationsSmall savings interest rates are periodically reviewed by the Government of India. The Department of Economic Affairs publishes notifications concerning revisions to small savings interest rates. For the second quarter of FY 2026–27, the Department of Economic Affairs issued the applicable interest-rate notification for the period beginning 1 July 2026. India Post also publishes the current rates and scheme information on its official savings schemes page. Consequently, users should avoid relying on an old interest-rate table when making a new investment. Who Can Benefit from Post Office Savings Schemes?Post Office savings products can be relevant to: Salaried employeesSelf-employed individualsSmall business ownersSenior citizensRetired personsParentsIndividuals saving for childrenWomen investorsLong-term saversConservative investorsIndividuals seeking regular incomePeople looking for government-backed small savings productsEligibility differs between schemes. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhich Post Office scheme currently has the highest listed interest rate?Among the major schemes listed by India Post, SCSS and Sukanya Samriddhi currently carry a listed rate of 8.2% per annum. Eligibility and scheme conditions differ between them. What is the current PPF interest rate?India Post currently lists the PPF interest rate at 7.1% per annum, compounded yearly. What is the current KVP interest rate?India Post currently lists KVP at 7.5% per annum and states that the investment doubles in 115 months. What is the maximum PPF investment?The maximum permitted annual PPF contribution is ₹1.5 lakh. What is the maximum SCSS investment?The current maximum investment limit for SCSS is ₹30 lakh. What is the maximum investment in MIS?The current maximum is ₹9 lakh for an individual account and ₹15 lakh for a joint account. What is the minimum investment in Sukanya Samriddhi?The minimum annual deposit is ₹250, while the maximum annual deposit is ₹1.5 lakh. Is Kisan Vikas Patra still available?Yes. India Post currently lists KVP as an active small savings scheme with a 7.5% interest rate and a doubling period of 115 months under the currently applicable rate. Can I calculate Post Office maturity value online?Yes. Online calculators can estimate maturity values for schemes such as RD, Time Deposit, PPF, NSC, KVP and Sukanya Samriddhi, while MIS and SCSS calculators can estimate periodic income. Are Post Office calculators official government calculators?Not necessarily. An online calculator may be independently developed using the rules and rates published by the Government. Users should verify the result against the latest official scheme rules. Important DisclaimerPost Office savings interest rates, investment limits, eligibility conditions, taxation provisions and withdrawal rules may be revised by the Government of India from time to time. The information provided in an educational article or calculator is intended for general informational purposes. Investors should verify the latest information from India Post, the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, or the relevant official notification before making an investment. A calculator provides an estimate and should not be treated as a guarantee of investment returns. ConclusionPost Office Savings Schemes provide a broad range of savings and investment options for individuals with different financial objectives. From basic savings accounts and recurring deposits to long-term instruments such as PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi, the schemes provide different combinations of tenure, interest, liquidity and income-generation features. Understanding the differences between these schemes is important before selecting an investment. A Post Office Savings Calculator can further simplify financial planning by helping users estimate maturity values, interest earnings and periodic income. Because small savings interest rates and scheme rules are periodically reviewed, the latest Government of India and India Post notifications should always be treated as the authoritative source before making an investment decision.