The central government has decided to keep interest rates unchanged for popular small savings schemes such as the Public Provident Fund (PPF) and National Savings Certificate (NSC).
This decision will apply from January 1 to March 31, 2026, marking the seventh straight quarter with no change in rates.
The announcement brings clarity for millions of investors who rely on these schemes for safe and steady returns.
Interest Rates Stay the Same for January–March 2026
In an official notification, the Finance Ministry confirmed that interest rates for the fourth quarter of FY 2025–26 will remain exactly the same as the previous quarter.
This means small savers will continue to earn the same returns despite changes in interest rates elsewhere in the financial system.
These schemes remain a preferred choice for low-risk investments, especially among households.
Current Rates for Popular Savings Schemes
As per the notification, the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will continue to offer an interest rate of 8.2 percent.
The three-year term deposit will earn 7.1 percent interest.
The Public Provident Fund will also continue at 7.1 percent, while post office savings accounts will offer 4 percent interest during the January–March period.
No Change in KVP, NSC, and MIS Returns
The Kisan Vikas Patra interest rate has been retained at 7.5 percent, with a maturity period of 115 months.
The National Savings Certificate will continue to offer a return of 7.7 percent.
The Monthly Income Scheme will also remain unchanged, providing an interest rate of 7.4 percent.
Seventh Quarter Without Any Revision
With this announcement, small savings scheme rates have now stayed unchanged for seven consecutive quarters.
The last revision took place in the fourth quarter of FY 2023–24.
The government reviews these rates every quarter, but for now, investors can expect stability and predictable returns on their small savings investments.
