My Money
Good to know

The numbers worth remembering.

Today’s safe-savings rates, this year’s tax limits, and the rules of thumb planners actually use. Updated for October–December 2026.

Rates vs inflation

Government-backed rates for Oct–Dec 2026. The dashed line is 6% inflation — anything below it is losing buying power before tax.

EPFFY 2025-26, credited yearly
8.25%
Sukanya Samriddhi (SSY)Girl child, tax-free
8.2%
Senior Citizens’ Savings (SCSS)Paid quarterly, 60+
8.2%
NSC (5 years)Compounded yearly
7.7%
Kisan Vikas PatraDoubles in 115 months
7.5%
Post office time deposit (5 yr)80C eligible
7.5%
Post office monthly incomeMonthly payout
7.4%
PPF15 years, fully tax-free
7.1%
Post office RD (5 yr)Monthly deposits
6.7%
Post office savingsLiquid
4%
6% inflation Interest on most of these is taxable at your slab rate; PPF, EPF (within limits) and SSY are tax-free.

Tax numbers for FY 2026-27

Budget 2026 kept last year’s slabs and limits. Section numbers changed under the Income-tax Act, 2025; the rules didn’t.

Compare regimes
Tax-free salary (new regime)₹12.75 lakh₹12 L rebate limit + ₹75,000 standard deduction
Standard deduction₹75,000 / ₹50,000New / old regime
Equity LTCG (held 1 yr+)12.5%On gains above ₹1.25 lakh a year
Equity STCG20%Held under a year
Debt funds, FDsSlab rateDebt funds bought after 1 Apr 2023 included
80C (old regime)₹1.5 lakhEPF, PPF, ELSS, insurance, tuition, principal
Employer NPS14% / 10% of basicNew / old regime. Employer PF + NPS + superannuation tax-free up to ₹7.5 lakh a year
HRA at 50% of basic8 citiesBengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad added from FY 2026-27
TDS on FD interest₹50k / ₹1 LPer bank per year — regular / senior citizens
Tax-free gratuity₹20 lakhLifetime cap for private-sector employees
EPF interest taxableAbove ₹2.5 LOn your own yearly contribution beyond this (₹5 L if your employer doesn’t contribute)
Health insurance (old regime)₹25k + ₹50kFor your family, plus parents over 60 (₹25k if they’re younger)
Savings interest (old regime)₹10k / ₹50kTax-free a year — under 60 (savings accounts) / seniors (all deposits)
No TDS on interestForm 121Replaced Forms 15G and 15H from April 2026, if your income is below the taxable limit
Tax return due31 Jul / 31 AugITR-1 and 2 / ITR-3 and 4 without audit. Late return by 31 Dec; revise by 31 Mar

Rules of thumb

Starting points, not laws. Each one has a calculator if you want your exact number.

Emergency fund6 months

of expenses (including EMIs) in a savings account, FD or liquid fund before you invest for growth.

Financial independence30×

your yearly spending in India (≈3.3% withdrawal), more if you retire before 45.

All EMIs together≤ 40%

of take-home pay — even if the bank allows more. Keep room to invest.

Term life cover10–15×

your yearly income if anyone depends on you. Pure term, not investment-linked.

Equity share100 − age

a rough starting point for your equity %. Adjust for your goals and nerves.

Rule of 7272 ÷ rate

years for money to double. 12% → 6 years. 6% inflation → prices double in 12.

Rates are set by the government each quarter and can change. Check the latest notification before investing.