50 %. 70 % seen last quarter, reflecting the central bank’s ongoing effort to keep borrowing costs low while curbing inflation. 40 %. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and State Bank of India also match the post‑office rate, giving investors a choice between the guaranteed safety of government‑run institutions and the convenience of urban branches.
For the average salaried professional, an RD can be a low‑risk way to build a disciplined savings habit. With monthly contributions ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, the total corpus after one year can exceed ₹60,000, depending on the chosen rate and tenure. While the returns are modest compared to equity gains in the Sensex or Nifty, they provide a predictable income stream that can offset market volatility. Retail investors should note that total savings from RD investments vary with both monthly contributions and deposit periods.
A longer tenure, such as 36 months, can boost the effective yield through compounding, even if the nominal rate remains unchanged. Balancing RDs with higher‑yield instruments can help diversify a portfolio without compromising liquidity.