Here’s a clear, up-to-date
summary of the Indian Post Office Recurring Deposit (RD) Scheme for 2026 —
one of the government-backed small savings investment options you can open at
any post office in India:
Indian Post Office Recurring Deposit (RD) 2026
Post
Office Recurring Deposit (RD) – Key Details (2026)
What It Is
A Recurring Deposit (RD) with
India Post (also called National Savings Recurring Deposit Account) is a
safe, low-risk savings plan where you deposit a fixed amount every
month for a fixed tenure and earn guaranteed interest on your
savings.
Tenure
Fixed
Term: 5 years (60 months) — this is the
standard tenure for post office RD accounts.
Interest Rate (2026)
6.7%
per annum, compounded quarterly — this rate
has been retained for the Jan–Mar 2026 quarter by the Government of
India.
Unlike some bank RDs where rates vary by
duration within the RD, Post Office RD interest is a flat rate for the full
5-year term under the small savings scheme.
Deposit
Rules
Minimum
Monthly Deposit: ₹100
Subsequent
Installments: Must be in multiples of ₹10.
No
Upper Limit: You can invest as much as you like
(no cap on deposit amount).
Who
Can Open an RD?
Any Indian
resident can open an RD account.
Can be
opened singly or jointly (up to three adults).
A minor
(above 10 years) can also open the account in their own name, and a
guardian can open it on behalf of a minor.
Holding & Operation
Deposits: Cash or cheque at the post office (cheque is credited on
the clearance date).
Account
Transfer: You can transfer your RD account from
one post office to another.
Nomination
Facility: Available so you can nominate
someone to receive proceeds in case of an emergency.
Premature Withdrawal
Allowed after
3 years from the date of account opening (with certain
conditions/penalties).
Interest
Calculation
Interest
is compounded quarterly, which helps your savings grow a bit faster
within the 5-year period.
Tax
Treatment
Interest
earned is taxable as per your income tax slab (no tax
exemption on interest).
No
TDS applies unless the interest exceeds the
threshold for TDS on savings schemes.
Tax
benefits under Section 80C: Unlike
some RD products (e.g., in banks), Post Office RD does not typically
give Section 80C deduction — check current tax rules/consult a tax advisor
before investing.
Quick
Snapshot – Post Office RD (2026)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Tenure |
5 years |
|
Interest Rate |
6.7% p.a. (compounded quarterly) |
|
Minimum Deposit |
₹100/month |
|
Maximum Deposit |
No limit |
|
Premature Withdrawal |
Allowed after 3 years |
|
Transferable |
Yes, between post offices |
|
Nomination |
Yes |
|
Tax on Interest |
Yes (taxable) |
Why
People Choose Post Office RD
Government-backed
& safe: Guaranteed returns with no market
risk.
Small
monthly amounts: Starts with just ₹100 per month.
Good
for disciplined savers: Helps
inculcate regular savings over 5 years.