PPF vs NSC vs SCSS: Which Is Best for Middle-Class Investors in 2026? Check Latest Rates

The interest rates for the Public Provident Fund (PPF), Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS), National Savings Certificate (NSC), and Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSY) have remained unchanged following today’s quarterly review meeting of the Ministry of Finance and these rates will continue until the end of March 2023.

In today’s quarterly meeting of the Ministry of Finance, it was decided that all interest rates related to small savings schemes (also referred to as ‘Post Office Small Savings Schemes’) would remain the same as they have been previously published for this quarter and therefore all current interest rates for PPF, SCSS, NSC, and SSY will remain as they are until the end of March 2023.

As per the notification issued by the ministry, the interest rate on the PPF (public provident fund) will be unchanged at 7.10%. The SCSS (senior citizens’ savings scheme) and SSY (sukanya samriddhi account) will continue with their current interest rates of 8.20%.

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The interest rate on Post Office Savings Deposits will be 4 percent, while the interest rate on Time Deposit Schemes will be between 6.7 percent and 7.5 percent.

Accessibility plays a role in convenience.

Banks:

You can open a PPF account at any branch of the State Bank of India, even if you don’t have an existing account with them. Many other nationalized banks are also authorized to offer PPF accounts. It would be advisable to check with your preferred bank.

Post Offices:

You can also open a PPF account at the head post office in your vicinity or at selection grade sub-post offices.

Post Offices:

NSCs are primarily available for purchase at any post office across India, making them widely accessible.

An SCSS account is a special deposit account opened by an eligible senior citizen at an authorised bank or post office in India. It offers a competitive interest rate, fixed deposit tenure, and multiple tax benefits.