National Savings Certificate
The National Savings Certificate is a fixed income investment scheme that you can open with any post office. A Government of India
initiative, it is a savings bond that encourages subscribers (mainly small to
mid-income investors) to invest while saving on income tax. In this article, we
cover the following info about NSC.
Individuals mainly use NSC for small and medium investments
as well as for tax-saving purposes. A fixed income instrument like Public
Provident Fund and Post Office FDs, this scheme too is a secure and low-risk
product. You can buy it from the nearest post office in your name, for a minor
or with another adult as a joint account. They come with 2 fixed maturity
periods – 5 years and 10 years.
There is no maximum limit on the purchase of NSCs, but
investments of up to Rs 1.5 lakhs in the scheme can earn a tax break under
Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The certificates earn a fixed interest,
which is currently at the rate of7.6% per annum. They add this interest back to
the investment and compound it annually. Many pledges these certificates for
taking loans from banks.
Who Should Invest in NSC?
Anyone who is looking for a safe investment avenue to save
taxes while earning a steady income can opt for this scheme. The NSC offers
guaranteed interest and complete capital protection. However, like most fixed
income schemes, they cannot deliver inflation-beating returns like tax-saving
mutual funds and National Pension System. The government has made it easily
accessible for prospective investors by making it available in post offices.
Let us also clarify on who cannot invest in this scheme,
while at it. Basically, the Government has promoted National Savings Certificate as a savings scheme for individuals. Hence, Hindu Undivided
Families (HUFs) and trusts cannot invest in it. Furthermore, even non-resident
Indians (NRI) cannot purchase NSC certificates. The scheme is open to only
Indian individual citizens.
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