What is a Fixed Deposit (FD)?
A Fixed Deposit (FD) is one of the most popular and safest investment options in India. When you open an FD, you deposit a lump sum amount with a bank or NBFC for a predetermined period at a fixed interest rate. At maturity, you receive your principal along with the accumulated interest.
Fixed deposits are offered by all commercial banks, cooperative banks, post offices, and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India. Deposits up to ₹5,00,000 per depositor per bank are insured by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), making FDs one of the safest places to park your money.
- Guaranteed returns at a fixed interest rate, unaffected by market fluctuations
- Flexible tenure from 7 days to 10 years, depending on the bank
- Senior citizens (60+) get an additional 0.25% to 0.50% interest rate
- Tax-saving FDs with a 5-year lock-in qualify for Section 80C deduction up to ₹1,50,000
- Premature withdrawal allowed with a small penalty (0.5-1% on applicable rate)
How is FD Interest Calculated?
FD interest is calculated using the compound interest formula. Most Indian banks compound interest quarterly, meaning interest is added to your principal every three months, and subsequent interest is calculated on the new total.
Maturity = P x (1 + r/n)^(n x t)
P = Principal amount (your deposit)
r = Annual interest rate (as a decimal, so 7% = 0.07)
n = Compounding frequency per year (4 for quarterly, 12 for monthly)
t = Tenure in years
For example, with quarterly compounding, the bank adds interest to your principal four times a year. This means you earn "interest on interest" every quarter, which results in a slightly higher effective return than the stated rate. A 7% FD with quarterly compounding gives an effective annual yield of approximately 7.19%.
FD Calculation with Example
Let's calculate the maturity amount for a fixed deposit of ₹5,00,000 at 7% interest for 3 years with quarterly compounding.
Principal (P): ₹5,00,000
Interest Rate (r): 7% per annum
Compounding: Quarterly (n = 4)
Tenure (t): 3 years
Maturity = 5,00,000 x (1 + 0.07/4)^(4 x 3)
Maturity = 5,00,000 x (1.0175)^12
Maturity Amount: ₹6,15,720
Total Interest Earned: ₹1,15,720
In this example, you earn ₹1,15,720 in interest on a ₹5 lakh deposit over 3 years. The effective annual yield works out to 7.19% due to quarterly compounding, which is slightly higher than the stated 7% rate. If you are in the 30% tax bracket, TDS of 10% will be deducted on the interest, reducing your net interest to approximately ₹1,04,148. To understand how TDS affects your overall tax liability, use our TDS calculator.
Why are Fixed Deposits Important?
Fixed deposits remain the most popular savings instrument in India, with over ₹200 lakh crore in outstanding bank deposits as of 2025. Here is why FDs continue to be a cornerstone of Indian personal finance:
- Capital protection: Unlike mutual funds or stocks, your principal in an FD is guaranteed. Bank FDs up to ₹5 lakh are insured by DICGC. This makes FDs ideal for parking emergency funds or money you cannot afford to lose
- Predictable returns: The interest rate is locked in at the time of deposit. You know exactly how much you will receive at maturity, which makes financial planning straightforward
- Business cash management: Restaurant and small business owners regularly use FDs to park surplus cash from peak seasons. Instead of leaving excess revenue in a current account earning zero interest, a short-term FD generates returns while keeping the money accessible
- Loan collateral: FDs can be pledged as security for loans. Banks offer loans up to 90% of FD value at interest rates 1-2% above the FD rate, which is cheaper than most unsecured business loans
- Regular income option: Non-cumulative FDs pay interest monthly, quarterly, or annually, providing a steady income stream. This is especially useful for retired business owners or as supplementary income
How to Use This FD Calculator
This free FD calculator helps you project your maturity amount based on your deposit details. Here is how to use it:
- Step 1: Enter your deposit amount. There is no upper limit for regular FDs, but tax-saving FDs are capped at ₹1,50,000 per year
- Step 2: Enter the annual interest rate offered by your bank. Check your bank's website for current rates as they vary by bank and tenure
- Step 3: Set the tenure in years and months. Most banks offer FDs from 7 days to 10 years
- Step 4: Choose the compounding frequency. Quarterly is standard for most Indian banks
- Step 5: Select whether you are a general depositor or a senior citizen (60+) to see the TDS threshold difference
Download the PDF report for a complete breakdown including TDS impact, post-tax returns, and comparison with other investment options. You can also use our PPF calculator to compare FD returns with tax-free PPF returns.
FD Interest Rates in India 2026
Fixed deposit rates vary significantly across banks and tenures. Here are the current rates offered by major banks for general customers (senior citizens get an additional 0.25-0.50%):
SBI: 6.50% to 7.10% (1 year to 5 years)
HDFC Bank: 6.60% to 7.25% (1 year to 5 years)
ICICI Bank: 6.70% to 7.20% (1 year to 5 years)
Axis Bank: 6.70% to 7.20% (1 year to 5 years)
Kotak Mahindra: 6.20% to 7.30% (1 year to 5 years)
Small Finance Banks: 7.50% to 8.50% (typically higher rates)
Post Office TD: 6.90% to 7.50% (1 to 5 years)
FD rates in India are influenced by the RBI repo rate, which was reduced to 6.00% in April 2025 and may have been revised further since. When the RBI cuts the repo rate, banks typically reduce FD rates, and vice versa. Restaurant owners looking for higher returns can consider small finance banks, though they should verify DICGC coverage. For managing your business finances efficiently, explore how Petpooja Invoice simplifies billing and financial tracking.
TDS on Fixed Deposits
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is applicable on FD interest when it exceeds a certain threshold in a financial year. Understanding TDS rules helps you plan your FD investments for maximum post-tax returns.
- TDS threshold: TDS of 10% is deducted if total interest from all FDs in a bank exceeds ₹40,000 per year. For senior citizens (60+), the threshold is ₹50,000
- Without PAN: If you do not provide your PAN to the bank, TDS is deducted at 20% instead of 10%
- Form 15G/15H: If your total income is below the taxable limit, submit Form 15G (under 60) or Form 15H (60+) to your bank at the start of each financial year to avoid TDS deduction entirely
- Tax on interest: FD interest is fully taxable and is added to your total income. It is taxed as per your applicable income tax slab
- Section 80TTB: Senior citizens can claim a deduction of up to ₹50,000 on interest income from FDs, savings accounts, and post office deposits under Section 80TTB
For business owners with multiple FDs across banks, tracking TDS and filing returns accurately is essential. Understanding how GST return calculations work alongside income tax obligations helps you stay compliant on both fronts.
FD vs PPF vs Other Investments
Choosing between FD and other instruments depends on your investment horizon, risk appetite, and tax bracket. Here is a practical comparison:
Fixed Deposit: Guaranteed returns, flexible tenure (7 days to 10 years), no upper limit, interest fully taxable. Best for short to medium-term goals and emergency fund parking. Post-tax return at 30% bracket: 4.9% (on a 7% FD)
PPF: 7.1% with EEE tax status (100% tax-free), 15-year lock-in, max ₹1.5L/year. Best for long-term tax-free wealth building. Effective pre-tax equivalent at 30% bracket: 10.14%. Use our PPF calculator to compare
Savings Account: 2.5-4% interest, fully liquid, interest up to ₹10,000 exempt under 80TTA. Best for daily operational needs
Debt Mutual Funds: 6-8% average returns, market-linked (not guaranteed), taxed at slab rate (indexation benefit removed from April 2023). Best for investors comfortable with NAV fluctuations
For restaurant and business owners, FDs serve a different purpose than long-term investments like PPF. Use FDs for parking surplus seasonal revenue, maintaining security deposits, or building a predictable income stream through non-cumulative payouts. Automate your payroll deductions and financial calculations with Attendo (formerly Petpooja Payroll) to free up time for investment planning.