Government of India keeps small savings scheme interest rates unchanged for January–March 2026 quarter.

Exam-focused facts from the 4 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Interest rates on all major small savings instruments remain unchanged for the January–March 2026 quarter.
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) and Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) offer the highest rate at 8.2 per cent.
Public Provident Fund (PPF) continues at 7.1 per cent with exempt–exempt–exempt tax status.
National Savings Certificate (NSC) offers 7.7 per cent annual compounding and qualifies for Section 80C deduction.
Five-year Post Office Time Deposit provides 7.5 per cent and is eligible for Section 80C benefits.
Monthly Income Scheme pays 7.4 per cent with monthly interest payouts.
Kisan Vikas Patra carries 7.5 per cent interest and matures in 115 months.
Post Office Savings Account retains 4 per cent interest rate.