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PPF, Other Small Savings Schemes Provide These Returns Now

The government reviews the interest rates applicable to these savings schemes on a quarterly basis
The government reviews the interest rates applicable to these savings schemes on a quarterly basis

Public Provident Fund (PPF) provides an annual return of 7.1 per cent for the third quarter of current financial year. The PPF scheme, which comes with a maturity period of 15 years, is one among nine small savings instruments currently offered by the government. Investment in these small savings schemes currently fetches returns to the tune of 4-7.6 per cent per annum. These schemes are available in designated branches of commercial banks as well as the post office. 

Here's a comparison of the interest rates and minimum limits applicable to these nine small savings schemes in the third quarter of 2020-21 (October-December):

Small Savings Scheme Interest Rate Minimum Amount Required For Opening Account
Post Office Savings Account 4% Rs 500
5-Year Post Office Recurring Deposit (RD) Account 5.8% Rs 100 per month
Post Office Time Deposit (TD) Account - One Year 5.5% Rs 1,000
Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD) - Two Years 5.5% Rs 1,000
Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD) - Three Years 5.5% Rs 1,000
Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD) - Five Years 6.7% Rs 1,000
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme Account (MIS) 6.6% Rs 1,000
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) 7.4% Rs 1,000
15-Year Public Provident Fund Account (PPF) 7.1% Rs 500
National Savings Certificates (NSC) 6.8% Rs 1,000
Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) 6.9% Rs 1,000
Sukanya Samriddhi Account 7.6% Rs 250
(Source: indiapost.gov.in)

Of these schemes, the time deposit or term deposit scheme comes in four maturity options, ranging from one to five years.

The government reviews the interest rates applicable to these savings schemes on a quarterly basis.