Rates for October to December 2026
| Scheme | Rate | Deposit counts for 80C (old regime) | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPF | 7.1% | Yes | Tax-free |
| Sukanya Samriddhi (SSY) | 8.2% | Yes | Tax-free |
| Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme (SCSS) | 8.2%, paid quarterly | Yes | Taxable |
| National Savings Certificate (NSC) | 7.7% | Yes | Taxable |
| Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) | 7.5%, doubles in 115 months | No | Taxable |
| Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) | 7.4%, paid monthly | No | Taxable |
| Post office RD, 5 years | 6.7% | No | Taxable |
The government reviews these rates every quarter. EPF, set yearly by EPFO, is 8.25% for FY 2025-26.
Which are really tax-free
Only PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi are tax-free on the way in (80C, old regime), on the interest and at maturity. The interest and maturity amount stay tax-free under the new regime too.
EPF is close: your contribution counts for 80C in the old regime, and interest and withdrawals are tax-free after 5 years of service, except interest on your contributions above ₹2.5 lakh a year.
NSC and SCSS give an 80C deduction on the deposit, but the interest is taxed at your slab rate. NSC interest for years 1 to 4 counts as reinvested, so it also counts for 80C.
Under the new regime
There's no 80C, so choose a scheme for its rate, safety and lock-in, not for a deduction. PPF and SSY interest is still tax-free.
Bank interest: 80TTA and 80TTB
In the old regime, people under 60 can deduct up to ₹10,000 of savings account interest (80TTA). Residents aged 60 or more can deduct up to ₹50,000 of interest from savings accounts, FDs and RDs with banks and post offices (80TTB). Neither is available under the new regime.
TDS on deposits
Banks deduct 10% TDS when the interest they pay you in a year is over ₹50,000, or ₹1 lakh if you're 60 or older. If the tax on your total income is nil, Form 15G (15H for seniors) can stop it.
Common questions
What is the PPF interest rate for October to December 2026?
7.1% a year. Sukanya Samriddhi and SCSS pay 8.2%, NSC 7.7%, KVP 7.5%, the Monthly Income Scheme 7.4% and the 5-year post office RD 6.7%.
Which small savings schemes are tax-free?
PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi: deposits count for 80C in the old regime, and the interest and maturity amount are tax-free. NSC, SCSS, KVP, POMIS and RD interest is taxable.
Is PPF interest tax-free in the new regime?
Yes. There's no 80C deduction in the new regime, but PPF and Sukanya Samriddhi interest stay tax-free.
What is the EPF interest rate?
8.25% for FY 2025-26, set by EPFO.
Two ways to sort this
Do it yourself
- Check the current quarter's rate on the National Savings Institute or India Post site.
- In the old regime, total your 80C: PF, PPF, SSY, NSC, ELSS and insurance, up to ₹1.5 lakh.
- Add taxable interest (NSC, SCSS, POMIS, KVP, RD, FD) to your return each year, even without TDS.
- Submit Form 15G or 15H at the start of the year if your total income is below the taxable limit.
Let an expert do it
We pick the regime that suits your savings, and make sure every rupee of interest is reported correctly.
The first chat is freeWork it out for yourself
- PPF: Your PPF balance at maturity, all of it tax-free.
- Sukanya Samriddhi: Savings for your daughter's education and marriage.
- NSC: Interest and maturity on National Savings Certificates.
- Senior citizens' savings (SCSS): Quarterly interest for senior citizens.
- Post office monthly income (POMIS): Monthly interest from the post office.
- Kisan Vikas Patra: When your KVP doubles.
- Recurring deposit: Maturity value of a monthly RD.
- EPF: Your provident fund balance at retirement.
- Mahila Samman certificate: Maturity on the women's savings certificate.
- Fixed deposit: Interest and maturity amount on an FD.
- FD premature withdrawal: What you get if you break an FD early.
- Interest deduction (80TTA, 80TTB): Tax-free interest on savings and deposits.
- Monthly savings: How much to save each month.
See what your PPF grows to in 15 years.
Open the PPF calculatorSources
- Small savings schemes and interest rates, National Savings Institute, Ministry of Finance
- Post office savings schemes, India Post
- EPF interest and member services, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation
- Tax rules for salaried individuals, AY 2026-27, Income Tax Department
This guide explains the rules in general. For your own situation, .