Investment News · 16 October 2026 · 1 min read
In short: The government has kept interest rates on all small savings schemes unchanged for the October–December 2026 quarter. PPF stays at 7.1% a year.
Rates for 1 October – 31 December 2026
- Public Provident Fund (PPF): 7.1%
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): 8.2%
- Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS): 8.2%
- National Savings Certificate (NSC): 7.7%
- Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP): 7.5%
- Post Office Monthly Income Scheme: 7.4%
- Post Office Time Deposits: 6.9% (1 year), 7.0% (2 years), 7.1% (3 years), 7.5% (5 years)
- 5-year Recurring Deposit: 6.7%
What it means for you
These rates are reviewed every quarter. They were set before the RBI’s 7 October rate hike and apply until 31 December, so PPF’s tax-free 7.1% stays one of the steadier long-term options for now. Big banks have not yet raised FD rates either: see where FD rates stand.
Weighing your options? Read FD vs PPF: how they compare.
Sources
- Angel One: Small savings rates for October–December 2026
- New Kerala: Govt keeps small savings rates unchanged
This is a news summary for education, not financial advice. Rates and terms change; confirm the latest details with your bank or the official source.