The month of October has brought many changes, but there are some things that will remain unchanged. One of these is the Public Provident Fund (PPF) interest rates, which will remain unchanged this quarter.

The beginning of October has brought many changes. Many banks have revised interest rates. Several government schemes have also undergone changes. From LPG and CNG rates to RBI regulations, numerous changes have occurred. In this context, people suspected that the government would also change the interest rates on the Public Provident Fund (PPF).

But that's not the case. The government has maintained the PPF interest rate at 7.1% annually for the October-December 2026 quarter. This means there has been no increase or decrease in the PPF interest rate since October 1. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, announced this on September 30.

This government decision means that the returns of existing PPF investors and those making new investments will remain unaffected
PPF offers long-term savings with government guarantees and tax benefits.

The government reviews
interest rates on small savings schemes every three months. This time, the PPF rate has been set at 7.1%. This review also includes rates for other small savings schemes like the NSC, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme. However, a quarterly review does not mean that PPF interest is credited to the account every three months. PPF interest is determined by the rules based on the balance in the account and is credited once a year.

What is the PPF scheme?
It's a long-term savings scheme. It's a government scheme, so it's safe. People enjoy investing in this scheme. A minimum deposit of ₹500 or a maximum of ₹1.5 lakh can be made in a financial year. The initial term of a PPF account is 15 years, and it can be extended for 5 years thereafter.

PC: ABPNews