Latest Post Office Fixed Deposit Rates in India 2026

Details of the Post Office FD scheme are mentioned in the table below: 

Features of Post Office Fixed deposit (FD) 

The Post Office Fixed Deposit (FD) scheme or Post Office Time Deposit is a true and government-backed, very safe investment option offered by India Post. It provides secure returns with flexible tenures and tax saving advantages for investors.   

Here are the Features of the scheme:  

1. Account Flexibility: A single account is capable of being converted for up to three adults, whereas a joint account is able to be converted to a solo holder. 
2. Interest Management: Interest is compounded by the scheme every quarter, while the final payout is credited to the linked savings account annually. 
3. Tenure Options: Capital is locked in for specific durations (1,2,3,5 years) by investors, while funds are secured for predefined intervals. 
4. Tax Efficiency: A tax deduction of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh under Section 80C is facilitated by the five-year deposit, also leading to a reduction in taxable income every financial year. 
5. Liquidity Access: Premature withdrawal of funds is permitted by the government once the account has been active for six months. An early exit is facilitated for established accounts. 
6. Opening Channels: Accounts are established through digital mobile banking by investors. In-person registration can also be done at physical post office branches. 
7. Payment Methods: Liquid cash is utilised for the initial investment, and the deposit is processed by a standard bank cheque.

Post Office Fixed Deposit Interest Rates

The Post Office fixed deposit interest rate are given in the table below: 

Note: The interest rates mentioned above are as of 6 April 2026 and subject to change. 

Rates for Tax-Saving Post Office 5-year Fixed Deposit

If you open a fixed deposit with the post office for a tenure of 5 years, you will be eligible to claim tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Post Office Time Deposit Account

There is no maximum restriction, and you can open a Post Office Time Deposit (TD) Account, also known as a Post Office Fixed Deposit (FD) account, with a minimum of Rs. 1,000 and multiples of Rs. 100.

Additional Details on National Savings Time Deposit Scheme 

Some vital details about the National Savings Time Deposit scheme are mentioned below: 

1. Flexible Tenure Selection: Investors can choose from four distinct maturity periods: 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year terms. 
2. Investment Boundaries: The account requires a minimum start of Rs. 1,000 (invested in multiples of Rs. 100), with no legal ceiling on the maximum deposit amount. 
3. Interest Structure: While the interest is calculated and compounded quarterly, the actual payout is credited to the depositor annually. 
4. Idle Interest Policy: Any interest that remains uncollected after it becomes due does not earn additional interest; it remains a static balance until withdrawn. 
5. Direct Payout Mandates: Annual interest can be automatically routed to your Post Office Savings Account or a commercial Bank Account by providing a written Standing Instruction (SI) or ECS mandate. 
6. Tax Deduction Eligibility: Only the 5-year tenure qualifies for Section 80C benefits (up to Rs.1.5 lakh), but keep in mind this only applies if you are filing under the Old Tax Regime in 2026.

Pledging of Post Office Term Deposit Account  

To pledge a TD account or transfer it as security, submit the prescribed form along with the pledgee’s acceptance letter at the concerned Post Office. 

The eligible pledgees include: 

• The President of India or Governor of a State 

• RBI (Reserve Bank of India), co-operative societies, scheduled banks, and co-operative banks 

• Public or private corporations, government companies, and local authorities 

• Housing finance companies approved by the National Housing Bank and notified by the Central Government 

Premature closure of TD Account 

The details of premature closure of TD account are listed below: 

• No withdrawal allowed before completion of six months from the date of deposit. 

1, 2, or 3-Year TD Account 

• If closed after six months but before one year, then interest paid at Post Office Savings Account rate for completed months. 

2 or 3-Year TD Account 

• If closed after one year, then: 

• For completed years: Interest is equal to TD rate (1 or 2-year, as applicable) minus 2%. 

• For remaining period (less than 1 year): Post Office Savings Account rate applies. 

5-Year TD Account 

• Cannot be closed before completing four years. 

• If closed after four years, then interest paid at Post Office Savings Account rate. 

• Within the first 6 months from the date of deposit, no withdrawal is allowed.  

TD Account Extension

Time Deposit Extension Guidelines: 

 The guidelines for time deposit extension are as follows: 

1. Tenure Consistency: Account renewal is matched to the original tenure but is not granted for varying lengths, while a fixed duration is repeated. 
2. Automatic Extension: A written mandate for auto-extension is recorded at the start but is not required upon maturity, while the trigger is activated immediately. 
3. Renewal Frequency: Two extensions are authorized by protocol but are not permitted for a third instance, while the cycle count is capped. 
4. Effective Interest Rate: The interest rate prevailing on the maturity date is applied but is not replaced by the initial percentage, while the new yield is fixed. 
5. Retroactive Extension Window: Manual applications are accepted within designated timeframes but are not processed after the cutoff, while specific windows are provided for different tenures.    Protocol on Death of Accountholder  

The protocol in case of death of accountholder is as follows: 

• Nominee Settlement: The remaining balance is paid to the nominee or legal heirs upon a formal claim and is released with documentation, while the total sum is transferred to the beneficiaries. 

• Continuation Option: The active status of the account is maintained by up to three eligible heirs until maturity but is not terminated early by default, while the original duration is preserved for the survivors. 

• Joint Holder Rights: Sole ownership of the deposit is legally recognized for the surviving members but is not granted to third parties, while control of the funds is consolidated for the remaining holders. 

• Survivor Flexibility: A choice between continuation or premature closure is exercised by the surviving holders but is not dictated by the bank, while the remaining duration is managed at their discretion.    

Post Office FD Rates and Banks FD Rates – A Comparison 

A comparison between Post Office FD rates and other banks FD rates 

Note: The rates are updated on 10 February 2026  and any change in interest rates are at the discretion of the bank. 

Who Can Open a Post Office Fixed Deposit Account?

The eligibility criteria to apply for the Post Office Fixed Deposit Account or National Savings Time Deposit are listed below: 

1. An individual who is a resident citizen of India 
2. A single adult applicant 
3. Joint account holders (up to three adults), which may be: 
4.  Joint ‘A’ type: Operated jointly by all depositors or by the surviving depositors together 
5. Joint ‘B’ type: Operated by any one depositor or by surviving depositors individually 
6. A guardian applying on behalf of a minor 
7. A guardian applying on behalf of a person of unsound mind (referred to as an Authorised Account). 
8. A minor who is at least ten years old. 

Documents Required for Post Office FD Scheme 

The various documents required for Post Office FD scheme are mentioned below:

• Post Office FD application form 
• PAN Card
• Proof of address: telephone bill, electricity bill, passport, etc. 
• Proof of identity: Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, Voter ID card, etc. 

Post Office Fixed Deposit Calculator  

1. An online FD calculator is effective for estimating maturity proceeds. 
2. Principal amounts and specific interest rates are entered for forecasting. 
3. Compounding is fixed at a quarterly frequency for Time Deposits. 
4. The tool provides immediate projections of returns. 
5. Calculators are efficient for numerical forecasting but do not account for individual tax liabilities or 80C deductions.