Investments in India – 2026
Compare fixed deposits, recurring deposits, savings accounts, government saving schemes, gold, silver and mutual funds side by side — current rates, risk, liquidity, lock-in and tax — then go deeper with bank-wise pages and calculators.
Deposit rates checked 27 September 2026 · Gold & silver 26 September 2026Investment categories
Each category has a full hub with current rates, bank-wise or product-wise pages, calculators and rules.
Lock a lump sum at a guaranteed rate for 7 days – 10 years.
Save a fixed amount every month with guaranteed returns.
Market-linked growth through SIPs in equity, debt and hybrid funds.
Today’s key rates
| Investment | Rate / price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bank FD — highest | 7.45% | Bandhan Bank, 2 – <3 years |
| SBI FD — best | 6.45% | 444 days (Amrit Vrishti) |
| Bank RD — highest | 7.25% | Bandhan Bank, 2 - <3 years |
| Post Office RD | 6.7% | 5 years, sovereign |
| Savings account | 2.50% – 5.65% | Large banks 2.50%; best effective on ₹10 lakh: IDFC FIRST Bank |
| PPF | 7.1% | 15 years, tax-free (EEE) |
| Sukanya Samriddhi | 8.2% | Girl child, tax-free |
| SCSS | 8.2% | 60+, 5 years |
| NSC | 7.7% | 5 years |
| Gold 24K / 22K | ₹147,470 / ₹140,450 | Per 10 g, 26 September 2026 (excl. GST & making) |
| Silver (999) | ₹250,000 | Per kg, 26 September 2026 |
Small-savings rates for July–September 2026 (Q2 FY 2026-27); the October–December 2026 revision is due around 30 September 2026. Bank rates from each bank’s current card.
Compare all investment options
| Option | Return (now) | Risk | Liquidity | Lock-in / tenure | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savings account | 2.5% – 3% (more on large balances at some banks) | Very low | Instant | None | Slab; 80TTA/TTB (old) |
| Fixed deposit | ≈6.0% – 7.45% | Low (DICGC ₹5 lakh) | Penalty to break | 7 days – 10 yrs | Slab; TDS |
| Recurring deposit | ≈6.1% – 7.25% | Low (DICGC ₹5 lakh) | Penalty to break | 6 months – 10 yrs | Slab; TDS |
| PPF | 7.1% | Sovereign | Partial after 5 yrs | 15 yrs | Tax-free (EEE) |
| Sukanya Samriddhi | 8.2% | Sovereign | At 18 (education) / 21 | Till 21 yrs | Tax-free (EEE) |
| SCSS (60+) | 8.2% | Sovereign | Penalty to break | 5 yrs | Slab; 80C (old) |
| NPS | Market-linked | Moderate | Restricted till 60 | Till 60+ | 80CCD; partly taxable |
| Gold (ETF / fund / physical) | Market price | Moderate | High (ETF) | None | LTCG 12.5% (ETF after 12 months; funds & physical after 24) |
| Silver | Market price | High volatility | High (ETF) | None | Like gold |
| Equity mutual funds | Market-linked | High short-term | T+2 to T+3 | None (ELSS 3 yrs) | LTCG 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh; STCG 20% |
| Debt mutual funds | Market-linked | Low – moderate | T+1 to T+2 | None | Slab rate |
Where to invest — by goal and time horizon
| Goal | Horizon | Suitable options |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency fund | Instant | Savings account + sweep-in FD; liquid fund |
| Goal within 1 year | < 1 year | Short-term FD, RD, sweep-in FD |
| Goal in 1 – 3 years | 1 – 3 years | FD in the best 1–3 year bucket, RD, debt / arbitrage funds |
| Goal in 3 – 5 years | 3 – 5 years | FD ladder, NSC, Post Office TD, hybrid funds |
| Goal 5+ years away | 5+ years | Equity mutual fund SIPs, PPF, some gold |
| Child’s education / marriage | 10 – 21 years | Sukanya Samriddhi (girl), PPF, equity SIPs |
| Retirement | 15+ years | EPF/VPF, NPS, PPF, equity SIPs |
| Regular income (retired) | Ongoing | SCSS, Post Office MIS, monthly-payout FDs, SWP |
| Tax saving (old regime) | 3 – 15 years | ELSS, PPF, 5-yr tax-saver FD, NSC, NPS |
Risk, return & liquidity
Savings account, FD, RD, Post Office schemes, PPF, SSY, SCSS — returns known upfront.
Debt and hybrid funds, NPS, gold — values move, but less than equity.
Equity mutual funds and silver — best for long horizons; can fall 20%–40% in bad years.
Three checks before you invest
- Post-tax return: a 7% FD in the 30% slab yields about 5% after tax; PPF’s 7.1% is tax-free.
- Liquidity: can you get money in a day, a week, or only after years?
- Safety: sovereign guarantee, DICGC insurance up to ₹5 lakh, or market risk?
Tax on investments (FY 2026-27)
| Investment | Tax on returns | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FD / RD / savings interest | Added to income, taxed at slab rate | TDS on FD/RD above ₹50,000 (₹1 lakh seniors) |
| PPF, SSY, EPF | Exempt (EEE) | Deduction on deposit in old regime |
| NSC, SCSS, POTD, KVP | Interest taxable | NSC / SCSS / 5-yr TD: 80C in old regime |
| Equity mutual funds | LTCG 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh (held > 12 months); STCG 20% | ELSS: 80C in old regime |
| Debt mutual funds (bought after 1 Apr 2023) | Slab rate irrespective of holding | — |
| Gold & silver | LTCG 12.5%: ETFs after 12 months; gold/silver funds and physical after 24 months | Short-term gains at slab rate |
Section 80C of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is Section 123 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 from tax year 2026-27. The new regime (default) allows very few deductions.
Investment calculators
How to start investing
- Build an emergency fund3–6 months of expenses in savings + sweep-in FD.
- Get insuredTerm life and health insurance before long-term investing.
- Write down goalsAmount and date for each — this decides the product.
- Pick products by horizonDeposits for short goals; PPF/EPF/NPS and equity SIPs for long goals.
- AutomateRDs and SIPs on the day after salary; review once a year.
Frequently asked questions
Which investment gives the highest return in India?
Over long periods, equity mutual funds have delivered the highest returns but with significant short-term ups and downs. Among guaranteed options today, Sukanya Samriddhi (8.2%, girl child) and SCSS (8.2%, 60+) lead, followed by NSC (7.7%) and bank FDs up to 7.45%.
What is the safest investment?
Government small-savings schemes (PPF, NSC, SCSS, SSY, Post Office deposits) carry a sovereign guarantee. Bank deposits are insured by DICGC up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank.
Where should I keep my emergency fund?
In a savings account plus a sweep-in FD or a short-term FD, so money is available within a day while earning more than a savings account.
Which investments save tax?
In the old regime: PPF, ELSS, 5-year tax-saver FD, NSC, SCSS, SSY, EPF/VPF and NPS (extra ₹50,000 under 80CCD(1B)). In the new regime, the employer’s NPS contribution is the main deduction left.
FD or mutual fund — which is better?
FDs suit short-term goals and capital safety; mutual funds suit goals 5+ years away where you can tolerate volatility. Many investors use both.
How much should I invest in gold?
Many planners suggest 5%–15% of a portfolio in gold as a diversifier; prefer gold ETFs or funds over jewellery for investment.
For education and comparison only. Market-linked returns are not guaranteed. FinancePortal is not a SEBI-registered investment adviser.