This post office calculator lets you pick any India Post small savings scheme and see what it pays at the current rates. Choose the scheme, type the amount (monthly for RD, yearly for PPF) and read the result. Each scheme also has its own detailed page, linked below, with rules, tables and tax notes.
These schemes carry a central government guarantee, with rates announced by the Finance Ministry each quarter. The table on this page lists the current rate of each one so you can compare quickly.
At a glance
- Time deposit, 5 years7.5%
- Recurring deposit6.7%
- Monthly income scheme7.4%
- Senior citizens scheme8.2%
- NSC and PPF7.7% and 7.1%
- Savings account4.0%
Post office interest rates and calculators
| Scheme | Rate a year | Term | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time deposit 1 year | 6.9% | 1 year | Post office FD calculator |
| Time deposit 2 years | 7.0% | 2 years | |
| Time deposit 3 years | 7.1% | 3 years | |
| Time deposit 5 years | 7.5% | 5 years | |
| Recurring deposit | 6.7% | 5 years | Post office RD calculator |
| Monthly income scheme | 7.4% | 5 years | Post office MIS calculator |
| Senior Citizens Savings Scheme | 8.2% | 5 years | SCSS calculator |
| National Savings Certificate | 7.7% | 5 years | NSC calculator |
| Kisan Vikas Patra | 7.5% | 115 months | KVP calculator |
| Public Provident Fund | 7.1% | 15 years | PPF calculator |
| Savings account | 4.0% | Open ended | Savings interest calculator |
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, for a girl child, is also offered at post offices; it is covered on a separate dedicated site.
Using the post office calculator step by step
- Pick the scheme from the first menu.
- Type the amount: the monthly instalment for RD, the yearly deposit for PPF, or the lump sum for the others.
- Read the main figure, then the smaller tiles for interest, payouts and term.
- Expand the yearly table if the scheme shows one.
Scheme caps are built in: ₹15 lakh for MIS, ₹30 lakh for SCSS and ₹1,50,000 yearly for PPF. To compare two schemes, run one, note the result, then switch the menu.
Which post office scheme suits you
- Lump sum, need it back on a date: time deposit for 1 to 5 years.
- Saving monthly from salary: recurring deposit.
- Monthly income from a lump sum: MIS, up to ₹9 lakh single or ₹15 lakh joint.
- Aged 60 or more, want the highest regular income: SCSS, up to ₹30 lakh, paid quarterly.
- Tax saving under the old regime: 5 year TD, NSC, PPF or SCSS.
- Long term, tax free: PPF.
- Want to double the money: KVP doubles in 115 months.
Post office interest calculator: how each scheme pays
The schemes look similar but pay interest differently, which changes what you actually get:
| Scheme | How interest works |
|---|---|
| Time deposit | Calculated quarterly, paid yearly |
| RD | Compounded quarterly, paid at maturity |
| MIS | Paid every month, no compounding |
| SCSS | Paid every quarter, no compounding |
| NSC | Compounded yearly, paid at maturity |
| KVP | Compounded, money doubles at maturity |
| PPF | Compounded yearly, tax free |
If you take interest out, as with MIS or SCSS, the deposit does not grow. If you leave it in, as with NSC, KVP and PPF, compounding adds more. The compound interest calculator shows that effect for any rate.
Post office SIP calculator: is there a post office SIP
The post office does not run mutual fund SIPs. People searching for a post office SIP usually mean either the post office RD, which takes a fixed amount every month at a fixed rate, or monthly deposits into PPF. For market linked SIPs through mutual funds, use the SIP calculator. The difference: an RD pays a known, government backed rate, while a SIP's value moves with the market.
Post office vs bank deposits
Post office scheme rates are the same at every branch across India and are reviewed every quarter. Bank FD rates differ by bank and tenure. The post office side has a sovereign guarantee, while banks rely on DICGC cover, limited to ₹5 lakh a person in each bank. Compare the post office's 5 year rate with a few banks in the FD calculator, and remember that all of these deposits, except PPF, give taxable interest.
Senior citizens and post office schemes
For people aged 60 and above, the senior citizen scheme interest calculator usually shows the best regular income: 8.2% paid every quarter on up to ₹30 lakh. MIS adds monthly income on up to ₹9 lakh more. Many retirees combine the two, and keep some money in a time deposit or bank FD for flexibility. TDS applies to SCSS interest above the yearly limit for seniors; a self declaration can stop it if your income is below the taxable level.
Opening and managing post office accounts
- Open a post office savings account first; it is needed to receive interest from MIS, SCSS and TD.
- Bring KYC documents: Aadhaar and PAN.
- Many schemes can be managed online through India Post's net banking and app after a branch visit.
- Add a nominee to every account.
Every scheme's rulebook sits on the India Post site, and the Finance Ministry's quarterly notice gives the official rates.
Rates change every quarter, but a deposit keeps the rate it was opened with for its term, except PPF, which follows each quarter's rate. The rates on this site can be updated by the site owner as new rates are announced.
Frequently asked questions
Which post office scheme gives the highest interest?
Among the regular schemes, SCSS at 8.2% is the highest, but it is only for people aged 60 or more (55 for some retirees). For others, NSC at 7.7% and the 5 year TD at 7.5% are among the highest.
How do I calculate post office interest?
Each scheme pays differently. Pick the scheme in the calculator above and type the amount, or open the scheme's own page for detailed tables.
Is there a SIP in the post office?
No. The closest is the post office RD, which takes a fixed amount every month at a fixed rate for 5 years.
Are post office rates the same everywhere in India?
Yes. Rates are set nationally by the Ministry of Finance and apply at every post office.
How often do post office interest rates change?
They are reviewed every quarter. Most deposits keep their opening rate for the full term.
What is the post office savings account interest rate?
4.0% a year, calculated on the minimum balance between the 10th and the end of each month.