PPF, Sukanya and SCSS Rates Announced: Check Small Savings Interest for October-December 2026

The government has announced the interest rates applicable to popular small savings schemes for the October-December 2026 quarter, bringing clarity for millions of investors who put their money into government-backed savings products.

The latest announcement covers schemes such as the Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS), National Savings Certificate (NSC), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), Monthly Income Account Scheme (MIS) and Post Office time deposits.

For the October-December 2026 quarter, the interest rates on these small savings schemes have been kept unchanged from the previous July-September quarter.

This means PPF investors will continue to earn 7.1%, while Sukanya Samriddhi and the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme will continue to offer 8.2% per annum.

Small Savings Interest Rates for October-December 2026

Here are the applicable rates for some of the major government-backed schemes:

The rates will remain applicable for the quarter running from October 1 to December 31, 2026, unless otherwise notified.

PPF Interest Rate Remains at 7.1%

The Public Provident Fund continues to offer an annual interest rate of 7.1%.

PPF remains a popular long-term savings option, particularly among investors looking to build a retirement corpus while receiving tax benefits under the applicable income-tax provisions.

The scheme has a long investment horizon and comes with specific rules governing annual contributions, withdrawals and maturity.

For the October-December quarter, investors will not see either an increase or reduction in the PPF interest rate.

Sukanya Samriddhi Continues to Offer 8.2%

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana continues to carry one of the highest rates among the major small savings schemes.

For October-December 2026, the SSY interest rate remains 8.2% per annum.

The scheme is designed to help parents or guardians build long-term savings for an eligible girl child.

Because it combines a relatively high government-notified interest rate with long-term savings, SSY is often considered by families planning for future education and other financial requirements.

However, investors should understand its deposit, withdrawal and maturity rules before opening an account.

SCSS Interest Rate Stays at 8.2%

Senior citizens also receive an interest rate of 8.2% under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme.

SCSS is specifically designed for eligible senior citizens and provides periodic interest income according to the scheme's rules.

The unchanged 8.2% rate means eligible investors will continue to receive the same notified rate during the October-December quarter.

For retirees looking for a government-backed income-oriented savings product, SCSS remains an important option to evaluate.

NSC Offers 7.7% Interest

The National Savings Certificate will continue to offer an interest rate of 7.7%.

NSC is a fixed-tenure small savings instrument available through the post office network.

It is commonly used by investors seeking a government-backed investment with a predetermined maturity structure.

Tax treatment and deductions depend on applicable income-tax rules, so investors should consider both the interest rate and taxation while comparing NSC with other products.

Kisan Vikas Patra Rate Remains at 7.5%

The government has retained the interest rate on Kisan Vikas Patra at 7.5% for the October-December quarter.

KVP is structured as a long-term savings product in which the invested amount grows according to the notified rate and applicable maturity conditions.

The time required for the investment to double depends on the interest rate announced by the government.

Investors should check the prevailing maturity period before investing rather than assuming that the doubling period always remains the same.

Monthly Income Scheme Offers 7.4%

The Post Office Monthly Income Account Scheme continues to offer 7.4% interest.

The scheme is designed for investors seeking periodic income from their deposited amount.

Unlike growth-oriented products where returns accumulate until maturity, MIS is primarily intended for those looking for regular interest payments.

The investment limit, account structure and other eligibility conditions should be checked before investing.

Post Office FD Rates Range From 6.9% to 7.5%

Post Office Time Deposits offer different interest rates depending on the tenure selected.

For October-December 2026:

1-year deposit: 6.9%
2-year deposit: 7.0%
3-year deposit: 7.1%
5-year deposit: 7.5%

This means investors choosing a five-year Post Office Time Deposit will receive the highest rate among these four tenures at 7.5%.

Investors should compare the maturity period, liquidity requirements and tax implications before selecting a tenure solely on the basis of the interest rate.

Post Office RD Continues at 6.7%

The five-year Post Office Recurring Deposit continues to offer 6.7% interest.

An RD can be useful for investors who prefer investing a fixed amount regularly rather than making a large lump-sum deposit.

The final maturity value depends on the monthly contribution, applicable interest rate and the scheme's compounding methodology.

Why Does the Government Review These Rates Every Quarter?

Small savings interest rates are reviewed by the government every three months.

The rates are broadly linked to yields on government securities of comparable maturities, along with the spreads applicable to individual schemes. The final rates, however, are notified by the government.

As a result, rates can be increased, reduced or kept unchanged from one quarter to another.

For the October-December 2026 quarter, the government has opted to maintain the existing rates.

When Were Small Savings Rates Last Changed?

Small savings rates have remained stable for several quarters.

One of the previously cited revisions came for the January-March 2024 quarter, when the interest rate on the three-year Post Office Time Deposit was raised from 7.0% to 7.1%.

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana rate was also increased at that time from 8.0% to 8.2%.

Since then, major schemes such as PPF, SSY and SCSS have continued at their respective rates through subsequent quarterly announcements.

Which Scheme Offers the Highest Rate?

Among the major schemes listed for the October-December 2026 quarter, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme offer 8.2%, the highest stated rates in this group.

However, the highest interest rate does not automatically mean a scheme is suitable for every investor.

SSY is meant for eligible girl-child accounts, while SCSS is available to eligible senior citizens and other qualifying investors under the scheme rules.

PPF, NSC, KVP, MIS and Post Office deposits each have different objectives, lock-in conditions, withdrawal rules and tax treatment.

Investors should therefore choose according to their eligibility and financial goals rather than comparing interest rates alone.

What Investors Should Know

The government's October-December 2026 announcement brings stability for investors who already use small savings schemes.

There is no change in the headline interest rates compared with the previous quarter.

PPF remains at 7.1%, Sukanya Samriddhi and SCSS remain at 8.2%, NSC stays at 7.7%, KVP at 7.5%, MIS at 7.4%, and the five-year Post Office RD continues at 6.7%.

For investors planning a new investment, the next step should be to compare not only the interest rates but also eligibility, tenure, liquidity, taxation and withdrawal conditions.

Disclaimer: Interest rates on small savings schemes are notified by the government and may be revised in future quarters. Tax benefits and tax treatment depend on prevailing income-tax rules and individual circumstances. Investors should check the latest official scheme conditions before investing.