SCSS Interest Rate for April–June 2026: Fresh Deposits to Earn 8.2%

The Centre has kept SCSS unchanged for April-June 2026, so fresh deposits by senior citizens will continue to earn 8.2% with quarterly interest payouts.

Senior citizens planning to open a Senior Citizens Savings Scheme account in the first quarter of FY 2026-27 will get the same return as the previous quarter. The Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, said in its notification dated 30 March 2026 that rates on small savings schemes for 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2026 will remain unchanged. 

The National Savings Institute rate chart continues to show SCSS at 8.2%, while the scheme page says interest is payable quarterly. Economic Times, Times of India, NDTV Profit and Upstox also reported no change in the scheme rate.

Fresh SCSS Deposits To Earn 8.2% In April-June 2026

The immediate issue is simple. Fresh SCSS deposits made between 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2026 will earn 8.2% per annum. The government has not raised or cut the rate for the new quarter. That keeps SCSS among the highest-yielding small savings options for retirees looking for regular income backed by the government.
 

A point worth noting is that the official memorandum says all small savings rates for Q1 FY 2026-27 will stay the same as Q4 FY 2025-26. Upstox said this leaves fresh SCSS investments at 8.2%, while NDTV Profit called it the 8th straight quarter without a change in small savings rates.

Finance Ministry Notification Dated 30 March 2026 Sets The Rate

For senior citizens, the headline is stability. There is no revision in the return for new money parked in SCSS this quarter. The NSI’s scheme-wise rate table lists 5-Year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme at 8.2 across all quarters shown for 2025-26, and the 30 March 2026 notification carries that rate into April-June 2026. Economic Times reported the Finance Ministry decision on 30 March 2026, Times of India carried it on 31 March 2026, and India Today published a similar update on 30 March 2026.

Previous Development On This

SCSS has not been flat forever. The NSI history page shows the rate was 7.4% from 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2022, then 7.6% from 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2022, then 8.0% from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023, and 8.2% from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026. 

The latest notification has now extended that 8.2% into the new quarter. LoansJagat, in an article published on 23 May 2025, also described SCSS as offering 8.2% per annum with quarterly payout.
 

This rate path shows the scheme got a lift in late 2022 and early 2023, then stayed steady for a long stretch. That continuity continues in the current quarter.

Statements By Stakeholders

The Department of Economic Affairs has formally said small savings rates for Q1 FY 2026-27 will remain unchanged. 

The National Savings Institute continues to list SCSS at 8.2% with quarterly interest. Economic Times, Times of India, NDTV Profit, India Today and Upstox have all reported the same position.

Conclusion

Fresh SCSS deposits in April-June 2026 will earn 8.2%. For senior citizens seeking predictable quarterly income, the government has left the rate untouched this quarter.