Post Office Schemes Comparison Calculator 2024-25

Why Compare Post Office Schemes? / ஏன் ஒப்பீடு செய்ய வேண்டும்?

India's post office network offers an extraordinary range of savings instruments — from monthly income plans to long-term wealth builders, from schemes for senior citizens to those for girl children. With 11 different schemes currently active under the Small Savings umbrella, most investors invest in only one or two schemes simply because they don't know the full landscape.

The challenge is real: PPF gives you EEE tax status with compounding but locks money for 15 years. NSC gives slightly higher rates but interest is taxable. SCSS pays quarterly income at 8.2% but only if you're above 60. MIS gives monthly income but no 80C. KVP doubles your money but no tax benefit. Every scheme has a distinct purpose.

This comparison page solves one specific problem: enter one amount, instantly see what every scheme does with it. No switching between calculators. No manual comparisons. Just one number, eleven answers.

ஒரே ஒரு கேள்வி: "என் ₹1,00,000 எந்த திட்டத்தில் வைத்தால் அதிகமாக வளரும்?" இந்த கேள்விக்கான பதில் திட்டம் மற்றும் உங்கள் குறிக்கோளைப் பொறுத்து மாறும். எனவே அனைத்து திட்டங்களையும் ஒரே நேரத்தில் ஒப்பீடு செய்வது அவசியம்.

All Post Office Schemes at a Glance — Rates Table 2024-25

For Monthly Income Seekers — SCSS vs MIS

If your primary goal is regular income from your post office investment, two schemes stand out: the Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) and the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS). Both pay out interest periodically without compounding, meaning your capital stays intact while income flows out.

Post Office MIS (Monthly Income Scheme) — 7.4%

MIS is the only post office scheme that pays interest every month. At 7.4% per annum, a ₹1 lakh investment generates approximately ₹617 per month. At maximum investment (₹9 lakh for single account), monthly income is approximately ₹5,550. For a joint account, the limit is ₹15 lakh — generating approximately ₹9,250/month.

MIS has no age restriction — anyone can invest. It is ideal for retirees, homemakers receiving a gift of capital, or families seeking predictable monthly cash flow without equity risk. The 5-year tenure means you get your principal back at the end. No 80C benefit. Interest received each month is added to your income and taxed at your slab rate.

மாதாந்திர வருமான திட்டம் (MIS): ₹5 லட்சம் முதலீட்டில் மாதம் ₹3,083 வருமானம். ₹9 லட்சம் (அதிகபட்சம்) வைத்தால் மாதம் ₹5,550 கிடைக்கும். 5 ஆண்டுகளில் முதலீடு திரும்பும். வரி கட்ட வேண்டும், ஆனால் நிலையான வருமானம் கிடைக்கும்.

SCSS (Senior Citizen Savings Scheme) — 8.2%

SCSS offers the highest guaranteed income rate among all post office payout schemes at 8.2% per annum. Interest is paid quarterly (April, July, October, January). On ₹1 lakh, quarterly income is ₹2,050 (approximately ₹683/month equivalent). Maximum investment per individual is ₹30 lakh — generating quarterly income of ₹61,500 (approximately ₹20,500/month equivalent).

SCSS is restricted to seniors aged 60 and above (or 55+ for VRS retirees). Interest above ₹50,000 per year is subject to TDS at 10%. Despite the tax, SCSS is the best scheme for seniors — 8.2% guaranteed, government-backed, and accessible at every post office.

MIS vs SCSS Comparison

Recommendation: If you are a senior citizen (60+), SCSS is clearly better — higher rate, 80C benefit, and larger investment limit. If you are not a senior, MIS is the only option for monthly income. Many retirees combine both: SCSS for maximum interest and MIS for monthly (vs quarterly) cash flow convenience.

For Long-Term Wealth — PPF vs Ponmagan vs SSY (Selva Magal)

Three post office schemes are specifically designed for long-term, compounding wealth creation: PPF (for everyone), Ponmagan Nidhi (for boy children in Tamil Nadu), and SSY / Selva Magal (for girl children nationwide). All three share the compound-annually structure — your annual deposit grows with interest added to principal each year.

PPF — Public Provident Fund (7.1%)

PPF is the most flexible long-term post office scheme — open to any Indian citizen regardless of age or gender. The 15-year lock-in with annual compounding at 7.1% creates significant wealth. A ₹1.5 lakh annual deposit over 15 years at 7.1% grows to approximately ₹40.68 lakh — interest earned of ₹18.18 lakh on ₹22.5 lakh invested. EEE tax status means all of it is yours to keep.

PPF allows partial withdrawals from the 7th year (up to 50% of the balance at the end of the 4th year or immediately preceding year, whichever is lower). Loans against PPF are available from the 3rd to 6th year. The account can be extended in 5-year blocks after 15 years with continued deposits.

Selva Magal / SSY — Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (8.2%)

SSY offers 1.1 percentage points more than PPF (8.2% vs 7.1%) — a significant difference over 21 years. The EEE tax status is identical to PPF. For a ₹1.5 lakh annual deposit, the 21-year maturity amount at 8.2% is approximately ₹69 lakh — more than double the PPF maturity for the same annual deposit. The compounding over 21 years (vs PPF's 15) amplifies this further.

The trade-off: SSY is exclusively for girl children below age 10. Deposits are made for 15 years; the account matures at 21 years from opening — giving 6 additional years of interest accumulation without deposits.

Ponmagan Nidhi — Tamil Nadu Boy Child Scheme (9.7%)

Ponmagan Nidhi is Tamil Nadu's response to SSY for boy children. At 9.7% annual compound interest — the highest rate of any post office scheme in the country — it dramatically outperforms both PPF and SSY for those eligible. It carries 80C deduction on deposits and is believed to carry EEE status similar to SSY (verify with your post office for the latest tax treatment).

பொன்மகன் நிதி: ₹50,000 ஆண்டு வைப்பு, 15 ஆண்டுகளில் 9.7% வட்டியில் தோராயமாக ₹17.5 லட்சம் கிடைக்கும். PPF-இல் அதே ₹50,000 வைப்பிட்டால் 15 ஆண்டுகளில் ₹13.5 லட்சம் மட்டுமே கிடைக்கும். வித்தியாசம் பெரியது — ஆண்டுக்கு ₹27,000 அதிக வருவாய்.

Long-Term Scheme Comparison (₹1 lakh/year)

For Lump-Sum Investors — NSC vs KVP vs PO TD

If you have a lump sum to invest rather than making regular deposits, three schemes are designed for you: NSC (National Savings Certificate), KVP (Kisan Vikas Patra), and Post Office Time Deposits. All three accept a one-time investment and return a maturity amount after their respective tenures.

NSC — National Savings Certificate (7.7%, 5 years)

NSC is a certificate issued by the post office for a fixed 5-year term. You invest a lump sum; at 7.7% compounded annually, ₹1 lakh becomes approximately ₹1,44,903 after 5 years. NSC qualifies for Section 80C deduction on the investment amount. The interest is technically taxable — but since it's deemed to be reinvested, it also qualifies for 80C each year, effectively offsetting the tax for most investors in 30% bracket.

NSC has no maximum limit. It can be purchased in multiples of ₹100. NSC certificates can also be pledged as collateral for bank loans, which is a unique advantage. Premature redemption is not allowed except in case of death or court order.

KVP — Kisan Vikas Patra (7.5%, ~9.6 years)

KVP has the simplest promise in all of finance: your money doubles. At 7.5% (2024-25), ₹1 lakh invested in KVP becomes ₹2 lakh in approximately 115 months (9 years 7 months). There is no annual deposit, no tracking of interest rate — you simply invest and wait for the doubling period to end. No 80C benefit. Interest is taxable.

KVP is particularly popular for those who don't want to track interest rates or do calculations — the doubling certificate is psychologically simple and reassuring. KVP has no maximum investment limit and can be purchased in ₹1,000 multiples.

Post Office TD (Time Deposit) — 1yr: 6.9%, 5yr: 7.5%

Post Office Time Deposits are the post office equivalent of bank Fixed Deposits. Available in 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year tenures. The 5-year TD qualifies for Section 80C. Interest is compounded quarterly, making the effective yield slightly higher than the nominal rate. Key advantage over bank FDs: sovereign guarantee beyond the ₹5 lakh DICGC insurance limit for banks.

The 5-year Post Office TD at 7.5% with quarterly compounding has an effective annual yield of approximately 7.71% — slightly better than the nominal rate and competitive with NSC (7.7%). The key difference: TD interest is fully taxable with no deemed reinvestment benefit like NSC.

Lump-Sum Scheme Comparison

Special Schemes — Mahila Samman, Ponmagan Nidhi, Selva Magal

Mahila Samman Savings Certificate — For Women and Girls

The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate was announced in Union Budget 2023 as a one-time scheme available from April 2023 to March 2025. It offered 7.5% interest with quarterly compounding for a 2-year tenure. Maximum investment: ₹2 lakh per account. Exclusively for women and girls (account in the name of a woman/girl).

As of April 2025, new Mahila Samman accounts can no longer be opened. Existing accounts continue until their 2-year maturity date (April 2025 to March 2027 for accounts opened in the final months). If you opened one before March 2025, your ₹2 lakh will mature to approximately ₹2,31,928 at 7.5% quarterly compounding over 2 years.

மஹிளா சம்மான் சேமிப்பு சான்றிதழ்: 2023 ஏப்ரல் முதல் 2025 மார்ச் வரை மட்டுமே கணக்கு திறக்கலாம். இப்போது புதிய கணக்கு திறக்க முடியாது. ஏற்கனவே திறந்த கணக்குகள் 2 ஆண்டு மெச்சூரிட்டி வரை தொடர்கின்றன.

Ponmagan Nidhi (பொன்மகன் நிதி) — Tamil Nadu Boy Child Scheme

Ponmagan Nidhi is a Tamil Nadu state government scheme for boy children, similar to SSY for girl children. At 9.7% annual compound interest, it is the highest-yielding post office scheme available. Available at Tamil Nadu post offices for boy children under 10 years of age. Annual deposits qualify for Section 80C deduction. The scheme runs for 15 years with annual compounding.

A ₹1 lakh annual deposit over 15 years at 9.7% grows to approximately ₹35 lakh at maturity — compared to ₹27.1 lakh in PPF (at 7.1%). The 2.6 percentage point advantage compounds dramatically over 15 years, creating approximately ₹8 lakh more wealth from the same annual investment.

Selva Magal (SSY) — Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for Girl Children

Selva Magal (செல்வ மகள்) is the Tamil name for Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana — the central government's flagship girl child savings scheme. At 8.2% annual compounding with EEE tax status, it offers the best after-tax returns of any scheme for a girl child's 21-year savings goal. Annual deposits up to ₹1.5 lakh; minimum ₹250. Account matures at 21 years from opening; deposits required for only the first 15 years.

The Selva Magal / SSY scheme's EEE status makes it uniquely powerful: the tax savings on 80C deductions add an effective 2–3% to the post-tax yield for investors in the 20–30% income tax bracket. An 8.2% pre-tax EEE return effectively equals approximately 10–11% pre-tax from a fully taxable instrument for a 30% bracket investor.

Tax Treatment Comparison — EEE vs EET vs Taxable

Understanding the tax treatment of each post office scheme is critical to choosing the right one. There are three distinct categories:

EEE Schemes — Triple Tax Exempt

EEE (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) means: investment qualifies for 80C deduction (Exempt), interest earned is tax-free (Exempt), and maturity amount is tax-free (Exempt). Only PPF and SSY (Selva Magal) carry confirmed EEE status among central government schemes. Ponmagan Nidhi is believed to have EEE status (verify with your post office).

For an investor in the 30% tax bracket who invests ₹1.5 lakh/year: 80C deduction alone saves ₹45,000/year. Over 15 years: ₹6.75 lakh in tax savings just from deductions, not counting the tax-free interest and maturity.

Partial Exempt — 80C on Investment, Taxable Interest

Most 80C-eligible schemes fall here: NSC, SCSS, Post Office 5-Year TD. Investment qualifies for 80C deduction (saving tax on the amount invested), but the interest you earn is added to your income and taxed at your slab rate each year. NSC has a unique feature — interest is deemed reinvested and qualifies for 80C again each year (effectively making the interest tax-neutral for those with 80C headroom).

Fully Taxable — No 80C, Taxable Interest

MIS, KVP, RD, PO TD (1yr/2yr/3yr), and Mahila Samman fall here. No 80C deduction on investment. Interest is fully taxable at your income slab rate. These schemes are suitable when: your 80C limit is already exhausted; you need short-term parking of funds; or the scheme's specific benefits (monthly income, doubling guarantee) outweigh the tax disadvantage.

Liquidity Comparison — Which Schemes Allow Early Exit?

Liquidity — the ability to get your money out before the intended tenure — varies significantly across post office schemes. Here is the full picture:

Most liquid: PO TD (after 6 months), KVP (after 2.5 years), SCSS (after 1 year with penalty). Least liquid: NSC (practically no early exit), SSY (highly restricted). Best balance of liquidity and returns: PPF with its loan facility and partial withdrawals from year 7.

How to Split ₹5 Lakh Across Multiple Schemes — Sample Portfolio

One of the most common questions is: "I have ₹5 lakh. How should I split it across post office schemes?" There is no single answer — it depends on your age, income, tax bracket, need for liquidity, and whether you have dependent children. Here are three model portfolios:

Portfolio A — Working Professional (Age 35, No Senior Status)

Portfolio B — Retiree (Age 60+, Monthly Income Focus)

Portfolio C — Parent with Daughter (Age 30, Girl Child Age 5)

ஒரு குடும்பத்திற்கு சிறந்த உத்தி: PPF அல்லது பொன்மகன்/செல்வ மகள் மூலம் நீண்ட கால சேமிப்பு, NSC அல்லது TD மூலம் நடுத்தர சேமிப்பு, MIS அல்லது SCSS மூலம் மாதாந்திர வருமானம் — இவற்றை ஒருங்கிணைத்து முதலீடு செய்வது சிறந்தது.

How to Open Multiple Post Office Accounts in Coimbatore

Coimbatore has an excellent post office network with the Head Post Office on Mettupalayam Road and numerous sub-post offices across the city. Here is a practical guide for residents:

Coimbatore Post Offices That Handle All Savings Schemes

• Coimbatore Head Post Office — Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641001. Handles all schemes including PPF, NSC, KVP, SCSS, MIS, RD, TD, SSY. Full-service with dedicated savings counter.
• RS Puram Sub Post Office — Handles all major schemes. Popular for SSY and PPF accounts.
• Peelamedu Sub Post Office — Serves IT corridor residents in Coimbatore. All schemes available.
• Singanallur Post Office — Covers eastern Coimbatore. Good for new RD and MIS accounts.
• Gandhipuram Post Office — Central Coimbatore. High-traffic office with all scheme options.
• Podanur Sub Post Office — Serves south Coimbatore. All schemes.
• Saibaba Colony Post Office — Popular with families for SSY and PPF accounts.
• Ukkadam Post Office — Busy sub-office covering central-south Coimbatore.

Which Schemes Can Also Be Opened at Banks in Coimbatore?

PPF, SSY (Selva Magal), and SCSS can also be opened at authorized banks. In Coimbatore, these banks offer post office small savings scheme accounts: State Bank of India (all branches), Indian Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, IDFC First Bank. NSC, KVP, TD, MIS, RD — these must be opened at post offices only, not banks.

Step-by-Step: Opening Multiple Schemes in One Visit

1. Open a Post Office Savings Account first — this is the base account linked to all other schemes. Minimum balance ₹500. Brings a cancelled cheque from this account.
2. Fill scheme-specific forms simultaneously — most post offices let you fill forms for multiple schemes at once. Carry 4–5 copies of all documents.
3. Bring one consolidated set of documents: Aadhaar card (original + 4 copies), PAN card (original + 4 copies), 8 passport-size photos, and the deposit amounts in cash or cheques.
4. For PPF/SSY/SCSS at bank — visit your bank branch with the same documents. The bank's process may be faster with online access from day one.
5. Link all accounts to your post office savings account — this enables easy inter-account transfers and auto-debit for monthly schemes like RD.

Frequently Asked Questions / அடிக்கடி கேட்கப்படும் கேள்விகள்