Post office and small savings schemes remain a safe, government-backed way to grow money with fixed returns — and for the July–September 2026 quarter, rates are unchanged, with Sukanya Samriddhi and the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme leading at 8.2%. Here are the latest rates, what each scheme suits, and how to open one.
| PPF | 7.1% p.a. (15-year, EEE tax-free) |
| Sukanya Samriddhi (SSY) | 8.2% p.a. (girl child) |
| Senior Citizen (SCSS) | 8.2% p.a. (age 60+) |
| NSC | 7.7% p.a. (5-year) |
| KVP | 7.5% (doubles in ~115 months) |
| POMIS | 7.4% p.a. (monthly income) |
| Rates for | 1 Jul – 30 Sep 2026 (unchanged) |
Which scheme suits you?
- PPF (7.1%): long-term, fully tax-free (EEE) retirement/education corpus — 15-year lock-in, ₹500 to ₹1.5 lakh a year.
- SSY (8.2%): best for a girl child’s future; highest rate with EEE tax benefit.
- SCSS (8.2%): for those 60+, regular income with quarterly interest; 5-year term.
- NSC (7.7%): 5-year fixed deposit with 80C tax benefit.
- KVP (7.5%): money roughly doubles in about 115 months.
- POMIS (7.4%): monthly interest payout for steady income.
How rates are set
The Finance Ministry reviews small-savings rates every quarter. For July–September 2026 the government kept all rates unchanged — the ninth straight quarter with no change — so the numbers above apply until the next revision.
How to open an account
- Visit your post office or an authorised bank.
- Fill the scheme form and submit KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, photo).
- Make the minimum deposit to activate; many schemes also allow online deposits later.
Frequently asked questions
Are these schemes safe?
Yes — they are backed by the Government of India with guaranteed returns.
Which gives tax-free returns?
PPF and SSY are EEE (fully tax-free); NSC and SCSS give 80C deduction but interest is taxable.
Information last verified: 17 July 2026. Scheme rules, rates and amounts can change — always confirm the latest details on the official portal before acting.