PPF, post office savings to get higher returns from Dec 1

25 Nov 2011 Evaluate

A move, which would benefit the public provident fund (PPF) account holders, small depositors and persons keeping money in the schemes operated by post offices, the government on November 24 notified the increase in interest rates on PPF from 8 to 8.6%, and also raised the ceiling on annual contributions to the fund from Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh effective from December 01, 2011.

Interest rates on savings account in post offices would also go up to 4% from 3.5% at present. Similarly, interest rates on deposits of other maturities too would be raised from December onwards. Further, the sale of Kisan Vikas Patras (KVP) will be discontinued from November 30. There was an apprehension about KVP, which was kind of a bearer instrument, which was being used for money laundering.

In addition, the maturity period of monthly investment schemes (MIS) and National Savings Certificate (NSC) would be reduced from 6 to 5 years. MIS would earn an interest of 8.2%, but accounts opened on and after December 01, would not be entitled for bonus. Further, every Rs 100 invested in National Savings Certificate (NSC) would fetch Rs 150.90 at the end of five years. Besides, loans taken from PPFs would attract an interest of 2% per annum from December 01, 2 011.

The government has also done away with commission paid to the agents for opening PPF accounts and Senior Citizens Savings Schemes, while the agents’ commission for Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana (MPKBY) has been fixed at 4%. Besides, agency commission for all other schemes has been divided to 0.5%. The government also notified hike in the interest rate on recurring deposit schemes of post office.

The decision to increase interest rates, which is in line with the recommendations of Shyamala Gopinath Committee, would make small savings schemes more attractive and returns would be in sync with market rates. The committee had suggested that the government should notify the interest rates at the beginning of each financial year.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×