What is a fixed deposit?
A Fixed Deposit (FD) is a financial instrument offered by banks and NBFCs where you deposit a lump sum for a predetermined period at a guaranteed interest rate. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), total term deposits in Indian scheduled commercial banks stood at approximately ₹107 lakh crore as of March 2025, making FDs the most popular savings instrument in India after savings accounts.
FDs in India are primarily governed by the Reserve Bank of India under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Interest on FDs is compounded quarterly by most banks (as is the standard practice per RBI guidelines), although payout frequencies can be monthly, quarterly, or at maturity based on the depositor's choice.
FD interest uses compound interest formula: A = P × (1 + r/n)^(n×t), where P = principal, r = annual rate (as decimal), n = compounding frequency (4 for quarterly), t = years. For ₹5,00,000 at 7% for 3 years with quarterly compounding: A = 5,00,000 × (1 + 0.07/4)^(4×3) = ₹6,16,198. Interest earned = ₹1,16,198.
FD interest rates comparison — April 2026
| Bank | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI | 6.80% | 7.00% | 6.75% | 6.50% |
| HDFC Bank | 6.60% | 7.00% | 7.10% | 7.00% |
| ICICI Bank | 6.70% | 7.10% | 7.10% | 7.00% |
| Axis Bank | 6.70% | 7.00% | 7.10% | 7.00% |
| Post Office | 6.90% | 7.00% | 7.10% | 7.50% |
| Kotak Mahindra | 6.65% | 7.10% | 7.15% | 6.70% |
Source: Respective bank websites as of April 2026. Rates for general citizens, deposits below ₹3 crore. Senior citizens typically receive 0.25-0.50% additional. Rates subject to change — verify with your bank before depositing.
FD taxation rules
- Interest is fully taxable: FD interest is added to your total income and taxed per your income tax slab under "Income from Other Sources" as per Section 56 of the Income Tax Act.
- TDS at 10%: Banks deduct TDS under Section 194A if total interest exceeds ₹40,000/year (₹50,000 for senior citizens). If you don't provide PAN, TDS is 20%.
- Form 15G/15H: Submit Form 15G (below 60) or 15H (senior citizens) to your bank if your total income is below the taxable threshold to avoid TDS deduction.
- Tax-saver FD: 5-year FDs qualify for Section 80C deduction up to ₹1.5 lakh under the old tax regime. These have a mandatory 5-year lock-in with no premature withdrawal.
Compare specific bank FDs
See detailed rates for specific banks with our dedicated calculators.
SBI FD Calculator →