India Post currently offers interest at the rate of 6.9-7.7%on investment in the Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD) or fixed deposit –at designated post office branches. The interest rates applicable to smallsavings schemes such as Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD) are currentlyreviewed by the Ministry of Finance on a quarterly basis.

For the quarter ending December 31 the third quarter of thecurrent financial year, the finance ministry retained the interest rates atexisting levels in September 2019. The Post Office Time Deposit Account (TD) ispart of the nine government-run small savings schemes.

India Post currently offers the time deposit or fixeddeposit account in four maturity options: one year, two years, three years andfive years.

For the third quarter of the current financial year, investment in each of the one-three year options of time deposits fetches interest at the rate of 6.9%. Investment in the fourth option the five-year Post Office Time Deposit Account fetches a return of 7.7%/812.

For opening an account under the Post Office Time Depositscheme, one needs to invest a minimum of Rs 1,000, according to the India Postwebsite – indiapost.gov.in. Any higher amount in the multiple of Rs 100 can beused to set up a TD account. There is no upper limit for the investment.

The Post Office Time Deposit Account is available in single and joint modes of operation. The account can be transferred from one post office to another, according to the India Post website.

Investment under the five-years Post Office Time Deposit Account qualifies for deduction in taxable income under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.