RD Calculator

Calculate maturity value of your Recurring Deposit

Monthly Deposit₹5,000
Interest Rate (p.a.)7%
Time Period5 yr
Maturity Value
₹0
You deposited
Interest earned
Total Deposited₹0
Interest Earned₹0
Maturity Value₹0
💡 RD interest is compounded quarterly. Interest is taxable as per your income tax slab.

What is a Recurring Deposit (RD)?

A Recurring Deposit (RD) is a savings scheme offered by banks and post offices in India where you deposit a fixed amount every month for a predetermined tenure. At maturity, you receive the total deposited amount along with the interest earned. RDs are regulated by RBI and combine the regularity of monthly savings with the higher returns of fixed deposits.

Post Office RDs offer a government-backed option with attractive rates (currently 6.7% p.a., compounded quarterly), accessible at any India Post office without the need for a savings account.

RD Interest Formula

RD interest is compounded quarterly. Each monthly instalment earns interest from the month it is deposited until maturity. The calculation treats each deposit as a mini-FD for the remaining tenure:

RD Maturity Value (each instalment compounded quarterly) M = Σ R × (1 + r/4)^(n/3)
R = Monthly instalment  |  r = Annual interest rate
n = Number of months remaining for that instalment at maturity
Sum is taken over all n instalments

RD vs SIP: Key Differences

FeatureRDSIP (Mutual Fund)
ReturnsFixed (5–7%)Market-linked (8–15%+)
RiskNoneMarket risk
DICGC InsuranceYes (up to ₹5L)No
Tax on ReturnsFully taxable at slab rateLTCG 12.5% (equity, >1yr)
Best ForShort-term goals, risk-averseLong-term wealth creation

Post Office RD vs Bank RD in India

FeaturePost Office RDBank RD
Interest Rate (2025)6.7% p.a.5.5–8.5% (varies by bank)
Tenure5 years (fixed)6 months to 10 years
Minimum Deposit₹100/month₹100–₹500/month
SafetySovereign government guaranteeDICGC insured up to ₹5L
TDSNo TDS deductedTDS if annual interest > ₹40,000
Best forSafety, no TDS paperworkFlexibility, higher rates at SFBs

Post Office RD's no-TDS advantage matters for investors in high tax brackets — no Form 15G/15H required, no TDS certificate tracking, and no deposit insurance cap given the sovereign guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Banks deduct TDS at 10% on RD interest if the total interest from a bank in a financial year exceeds ₹40,000 (₹50,000 for senior citizens). Submit Form 15G (if below 60, income below taxable limit) or Form 15H (senior citizens with income below taxable limit) to avoid TDS deduction. Post Office RDs are not subject to TDS.
Yes, most banks allow premature closure of RDs, typically after a minimum period (often 3–6 months). A penalty of 0.5% to 1% is usually deducted from the applicable interest rate. Post Office RDs can be closed after 3 years on request. Check the terms with your specific bank before opening.
Missing an RD instalment incurs a penalty — typically ₹1–2 per ₹100 per month of default. If multiple consecutive instalments are missed, the bank may close the RD prematurely. Post Office RDs allow up to 4 defaults; the 5th consecutive default results in account discontinuation (though you can revive it by paying dues + penalty).