🏛️ Government Schemes

Post Office Savings Schemes 2026 — Complete Guide, Interest Rates and Benefits

By FinMandi TeamMay 2026✓ Updated May 2026

👨‍💼

Reviewed by FinMandi Research Team

Backed by 10+ years of banking experience · Verified May 2026

✓ RBI Sources ✓ Bank Verified ✓ May 2026

⚡ All Post Office Scheme Rates 2026

NSC (National Savings Certificate): 7.7% — 5-year lock-in, 80C benefit
KVP (Kisan Vikas Patra): 7.5% — doubles money in 9 years 7 months
PPF (Public Provident Fund): 7.1% — 15-year lock-in, EEE tax status
MIS (Monthly Income Scheme): 7.4% — monthly income, max Rs 9 lakh
SCSS: 8.2% — for senior citizens, max Rs 30 lakh
POTD (Post Office Time Deposit): 6.9% to 7.5% — 1 to 5 years
RD (Recurring Deposit): 6.7% — monthly savings scheme

Complete Post Office Scheme Comparison 2026

Scheme	Rate	Tenure	Max Amount	Tax Benefit
SCSS	8.2%	5 years	Rs 30 lakh	80C — interest taxable
Sukanya Samriddhi	8.2%	21 years	Rs 1.5L/year	EEE (fully exempt)
Mahila Samman	7.5%	2 years	Rs 2 lakh	Interest exempt
NSC	7.7%	5 years	No limit	80C — interest reinvested
KVP	7.5%	9 yr 7 mo	No limit	No 80C — interest taxable
MIS	7.4%	5 years	Rs 9 lakh (single)	No 80C — interest taxable
POTD (5-year)	7.5%	1-5 years	No limit	80C (5-year only)
PPF	7.1%	15 years	Rs 1.5L/year	EEE (fully exempt)
RD	6.7%	5 years	No limit	No benefit — taxable

Which Post Office Scheme is Best for You?

Senior citizens (60+): SCSS at 8.2% — maximum Rs 30 lakh, quarterly income
Girl child parents: Sukanya Samriddhi at 8.2% — tax-free, long-term
Women (any age): Mahila Samman at 7.5% — short 2-year, tax-free
Want 80C + guaranteed return: NSC at 7.7% — 5-year, annual interest reinvested qualifies for 80C
Want to double money safely: KVP at 7.5% — doubles in 9 years 7 months
Need monthly income: MIS at 7.4% — Rs 9 lakh max, monthly payout
Long-term tax-free: PPF at 7.1% — 15 years, completely EEE

💡 Post Office schemes have one of the most powerful safety features in India — they are backed by the Sovereign Guarantee of the Government of India. Unlike bank FDs (DICGC covers only Rs 5 lakh per bank), Post Office schemes have UNLIMITED government guarantee. Your entire investment is safe regardless of amount.

Also read: All Government Schemes · SCSS Complete Guide · Best FD Rates 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) gives monthly income at 7.4% p.a. Maximum investment is Rs 9 lakh for single account and Rs 15 lakh for joint account. On Rs 9 lakh investment at 7.4%, you get Rs 5,550 per month for 5 years. At maturity you get back the principal Rs 9 lakh. Interest is taxable as per your slab rate.

No — despite the name, Kisan Vikas Patra is available for all Indian citizens, not just farmers. Any adult individual (or two adults jointly) can invest in KVP. It doubles your money at the current rate of 7.5% in 9 years and 7 months. Minimum investment is Rs 1,000 with no maximum limit. PAN is mandatory for investments above Rs 50,000.

NSC: 7.7% for 5 years, interest reinvested (qualifies for 80C), fixed 5-year maturity. KVP: 7.5% and doubles money in 9 years 7 months, no 80C benefit, can be encashed after 2.5 years with penalty. NSC is better for tax-saving as interest reinvested each year qualifies for 80C deduction. KVP is better if you want to simply double your money without tax planning.

📋 Sources & Methodology

Data sourced from: RBI official website · Official bank websites · SEBI · IRDAI · Ministry of Finance press releases. Rates and data verified by FinMandi Research Team. Last verified: May 2026. FinMandi does not accept payment to rank any bank or product.

Disclaimer: All scheme details are as per official government sources updated May 2026. Eligibility and benefits may change. Always verify at official government portals before applying.