Features of Post Office FD Calculator

• Official current rates — 1, 2, 3, and 5-year Post Office Time Deposit rates as notified by the Ministry of Finance, displayed as clickable cards
• Accurate quarterly-compounding formula — uses the exact same calculation method India Post uses (A = P × (1 + r/4)^(4t)), not a simplified approximation
• Reinvested vs. annual payout comparison — see what your deposit grows to if left untouched, or how much you’d receive each year if you take the payout instead
• Year-by-year breakdown table — track exactly how much interest accrues in each year of your tenure, not just the final maturity number
• Effective annual yield — shows the true yield after quarterly compounding, which is always slightly higher than the quoted headline rate
• Automatic Section 80C flag — the calculator highlights when your selected tenure (5 years) qualifies for a tax deduction
• Rupee-formatted input with slider — enter an exact amount or drag to adjust, with proper Indian numbering (lakhs/crores comma style)
• Sourced and dated — every rate is labeled with the quarter it applies to and when it was last verified, so you know exactly how current the numbers are

How to Use the Post Office FD Calculator

1. Pick your tenure. Click any of the four rate cards (1, 2, 3, or 5 years) at the top — the calculator instantly recalculates using that term’s official rate.
2. Enter your deposit amount. Type an amount directly into the ₹ field, or drag the slider below it for a quick estimate.
3. Choose how interest is paid. Toggle between “Reinvested” to see your deposit grow through compounding, or “Paid out annually” to see what you’d actually receive as yearly income.
4. Read your results. The summary shows your maturity value, total interest earned, and the effective annual yield after compounding.
5. Check the year-by-year table. Scroll down to see exactly how your balance and interest build up each year of the term — useful for comparing tenures side by side.
6. Note the 80C badge. If it appears, your selected tenure and amount qualify for a tax deduction under Section 80C, up to the annual limit.

Tip: The 5-year Time Deposit is the only tenure eligible for the Section 80C tax deduction — if tax savings are your goal, that term is worth comparing directly against other 80C options like PPF, NSC, or ELSS mutual funds rather than choosing on interest rate alone.