Quick answer
Which post office scheme gives the best return?
Among post office schemes for Oct–Dec 2026, the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme and Sukanya Samriddhi pay the most at 8.2%, followed by NSC at 7.7%, KVP and the 5-year time deposit at 7.5%, and the Monthly Income Scheme at 7.4%. ₹1 lakh in NSC grows to about ₹1,44,903 in 5 years, while KVP doubles your money in 115 months.
- NSC: 7.7%, 5 years, paid at maturity
- SCSS: 8.2%, paid quarterly, up to ₹30 lakh (60+)
- MIS: 7.4%, paid monthly, up to ₹9 lakh single
What are the post office interest rates for Oct–Dec 2026?
| Scheme | Rate | How interest is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizens Savings Scheme | 8.2% | Every quarter |
| Sukanya Samriddhi | 8.2% | Compounded yearly, at maturity |
| National Savings Certificate | 7.7% | Compounded yearly, at maturity |
| Kisan Vikas Patra | 7.5% | Doubles in 115 months |
| Time deposit, 5 years | 7.5% | Compounded quarterly, paid yearly |
| Monthly Income Scheme | 7.4% | Every month |
| Time deposit, 1 / 2 / 3 years | 6.9% / 7% / 7.1% | Compounded quarterly, paid yearly |
Frequently asked questions
What are the post office interest rates now?
For Oct–Dec 2026: NSC 7.7%, KVP 7.5%, Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 8.2%, Monthly Income Scheme 7.4%, and time deposits 6.9% (1 year) to 7.5% (5 years). Sukanya Samriddhi is 8.2% and PPF 7.1%.
How much will ₹1 lakh in NSC become?
At 7.7% compounded yearly, ₹1 lakh in NSC grows to about ₹1,44,903 after 5 years.
In how many months does KVP double money?
At 7.5%, Kisan Vikas Patra doubles your money in 115 months (9 years 7 months).
How much monthly income does the Post Office MIS give?
At 7.4%, ₹9 lakh in a single MIS account pays about ₹5,550 a month for 5 years, and you get the ₹9 lakh back at maturity.
Is post office interest taxable?
Yes, interest from NSC, KVP, SCSS, MIS and time deposits is taxable at your slab rate. NSC, SCSS and the 5-year time deposit qualify for Section 80C under the old regime. PPF and SSY are the tax-free exceptions.
What is the minimum and maximum investment in post office schemes?
The minimum is ₹1,000 for NSC, KVP, SCSS, MIS and time deposits. SCSS is capped at ₹30 lakh and MIS at ₹9 lakh in a single account (₹15 lakh joint), while NSC, KVP and time deposits have no upper limit.