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The government has decided to keep interest rates unchanged across major small savings schemes, including the Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificate (NSC), for the seventh consecutive quarter beginning January 1, 2026.
In a notification issued on Wednesday (December 31), the finance ministry said interest rates for the fourth quarter of FY26 (January 1 to March 31, 2026) will remain the same as those notified for the previous quarter.
The decision applies to all small savings schemes operated largely through post offices and select banks.
According to the notification, the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will continue to offer the highest return among small savings products at 8.2%, while the interest rate on three-year term deposits has been retained at 7.1%.
Popular schemes such as the PPF and post office savings deposits will continue to earn 7.1% and 4%, respectively.
The government has also kept rates unchanged for other instruments, including the Kisan Vikas Patra, which will offer 7.5% and mature in 115 months, and the National Savings Certificate, which will continue to earn 7.7% during the January–March quarter.
The monthly income scheme will maintain an interest rate of 7.4%.
The last revision in small savings rates took place in the fourth quarter of FY24. The government reviews and notifies interest rates for these schemes on a quarterly basis.
In a notification issued on Wednesday (December 31), the finance ministry said interest rates for the fourth quarter of FY26 (January 1 to March 31, 2026) will remain the same as those notified for the previous quarter.
The decision applies to all small savings schemes operated largely through post offices and select banks.
According to the notification, the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will continue to offer the highest return among small savings products at 8.2%, while the interest rate on three-year term deposits has been retained at 7.1%.
Popular schemes such as the PPF and post office savings deposits will continue to earn 7.1% and 4%, respectively.
The government has also kept rates unchanged for other instruments, including the Kisan Vikas Patra, which will offer 7.5% and mature in 115 months, and the National Savings Certificate, which will continue to earn 7.7% during the January–March quarter.
The monthly income scheme will maintain an interest rate of 7.4%.
The last revision in small savings rates took place in the fourth quarter of FY24. The government reviews and notifies interest rates for these schemes on a quarterly basis.
