Post Office Savings Account
The Post Office Savings Account offers 4% per year from October-December 2026. Minimum balance required is ₹500 and there is no maximum limit of balance. Under Section 80TTA, interest earned on savings accounts can be deducted up to ₹10,000 for eligible people. As per Section 80TTB, senior citizens can claim up to ₹50,000 with certain conditions.
Post office time deposits
Post Office Time Deposits come in 1 year, 2 year, 3 year and 5 year terms with a minimum investment of ₹1,000 and no maximum limit. The 1-year, 2-year, 3-year and 5-years deposits offer 6.9%, 7.0%, 7.1% and 7.5% a year, respectively, for the period October-December 2026. Interest is paid annually and calculated quarterly. The interest is subject to tax, and the 5-year Time Deposit is tax-exempt under the provisions of Section 80C, depending on the conditions.
Post Office Recurring Deposit
The interest rate of the five year recurring deposit is 6.7% per annum with the interest compounded on a quarterly basis. Investors need to make a minimum monthly investment of ₹100 with no maximum investment amount. Interest income is taxable and the RD will not be eligible for Section 80C benefit.
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme.
Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) is offered at 7.4% per annum for October-December 2026 with monthly interest payments. The investment period of the scheme is 5 years and the minimum investment amount is ₹1,000. The maximum investment amount for a single account holder is ₹9 lakh and for joint account holders is ₹15 lakh. The monthly interest received will be treated as income and the investment will not be entitled for Section 80C benefits.
National Savings Certificate (NSC)
The National Savings Certificate (NSC) comes with a 5-year maturity and has an annual interest rate of 7.7% for the period from October-December 2026. The minimum investment is ₹1000 and has no maximum limit. Interest is compounded once a year and due at maturity. The investment is eligible for a deduction of up to a max of ₹1.5 lakh as per Section 80C conditions. The interest earned is taxable, except in the final year, but the interest earned annually is usually eligible for tax deduction in the form of reinvestment deduction under Section 80C.
Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)
The Kisan Vikas Patra offers 7.5% per annum for October-December 2026. Investment amount is a minimum of ₹1000 with no maximum limit. At the current rate, the investment doubles in 115 months (9 years and 7 months). The scheme has a lock-in period of 2.5 years, after which premature withdrawal is allowed subject to the applicable rules. Not eligible for Section 80C deduction and interest will be taxable.
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Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS)
The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) provides 8.2% p.a. for deposits from October-December 2026 and the interest is credited quarterly. The scheme will run for a period of 5 years with the option of further extension for 3 years. The minimum investment requirement is ₹1,000 with a maximum investment of ₹30 lakh. Investments up to ₹1.5 lakh could be eligible for a 80C deduction, depending on the conditions. Interest received is subject to tax.
Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSY)
Interest earned in Sukanya Samriddhi Account is 8.2% per annum compounded annually at the end of October – December 2026. Can be opened by the girl child, on an annual basis of minimum ₹250 and a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh. This account comes to an end after 21 years from opening. Contributions of up to ₹1.5 lakh are eligible for Section 80C benefit. Interest earned and maturity amount also is tax-exempt.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Public Provident Fund (PPF) provides interest rates of 7.1% per annum with interest compounded annually, for the October-December 2026 period. It lasts for 15 years (extensions available in 5-year increments). The minimum and maximum limit of investment per financial year is ₹500 and ₹1.5 lakh respectively. The contribution till ₹1.5 lakh is eligible for Section 123 of Income Tax Act, 2025. Interest earned and maturity proceeds not subject to tax (applicable conditions).
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate
The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate was a small-savings scheme that paid 7.5% per annum compounded quarterly for two years. Maximum investment limit for women and girls is ₹2 lakh and a part withdrawal can be made after one year. The scheme was open for investment as of 31 March 2025. Current accounts are maintained as per the terms applicable.
Conclusion
Post Office small-savings schemes have a range of different combinations of interest rates, tenures, liquidity and tax advantages. Investors have the option of selecting short-term deposits, regular-income schemes, or long-term savings products depending on their financial needs and tax considerations for the period of October-December, 2026.