NSC Calculator (National Savings Certificate)
Maturity value and year-by-year interest of a 5-year NSC at the Oct-Dec 2026 rate of 7.7%, with every NSC rate since 2012.
The NSC interest rate for Oct-Dec 2026 is 7.7%, unchanged since April 2023 (it was 7.0% before that). ₹1 lakh in a National Savings Certificate grows to about ₹1,44,903 after 5 years, compounded yearly and paid in one go at maturity.
The words on this page, explained simply
New to this? Here is what each term means, in plain English.
- NSC (National Savings Certificate)
- A 5-year post office deposit. Interest is added every year and paid with your money at the end.
- Small savings rate
- The interest rate the Ministry of Finance sets every quarter for post office schemes such as PPF, SSY, NSC and SCSS. Most schemes lock it in when you open; PPF and SSY use each quarter's rate.
- Compounding
- Earning returns on your earlier returns. ₹1 lakh growing at 10% a year becomes ₹1.1 lakh after a year; the next 10% is earned on ₹1.1 lakh, not ₹1 lakh. Over many years this snowballs, which is why starting early matters so much.
- Maturity
- The day a deposit or scheme ends and pays you out. The maturity value is what you get that day.
- Section 80C (now section 123)
- An income-tax rule that lets you cut your taxable income by up to ₹1.5 lakh a year for money put into PPF, EPF, ELSS funds, 5-year post office deposits and similar. Called section 80C in the 1961 Act and section 123 in the Income-tax Act, 2025 (from April 2026). Old tax regime only.
- Tax slab
- The income-tax rate for your income band. Dividends are added to your income and taxed at your slab rate.
The National Savings Certificate (NSC VIII issue) is a 5-year post office deposit. Interest compounds every year and is paid only at maturity, together with your money. The rate you buy at stays fixed for the full 5 years.
₹1 lakh in NSC, year by year
| Year | Interest accrued that year | Value at year end |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ₹7,700 | ₹1,07,700 |
| 2 | ₹8,293 | ₹1,15,993 |
| 3 | ₹8,931 | ₹1,24,924 |
| 4 | ₹9,619 | ₹1,34,544 |
| 5 | ₹10,360 | ₹1,44,903 |
NSC interest rate history
| Period | Interest rate |
|---|---|
| 1 Apr 2023 to now | 7.7% |
| 1 Jan 2023 to 31 Mar 2023 | 7.0% |
| 1 Apr 2020 to 31 Dec 2022 | 6.8% |
| 1 Jul 2019 to 31 Mar 2020 | 7.9% |
| 1 Jan 2019 to 30 Jun 2019 | 8.0% |
| 1 Oct 2018 to 31 Dec 2018 | 8.0% |
| 1 Jan 2018 to 30 Sep 2018 | 7.6% |
| 1 Jul 2017 to 31 Dec 2017 | 7.8% |
| 1 Apr 2017 to 30 Jun 2017 | 7.9% |
| 1 Oct 2016 to 31 Mar 2017 | 8.0% |
| 1 Apr 2016 to 30 Sep 2016 | 8.1% |
| 1 Apr 2013 to 31 Mar 2016 | 8.5% |
| 1 Apr 2012 to 31 Mar 2013 | 8.6% |
| 1 Dec 2011 to 31 Mar 2012 | 8.4% |
Rates from the National Savings Institute (Ministry of Finance) rate history and India Post's current rates; the Oct-Dec 2026 rates were confirmed by the Ministry of Finance memorandum of 30 September 2026.
Rules and tax
Minimum ₹1,000, in multiples of ₹100, with no maximum. Single or joint (up to three adults); a guardian can buy for a minor. Certificates can be pledged with banks for a loan.
The amount invested qualifies for the section 80C/123 deduction in the old tax regime. Interest is taxable; because it is not paid out until maturity, many taxpayers declare it each year as it accrues.
Key takeaways
- NSC pays 7.7% for Oct-Dec 2026, compounded yearly, paid at maturity.
- ₹1 lakh becomes about ₹1,44,903 in 5 years.
- Minimum ₹1,000, no maximum; 80C/123 on the deposit in the old regime.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NSC interest rate now?
7.7% a year for Oct-Dec 2026, unchanged since April 2023. The rate at purchase applies for all 5 years.
What will ₹1 lakh in NSC become?
About ₹1,44,903 after 5 years at 7.7%, compounded yearly.
Is NSC interest paid every year?
No. It compounds yearly and is paid with the principal at maturity.
Is NSC interest taxable?
Yes, at your slab rate. The amount invested qualifies for section 80C/123 in the old regime.