The National Savings Schemes (NSSs) are among the most popular saving options in India, administered by the Ministry of Finance. Known for their safety and attractive returns, these schemes have long been a preferred choice for conservative investors.
They also play a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion, particularly in remote or rural areas, as they are primarily operated through the extensive network of Post Offices across the country.
Indian households’ investments in Post Office Time Deposits and the Public Provident Fund (PPF) have shown consistent growth since 2011. The table below provides an overview of the total outstanding balances across various small savings schemes.
Some of the very popular schemes which fall under Small Savings Schemes are as below;
- PPF (Public Provident Fund)
- Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme
- Monthly Income Scheme (Monthly Income Account)
- Senior Citizen Savings Scheme
- KVP (Kisan Vikas Patra)
- NSC (National Savings Certificate)
- Time Deposits &
- Recurring Deposits
Latest Post Office Small Saving Schemes Interest rates April – June 2026
The Government of India announced the interest rates for small savings schemes for the April to June 2026 quarter today, March 30, 2026.
The Ministry of Finance has decided to keep the interest rates unchanged for all saving schemes, despite expectations of a potential cut due to recent RBI repo rate reductions throughout 2025. This marks the eighth consecutive quarter where rates for key schemes like PPF have remained steady.
| Scheme | Interest Rate (Apr-Jun2026) | Compounding Frequency | Maximum Deposit (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Provident Fund (PPF) | 7.1% | Annual | 1.5 Lakh |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSY) | 8.2% | Annual | 1.5 Lakh |
| Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) | 8.2% | Quarterly & Paid | 30 Lakh (w.e.f. FY 2023-24) |
| National Savings Certificate (NSC) | 7.7% | Annual (Paid at maturity) | No Limit |
| Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) | 7.5% (Matures in 115 months) | Annual | No Limit |
| Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) | 7.4% | Monthly & Paid | 9.5 Lakh Single A/c 15 Lakh Joint A/c |
| 5-Year Recurring Deposit (RD) | 6.7% | Quarterly | No Limit |
| Post Office Savings Account | 4.0% | Annual | No Limit |
Note : Most of these schemes (specifically PPF, SSY, and the 5-year Time Deposit) continue to offer tax benefits under the Old Tax Regime. The revised rates (if any) are applicable for all the new investments MADE during the respective period. For the existing investments under all the schemes (EXCEPT PPF & SUKANYA SAMRIDDHI SCHEME), the contracted interest rate remains unchanged until maturity. The revised rates (if any) are applicable for all the new investments MADE during the respective period.
Continue reading:
- Do Small Savings Schemes Interest Rates Change Every Quarter? Fixed vs Variable Explained
- Best safe low risk govt backed investment options 2026
(Post first published on : 30-March-2026)
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