GST

Government Revises Interest Rates of Small Savings Scheme

On Thursday, the Central Government announced an interest rate hike on the small savings scheme for the third quarter (October-December). The new interest rate hikes will be applicable for Q3 of FY 2022-23 starting 1 October 2022 and ending on 31 December 2022.

It is the first time the government has raised interest rates on the small savings schemes since the January- March 2019 quarter. It had kept the rates unchanged since the April-June quarter of 2020 when they were slashed across schemes.

Senior Citizen Saving Scheme

The government has hiked the interest rate of the Senior Citizen Savings (CSS) scheme to 7.6% for the October-December period from 7.4%, earning 20 basis points more.

Kisan Vikas Patra Scheme

The government has hiked the interest rate of the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) scheme to 7% from 6.9%. Thus, the KVP deposits will mature in 123 months. There is a hike of ten basis points on the interest payouts of KVP. 

Post Office Time Deposit

The interest rate of the Post Office Three-Year Time Deposit is increased to 5.8% from 5.5%, a rise of 30 basis points for the third quarter of the financial year. There is a hike in the interest rate of the Post Office Two-Year Time Deposit to 5.7% from 5.5%. The Post Office Monthly Income Account Scheme interest rate is increased to 6.7% from 6.6%.

Schemes Where Interest Rates Are Not Changed

There is no change in the interest rates of the following scheme:

  • The Public Provident Fund (PPF) will continue to pay 7.1%.
  • The National Savings Certificate (NSC) interest rate will remain at 6.8%.
  • The Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme will pay an interest rate of 7.6%.
  • The interest rate on Post Office Savings Deposit, 1-Year Time Deposit, 5-Year Time Deposit and Post Office Recurring Deposit have not changed.

These small savings schemes are popular with the salaried class for tax savings. The returns of these schemes are also higher than bank fixed deposits.

For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at mayashree.acharya@clear.in

Share

Recent Posts

Mutual Funds: SIP Inflows Breach Rs 19,000-Crore Mark for the First Time in February ’24

The systematic investment plan (SIP) contribution in February 2024 has crossed a new milestone. The monthly contribution tipped at Rs…

10 months ago

Income-Tax Return: A Brief Note on Annual Information Statement (AIS)

The Income-Tax (I-T) Department has directed taxpayers to access the Annual Information Statement (AIS) via the e-filing official portal and…

10 months ago

Mutual Funds: All About SIP and Market Fluctuations

Considering the vagaries of the stock market, investors often ponder over reevaluating their strategies. Whether to continue to remain invested…

10 months ago

Income-Tax Saving Through Strategic Life Insurance Planning

Financial planning is beyond just investing wisely to save on taxes; it's also related to protecting oneself and one's loved…

10 months ago

Income-Tax Return: Here’s a Note on Tax-Saving Avenues

A salaried individual earning up to Rs 5-15 lakh as net salary on an annual basis must first take stock…

10 months ago

A Quick Take on Equity-Linked Savings Scheme

Equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS), also referred to as tax-saving schemes, are equity funds that invest a significant portion of their…

10 months ago