Categories: EPF and PPFInvestment Planning

Latest Post Office Interest Rates 2026 – Small Savings Schemes

Latest Post Office Interest Rates for Small Savings Schemes Jan–Mar 2026. See current PPF, NSC, SCSS & Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana rates.

India’s Post Office Interest Rates continue to be a preferred choice for conservative investors seeking safe, government-backed returns. The Small Savings Schemes are designed to cater to different investment horizons — from short-term fixed deposits to long-term retirement planning. This article provides the latest Post Office rates, detailed insights into each scheme, comparisons with other investment options, historical trends, tax benefits, and tips for maximizing returns.

Every quarter, the Government of India reviews and announces the interest rates of Post Office Small Savings Schemes (Post Office Savings Schemes -Changes effective from 1st, April 2016). These schemes are widely popular among small and conservative investors, mainly because they are backed by the Government of India, making them one of the safest avenues for investment.

Latest Post Office Interest Rates for Small Savings Schemes Jan–Mar 2026 | Small Savings Schemes

For this fourth quarter (January to March 2026) of financial year, the government has chosen to maintain the status quo.

Sl No.	Scheme Name	Current Interest Rate
1	Savings Account	4.00%
2	1-Year Term Deposit (FD)	6.90%
3	2-Year Term Deposit (FD)	7.00%
4	3-Year Term Deposit (FD)	7.10%
5	5-Year Term Deposit (FD)	7.50%
6	Recurring Deposit (5 Yrs)	6.70%
7	National Savings Certificate (NSC)	7.70%
8	Monthly Income Scheme (MIS)	7.40%
9	Public Provident Fund (PPF)	7.10%
10	Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)	8.20%
11	Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)	7.50% (doubles in 115 months)
12	Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)	8.20%

What does this mean for investors?

Senior Citizens – The SCSS remains one of the best options with 8.20% guaranteed returns, much higher than regular bank FDs.
Parents of Girl Children – The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) at 8.20% continues to be the most rewarding scheme for long-term savings.
Long-term Investors – PPF at 7.10% remains attractive for its tax-free interest and EEE status (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt).
Safe Conservative Investors – NSC and Post Office FDs continue to be good alternatives to bank deposits with government safety.

FAQs – Post Office Interest Rates Jan – March 2026

1. What is the latest PPF interest rate for Jan to March 2026?
The PPF rate remains 7.10% per annum.

2. What is the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) rate in Jan to March 2026?
SCSS continues at 8.20% per annum.

3. How long will Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) take to double in Jan to March 2026?
At 7.50%, KVP doubles in 115 months (9 years 7 months).

4. Which Post Office scheme offers the highest return in Jan to March 2026?
Both SCSS and SSY offer 8.20%, the highest among all schemes.

Historical Trend of Post Office Interest Rates (2023 – 2026)

To understand how interest rates have moved in the recent past, here’s a summary of quarterly Post Office Small Savings Scheme rates.

Quarter	PPF	SSY	SCSS	NSC	KVP	5-Year FD	RD (5-Year)	MIS
Jan – March 2026	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Oct–Dec 2025	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Jul–Sep 2025	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Apr–Jun 2025	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Jan–Mar 2025	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Oct–Dec 2024	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Jul–Sep 2024	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Apr–Jun 2024	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Jan–Mar 2024	7.10%	8.20%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Oct–Dec 2023	7.10%	8.00%	8.00%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.70%	7.40%
Jul–Sep 2023	7.10%	8.00%	8.20%	7.70%	7.50%	7.50%	6.50%	7.40%

From this table, it’s clear that interest rates have remained stable for almost two years, with only minor tweaks to KVP maturity periods and SSY/SCSS adjustments in 2023.

Features of Post Office Savings Schemes

Now let us glance at the Post Office Small Savings Schemes features. This will give you more clarity in choosing the right product for you.

# Post Office Savings Account

Like Bank Account, Post Office also offers you the savings account to its customers. The few features are as below.

Minimum Rs.500 is required to open the account.
Account can be opened single, jointly, Minor (above 10 years of age), or a guardian on behalf of a minor.
Minimum balance to be maintained in an account is INR 500/- , if balance Rs. 500 not maintained, a maintenance fee of one hundred (100) rupees shall be deducted from the account on the last working day of each financial year and after deduction of the account maintenance fee, if the balance in the account becomes nil, the account shall stand automatically closed.
Cheque facility/ATM facility are available
Interest earned is Tax-Free up to INR 10,000/- per year from the financial year 2012-13
Account can be transferred from one post office to another
One account can be opened in one post office.
At least one transaction of deposit or withdrawal in three financial years is necessary to keep the account active, else account became silent (Dorment).
Intra Operable Netbanking/Mobile Banking facility is available.
Online Fund transfer between Post Office Savings Accounts/Stop Cheque/Transaction View facility is available through Intra Operable Netbanking/Mobile Banking.
The facility to link with IPPB Saving Account is available.
Funds Transfer (Sweep in/Sweep out) facility is available with IPPB Saving Account.

# Post Office Fixed Deposits (FDs)

Minimum of Rs.1,000 and in multiples of Rs.100. There is no maximum limit.
FD tenure currently available is 1 yr, 2 Yrs, 3 Yrs and 5 Yrs.
Account can be opened single, jointly, Minor (above 10 years of age) or a guardian on behalf of minor.
Account can be opened by cash /Cheque and in case of Cheque the date of realization of cheque in Govt. account shall be date of opening of account.
Account can be transferred from one post office to another
Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa .
Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office.
Interest shall be payable annually, No additional interest shall be payable on the amount of interest that has become due for payment but not withdrawn by the account holder.
The annual interest may be credited to the savings account of the account holder at his option.
Premature encashment not allowed before expiry of 6 month, If closed between 6 month to 12 month from date of Opening, Post Office Saving Accounts interest rate will be payable.
5 Yrs FD is eligible for tax saving purposes under Sec.80C.

# Post Office Recurring Deposit (RD)

Minimum is Rs.100 a month and in multiple of Rs.10. There is no maximum limit.
Account can be opened single, jointly, Minor (above 10 years of age) or a guardian on behalf of minor.
Tenure of RD is 5 years.
Account can be opened by cash / Cheque and in case of Cheque the date of deposit shall be date of clearance of Cheque.
Premature closure is allowed after three years from the date of opening of the account.
Account can be transferred from one Post Office to another Post Office.
Subsequent deposit can be made up to 15th day of next month if account is opened up to 15th of a calendar month and up to last working day of next month if account is opened between 16th day and last working day of a calendar month.
If a subsequent deposit is not made up to the prescribed day, a default fee is charged for each default, default fee @ 1 Rs for every 100 rupee shall be charged. After 4 regular defaults, the account becomes discontinued and can be revived in two months but if the same is not revived within this period, no further deposit can be made.
If in any RD account, there is a monthly default amount, the depositor has to first pay the defaulted monthly deposit with default fee and then pay the current month deposit.
There is rebate on advance deposit of at least 6 installments, Rs. 10 for 6 month and Rs. 40 for 12 months Rebate will be paid for the denomination of Rs. 100.
One loan up to 50% of the balance allowed after one year. It may be repaid in one lumpsum along with interest at the prescribed rate at any time during the currency of the account.
Account can be extended for another 5 years after it’s maturity.

# Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (MIS)

Maximum investment is Rs.9 lakh in a single account and Rs.15 lakh jointly (It is revised during the Budget 2023). Earlier it was Rs.4.5 lakh for a single account and Rs.9 lakh for joint accounts.
Account can be opened single, jointly, Minor (above 10 years of age) or a guardian on behalf of minor.
Any number of accounts can be opened in any post office subject to maximum investment limit by adding balance in all accounts (Rs. 4.5 Lakh).
Single account can be converted into Joint and Vice Versa.
Maturity period is 5 years.
Interest can be drawn through auto credit into savings account standing at same post office,orECS./In case of MIS accounts standing at CBS Post offices, monthly interest can be credited into savings account standing at any CBS Post offices.
Can be prematurely en-cashed after one year but before 3 years at the discount of 2% of the deposit and after 3 years at the discount of 1% of the deposit. (Discount means deduction from the deposit.).
Interest shall be payable to the account holder on completion of a month from the date of deposit.
If the interest payable every month is not claimed by the account holder such interest shall not earn any additional interest.

# Post Office Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)

I have written a detailed post on this. Refer to the same at ” Post Office Senior Citizen Scheme (SCSS)-Benefits and Interest Rate“.

Note – Effective from 1st April 2023, the maximum limit is currently Rs.30 lakh. Earlier it was Rs.15 lakh. This change happened during Budget 2023.

# Public Provident Fund (PPF)

I have written various posts on PPF. Refer the same:-

# National Savings Certificate NSC (VIII Issue)

Minimum Rs.1,000 and in multiple of Rs.100.
No maximum limit.
Account can be opened single, jointly, Minor (above 10 years of age) or a guardian on behalf of minor.
Tax Benefit under Sec.80C is available.
Tenure is 5 years.

# Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) Account

Minimum Rs.1,000 and in multiples of Rs.100. There is no maximum limit.
Account can be opened single, jointly, Minor (above 10 years of age) or a guardian on behalf of minor.
The money will be double at maturity. However, as the interest rate changes on a quarterly basis. The maturity period also varies once in a quarter.

# Sukanya Samriddhi Account Yojana (SSY)

I have written various posts on this. Refer the same:-

Conclusion

The Post Office Small Savings Scheme interest rates for January to March 2025 remain unchanged from July–September 2025. This decision provides much-needed stability to investors, especially those who prefer safe, government-backed instruments over volatile market-linked options.

For investors, the key takeaway is: