| Scheme | Interest (%)* | Tax breaks under | Features | |
| Post office schemes | ||||
| National Saving Certificate** | 8.00 | Sec 88 and Sec 80L | Maturity: 6 Years | Min.Investment: Rs 100 |
| Public Provident Fund*** | 8.00 | Sec 88 and Sec 10 | Maturity: 15 Years | Min.Investment: Rs 100 |
| Monthly Income Scheme | 8.00 | Sec 80L | Tenure: 6 Years | Monthly returns: Bonus after 6 yrs |
| Time Deposits | 6-25-7.50 | Sec 80L | Available for 1, 2, 3, 5 years | |
| Recurring Deposits**** | 7.25 | Sec 80L | Tenure: 5 Years | Min. Investment: Rs 10 |
| RBI funds | ||||
| RBI Relief Bond | 7.00 | Tax-free | Tenure: 5 Years | Investment limit: Rs 2 lakh |
| RBI Savings bond | 6.00 | Tax-free | Tenure: 6 Years | No investment limit |
* Assuming a 1 percentage point interest cut post Budget 2003. Sec 80L benefit:deductions up to Rs 12,000 for interest from specified securities plus additionaldeduction of Rs 3,000 for interest from G-Secs. Sec 88 benefit: Rebate for investments upto Rs 1 lakh in specified securities (maximum of Rs 70,000 in PPF);
** Compounded half-yearly; *** Compounded yearly; **** Compounded quarterly
