# PPF Interest Rate Oct-Dec 2026 and Small Savings Rates > PPF stays at 7.1%, SCSS and SSY at 8.2%, NSC at 7.7% for October-December 2026. Full small savings rate table and how it compares with FDs. - **Published**: 2026-10-18 - **Modified**: 2026-10-18 - **Category**: tax-planning - **URL**: https://www.tldr.money/articles/tax-planning/small-savings-interest-rates-oct-dec-2026 --- Use the [tax planning guide](/tax-planning) for where these schemes fit in your tax plan. This page gives the **PPF interest rate for October-December 2026** and every other small savings rate, and compares them with bank FDs after RBI's 7 October rate hike. ## PPF interest rate October-December 2026: no change The Department of Economic Affairs fixed the rates for the third quarter of 2026-27 (1 October to 31 December 2026) in an office memorandum dated 30 September 2026. India Post circulated it in SB Order 12/2026. All rates were left unchanged. They were last changed in the December 2024 review. ## All small savings rates for October-December 2026 | Scheme | Interest rate | |---|---| | Post office savings account | 4.0% | | 1-year time deposit | 6.9% | | 2-year time deposit | 7.0% | | 3-year time deposit | 7.1% | | 5-year time deposit | 7.5% | | 5-year recurring deposit | 6.7% | | Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) | 8.2% | | Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) | 7.4% | | National Savings Certificate (NSC) | 7.7% | | Public Provident Fund (PPF) | 7.1% | | Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) | 8.2% | | Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) | 7.5% (matures in 115 months) | At 7.7%, INR 10,000 in NSC grows to INR 14,490 at maturity in five years. ## Small savings vs FDs after the repo hike RBI raised the repo rate to 5.50% on 7 October 2026, and some banks have raised deposit rates since. Here is how the main options compare for a senior citizen: | Option | Rate | Tax on interest | |---|---|---| | SCSS | 8.2% | Taxable | | Best small finance bank FD (senior citizen) | up to 8.50% | Taxable | | SBI FD (senior citizen, best tenure) | 7.05% | Taxable | | 5-year post office time deposit | 7.5% | Taxable | | PPF | 7.1% | Tax-free | Three points to weigh: - **Safety.** Small savings schemes are backed by the government. Bank FDs are insured by DICGC only up to INR 5 lakh per depositor per bank. - **Tax.** PPF interest is tax-free. For someone paying tax at a high slab, 7.1% tax-free is worth more than a taxable FD at 8%+. - **Lock-in.** PPF runs 15 years and SCSS 5 years, with rules on early exit. FDs are usually easier to break. For the full FD rate table, see [best FD rates for senior citizens](/articles/banking/best-fd-rates-senior-citizens). ## Which scheme suits whom - **Retirees who want regular income:** SCSS, then MIS. - **Long-term, tax-free savings:** PPF, especially if you use the old regime's deductions. Our [best 80C investment options](/articles/tax-planning/best-80c-investment-options) guide compares it with ELSS and others. - **Parents of a girl child:** SSY, at 8.2%. - **Not sure which tax regime you are on?** Deductions for PPF, NSC and SSY contributions are available only under the old regime. See [new vs old tax regime](/articles/tax-planning/new-vs-old-tax-regime-fy2026-27). ## Sources - Department of Posts, SB Order 12/2026 circulating the Ministry of Finance (DEA) office memorandum of 30 Sep 2026: https://www.staffnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ECE_15533.pdf - The Economic Times, small savings rates for October-December 2026, 30 Sep 2026: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/save/has-government-increased-small-savings-scheme-ppf-scss-nsc-ssa-kvp-fd-mis-interest-rates-for-october-december-2026-quarter/articleshow/134583960.cms - Mint and Zee Business, KVP maturity and SSY rate, 30 Sep 2026 - ICAI Vitiyagyan, Taxation of income on savings: https://vitiyagyan.icai.org/faq/taxation-of-income-on-savings/ - Moneycontrol, FD rates for senior citizens, updated 16 Oct 2026: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/personal-finance/repo-rate-hike-fd-rates-up-to-8-50-for-senior-citizens-check-banks-14048439.html --- - [More tax-planning articles](https://www.tldr.money/articles/category/tax-planning) - [All articles](https://www.tldr.money/articles)