NSC Calculator
Free NSC calculator for India. Project the maturity of a National Savings Certificate at the current 7.7 percent rate over the five year tenure. Updated for FY 2025 to 2026.
The National Savings Certificate, or NSC, is a five year cumulative deposit issued by India Post and authorised banks. You park a one time amount, the interest accrues annually at the notified rate (currently 7.7 percent for FY 2025 to 2026 Q4) and is reinvested every year so that it qualifies for Section 80C deduction. The principal plus all accrued interest is paid out at maturity at the end of year five. This calculator projects the maturity value and the year by year accrual.
National Savings Certificate
Tenure is fixed at 5 years. Interest reinvested in years 1–4 qualifies for 80C.
Why use the NSC Calculator
NSC sits in a useful niche. It is fully sovereign backed, the rate is locked in for the full five years at the rate prevailing on the date of purchase, and the annual interest reinvestment effectively gives you a fresh 80C deduction each year for the first four years. For salaried taxpayers who have already exhausted PPF for the year, NSC is one of the cleanest ways to use up remaining 80C bandwidth without a long lock in. The calculator shows exactly what a given lump sum becomes after five years and how much 80C credit it generates each year.
Benefits at a glance
Maturity at the locked rate
The rate prevailing on the purchase date stays for the full five year tenure even if subsequent quarters revise it. The default is 7.7 percent for FY 2025 to 2026 Q4, with annual compounding.
Section 80C friendly each year
Annual interest is reinvested rather than paid out, so it qualifies for fresh Section 80C deduction in the first four years. Only the year five interest is taxable in the year of maturity.
Sovereign safety, fixed tenure
NSC carries the Government of India guarantee. There is no market risk and no surprise on maturity. Useful for short term goals five years out.
No annual deposit cap
Unlike PPF's ₹1,50,000 ceiling, you can buy NSC for any amount in multiples of ₹100. Only the 80C cap of ₹1,50,000 limits the tax benefit.
Free, private and instant
Inputs never leave your browser. No login, no tracking, no email collection.
How to use the NSC Calculator
- 1
Enter the deposit amount
Any amount from ₹1,000 onwards in multiples of ₹100. There is no upper limit. To maximise the 80C benefit, most savers cap NSC purchases so the cumulative 80C usage stays at ₹1,50,000.
- 2
Confirm the tenure
NSC has a fixed five year tenure. The calculator does not allow shorter or longer terms because the instrument itself does not.
- 3
Adjust the interest rate if needed
Default is 7.7 percent, the FY 2025 to 2026 Q4 notified rate. The rate is locked at the time of purchase for the full five year term, even if subsequent quarters change it.
- 4
Read the maturity
The maturity value is the amount paid out at the end of year five. The year by year table shows the accrued interest each year, useful for reporting Section 80C reinvestment in your return.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NSC interest rate?
7.7 percent per annum for FY 2025 to 2026 Q4, compounded annually. The rate is notified quarterly by the Ministry of Finance but the rate prevailing on the date of purchase is locked in for the full five year tenure of the certificate.
Is NSC eligible for Section 80C?
Yes. The initial deposit qualifies for Section 80C deduction in the year of purchase, up to the overall ₹1,50,000 cap. The annual interest accrued in the first four years is reinvested and also qualifies for 80C deduction in the year of accrual. Only the interest accrued in the fifth and final year is taxable.
Is NSC interest taxable?
Yes, interest is taxable as income from other sources in the year of accrual, but the reinvestment in years one to four offsets that with a fresh 80C deduction. Year five interest is taxable without offset. There is no TDS on NSC interest because it is a post office instrument.
Can I withdraw NSC before maturity?
Premature withdrawal is allowed only in limited cases: death of the holder, forfeiture by a pledgee, or order of a court. In normal circumstances NSC must run the full five years. This is the trade off for the locked rate.
NSC versus PPF, which is better?
PPF runs fifteen years, has a tax free maturity and an annual cap of ₹1,50,000. NSC runs five years, has a taxable year five interest and no upper cap. NSC is better for shorter goals and for using up 80C bandwidth after PPF is full. PPF is better for long term tax free debt building.
Can NSC be pledged for a loan?
Yes. Banks accept NSC certificates as collateral for loans, typically up to seventy five percent of the face value. Useful if you need short term liquidity without breaking the certificate.
Can NRIs buy NSC?
No. NSC is restricted to resident Indian individuals. Existing NSCs purchased while resident continue to maturity, but no new NSC can be bought after becoming an NRI.
Final word
NSC is a simple, sovereign backed five year deposit that doubles as a clean 80C tool. The calculator shows the exact maturity, the year by year interest accrual and the reinvested 80C credit. Use it to decide how much NSC to buy alongside PPF, EPF and ELSS, and verify the numbers and your tax position with a qualified financial advisor before committing.
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