Indian financial products, explained without the sales pitch
Plain-language detail on how each option works, what it pays, when you can get your money back, and what can go wrong — with the official sources to check.
Different kinds of product, each with its own rules about what you are promised and what you can do with your money.
Collections that cut across categories — organised by what you might actually be trying to do.
Structures that pay out on a regular schedule instead of at maturity — useful if you need cash flow rather than growth.
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A dated government bond paying a fixed 6.20% coupon twice a year and repaying the face value in 2029.
6.8845%Market yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A five-year government bond paying 6.36% twice a year, with the face value repaid in 2031.
7.1699%Market yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A ten-year government bond paying 6.94% twice a year, with the face value repaid in 2036.
7.3865%Market yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A fifteen-year government bond paying 7.06% twice a year, with the face value repaid in 2041.
7.5379%Market yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Issued or run by a government body. Different rules from bank deposits, and generally a longer lock-in.
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A six-month government borrowing bought at a discount and repaid at face value.
6.2896%Cut-off yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A one-year government borrowing bought at a discount and repaid at face value, with no payments in between.
6.4891%Cut-off yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A dated government bond paying a fixed 6.20% coupon twice a year and repaying the face value in 2029.
6.8845%Market yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Government of India — via RBI Retail Direct
A five-year government bond paying 6.36% twice a year, with the face value repaid in 2031.
7.1699%Market yield · as of 15 Oct 2026
Products built around a tax deduction, usually with a lock-in attached. Confirm current rules before relying on any of it.
Government of India — small savings scheme
A five-year certificate that compounds interest annually and pays the whole amount at maturity.
7.70%Interest rate · as of 1 Oct 2026
Government of India — small savings scheme
A five-year deposit, like a bank fixed deposit but with the post office, paying a notified rate and qualifying for a tax deduction.
7.50%Interest rate · as of 1 Oct 2026
Government of India — small savings scheme
A 15-year account where the government pays a notified rate, revised every quarter, and the maturity amount is tax-free.
7.10%Interest rate · as of 1 Oct 2026
Government of India — small savings scheme
A five-year deposit for people aged 60 and above that pays interest every quarter.
8.20%Interest rate · as of 1 Oct 2026
Almost every product falls into one of these three buckets. Knowing which one you are looking at answers most of the important questions.
Guaranteed
Fixed by contract
The amount you get back is stated in the product's terms when you open it. It does not move with markets or with how the provider performs.
Ask yourself
Conditional
Depends on terms being met
There is a payout structure, but the amount depends on conditions — a reference rate, a minimum holding period, a bonus that applies only if you stay to the end, or a market level at a specific date.
Ask yourself
Market-linked
No promised return
The value of your investment moves with the market. There is no promised return and no capital guarantee — the amount you get back depends on the price when you sell.
Ask yourself
Put them side by side — minimum investment, tenure, payout, access to your money, risk and tax.