National Savings Certificates (NSCs) are long-term investment schemes provided by the Government of India via post offices and authorized banks. They offer a fixed interest rate backed by the government, making them a secure investment choice. NSCs usually have a maturity period of 5 years, making them ideal for long-term financial planning.
The interest rate for the National Savings Certificate (NSC) is currently 7.7% per annum. This rate is compounded annually and paid out at maturity. The Government of India revises the NSC interest rate on a quarterly basis.
The table below shows the overview of National Saving Certificate Scheme
Interest rate | 7.70% p.a. |
Tenure | 5 years | Minimum Deposit | ₹1000 |
Maximum Deposit | No limit |
Tax Benefit | Up to ₹1.5 lakh under section 80C |
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The Ministry of Finance periodically reviews NSC interest rates, resulting in quarterly revisions. Interest on NSC is compounded annually and paid out when it matures. The chart below shows the historical NSC interest rates from previous years.
Financial Year | April-June | July-September | October-December | January-March |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023-2024 | 7.7% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 7.7% |
2022-2023 | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 7.0% |
2021-2022 | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% |
2020-2021 | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% |
2019-2020 | 8.0% | 7.9% | 7.9% | 7.9% |
2018-2019 | 7.6% | 7.6% | 8.0% | 8.0% |
2017-2018 | 7.9% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 7.6% |
2016-2017 | 8.1% | 8.1% | 8.0% | 8.0% |
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NSC falls under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, offering tax-saving investment options. Other well-known options include Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS), National Pension System (NPS), Public Provident Fund (PPF), and Tax-Saving Fixed Deposits (FD). The following table provides a comparison of NSC with other tax-saving investment choices.
Investment | Interest | Lock-in Period | Risk Profile |
---|---|---|---|
NSC | 7.7% p.a. | 5 years | Low-risk |
ELSS funds | 15% to 18% p.a. | 3 years | Market-related risks |
PPF | 7.1% p.a. | 15 years | Low-risk |
NPS | 9% to 12% p.a. | Till retirement | Market-related risks |
Tax-Saving FD | 6% to 8.25% p.a. | 5 years | Low-risk |
From the above table, we understand that,
Hence, the optimal choice depends on an individual's risk tolerance, financial goals, and investment horizon.
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You can invest in the National Savings Scheme if you meet the following eligibility criteria for NSC.
To invest in NSC, individuals must provide certain documents, including proof of identity, proof of address, and a completed application form. Having these documents ready will facilitate a smooth and secure investment process. Ensure you have the following:
An NSC calculator helps you estimate the maturity amount and interest earned on your National Savings Certificate (NSC) investment. By inputting the initial investment amount and the applicable interest rate, the calculator quickly calculates the total return you can expect at the end of the 5-year lock-in period. This tool is useful for financial planning and making informed investment decisions.
Check more on National Saving Certificate from the links below:
NSC Tax Benefits | NSC Premature Withdrawal |
NSC Rules and Guidelines | Documents Required for NSC |
Post Office NSC | NSC Post Office Application Form |
NSC Maturity Certificate | NSC as Security for Your Loans |
NSC Transfer Online | NSC Calculator |
Compare NSC with other investment options from below:
Here are the steps to invest in National Saving Certificate (NSC) online and offline.
Steps to Invest in NSC Online:
Steps to Invest in NSC Offline:
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Besides NSC, you can also check and invest in other saving schemes with better returns. Check the table below with links for details:
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The current NSC Post Office interest rate is 7.7% per annum.
The NSC Post Office interest rate is typically changed quarterly by the Indian government.
NSC interest rates are fixed for the tenure of the investment.
You can use online calculators or financial tools to calculate your returns based on the principal amount, interest rate, and investment period.
Assuming the interest rate remains constant at 7.7%, ₹1 lakh invested in NSC will become approximately Rs. 1,44,903 after 5 years.
The interest rate for a 5-year NSC is the same as the current prevailing interest rate, which is currently 7.7% per annum.
No, NSC does not double in 5 years. The interest rate is not high enough for the investment to double in that timeframe.
No, the interest earned on NSC is taxable. However, the initial investment qualifies for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
No, NSC is a one-time investment and cannot be paid monthly.
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