Compare

How to use a comparison

Start with who is allowed to use each option, because that settles more choices than any rate does: an account only open to a girl under 10, or a pension scheme closed to income tax payers, is not really a choice for everyone. Then compare the rate or the tax treatment, then how long the money is locked in, and last the paperwork.

Each page ends with a plain answer to “which should you choose”, and links to the calculator behind each side so you can test your own numbers rather than an example.

PPF vs Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Both are government-backed, tax-free savings accounts, but only one is open to everyone. Interest rates, deposit limits, tenure and who each account is actually for.

Which should you choose? There is no real choice if you are saving for a daughter under 10: Sukanya Samriddhi's rate has run above PPF's for years, the two accounts are taxed identically, and the ₹1,50,000 annual cap is shared across whatever section 123 investments you make anyway — putting it in SSY instead of PPF costs nothing and pays more.

Compared on: who can open it, current interest rate, minimum deposit, maximum deposit, deposit period, account matures, interest calculation, number of accounts, tax on deposits, tax on interest and maturity, premature closure.

Facts last checked on 4 October 2026, against 6 official sources. Read the full comparison

NPS vs Atal Pension Yojana

One is a market-linked account regulated by PFRDA; the other is a fixed, government-guaranteed pension. Who can join each, what they pay at 60, and the choice that actually applies to you.

Which should you choose? If you are, or have ever been, an income tax payer, this isn't a choice — APY has excluded you since October 2022, and NPS is the PFRDA account open to you.

Compared on: who regulates it, who can join, return, contribution, at exit (60), after the subscriber dies, tax on withdrawal.

Facts last checked on 17 September 2026, against 3 official sources. Read the full comparison

Old vs New Tax Regime 2026-27

The new regime is the default under the Income-tax Act, 2025 and has lower rates and a bigger rebate; the old regime keeps deductions like section 123 and HRA. Which one actually costs you less depends on how much you can deduct.

Which regime costs less? The new regime wins outright for anyone with few deductions: no HRA to claim, no section 123 investments, income under roughly ₹12.75 lakh (salaried) where the rebate erases the tax entirely. It also wins by default if you simply do nothing.

Compared on: default regime, nil tax up to, top rate, standard deduction (salaried), rebate (section 156), section 123 (former 80c) deduction, hra exemption, number of slabs.

Facts last checked on 17 September 2026, against 3 official sources. Read the full comparison