Home Calculators Government Schemes Government Schemes Popular savings, pension and protection schemes at a glance: who they suit, how long they run and how they are taxed.
01 Savings
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
A 15-year government savings account. Interest is set every quarter by the government and is tax-free. A safe base for long-term goals.
Best for Safe long-term saving
Tenure 15 years, extendable in 5-year blocks
Limit ₹500 to ₹1.5 lakh a year
Tax Deduction under 80C; interest and maturity tax-free
02 Savings
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
A savings scheme for a girl child, usually offering the highest small-savings rate. Open it before she turns 10.
Best for A daughter's education or marriage
Tenure Matures 21 years from opening
Limit ₹250 to ₹1.5 lakh a year
Tax Deduction under 80C; interest and maturity tax-free
03 Retirement
National Pension System (NPS)
A market-linked retirement account with low costs. Part of the corpus must buy an annuity at retirement.
Best for Retirement income
Tenure Until age 60
Limit No fixed upper limit
Tax Extra ₹50,000 deduction under 80CCD(1B)
04 Retirement
Atal Pension Yojana
A fixed monthly pension from age 60 for people in the unorganised sector. You pay a small monthly amount linked to your age at joining.
Best for Workers without a pension
Eligible Age 18 to 40 with a bank account
Pension ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 a month from 60
Tax Check the current rule for deductions
05 Income
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme
A 5-year scheme for people aged 60 and above that pays interest every quarter.
Best for Regular income after retirement
Tenure 5 years, extendable by 3
Limit Up to ₹30 lakh
Tax Deduction under 80C; interest is taxable
06 Income
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme
Put in a lump sum and receive interest every month. The principal comes back at maturity.
Best for Steady monthly income
Tenure 5 years
Limit ₹9 lakh single, ₹15 lakh joint
Tax Interest is taxable
07 Savings
National Savings Certificate (NSC)
A fixed-rate certificate from the post office that pays interest at maturity, with yearly interest counted as reinvested.
Best for Low-risk 5-year saving
Tenure 5 years
Limit No upper limit
Tax Deduction under 80C; interest is taxable
08 Protection
PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
A very low-cost yearly life cover linked to your bank account.
Best for Basic life cover
Cover ₹2 lakh
Eligible Age 18 to 50
Renewal Every year, auto-debit
09 Protection
PM Suraksha Bima Yojana
An accident cover for death or disability at a tiny yearly premium.
Best for Accident protection
Cover ₹2 lakh death, ₹1 lakh partial disability
Eligible Age 18 to 70
Renewal Every year, auto-debit
Rates, limits and tax rules change. Check the latest on indiapost.gov.in, your bank or the scheme's official site before you invest.
Run the numbers Try the calculators to see what these ideas mean for your money.
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