When choosing between a Fixed Deposit and a Mutual Fund, the headline interest rate is only half the story. Because FDs are taxed at your highest income slab while Equity MFs enjoy a lower LTCG rate, the 'In-Hand' difference can be substantial over the long term.
How Does the FD Calculator Work?
FD interest is typically compounded quarterly by most Indian banks. The calculator applies the compound interest formula to compute your exact maturity amount. Note: The effective annual yield (EAY) is slightly higher than the stated rate due to quarterly compounding — for example, a 7% FD compounded quarterly effectively yields 7.19% annually.
A = P × (1 + r/n)^(n×t)Where:
- • A = Maturity Amount
- • P = Principal deposit amount
- • r = Annual interest rate (as decimal, e.g. 0.07 for 7%)
- • n = Compounding frequency (4 = quarterly, 12 = monthly)
- • t = Tenure in years
- • Example: ₹1,00,000 @ 7.5% for 2 years (quarterly) → A = 1,00,000 × (1.01875)^8 = ₹1,16,015
- Quarterly Compounding: Most banks compound quarterly. ₹1 lakh at 7% for 1 year → ₹1,07,185 (not ₹1,07,000 from simple interest).
- Senior Citizen Advantage: Banks offer 0.25–0.50% higher FD rates for senior citizens (above 60 years). Always check senior citizen rates if applicable.
- TDS Deduction: Banks deduct 10% TDS if your annual FD interest exceeds ₹40,000 (₹50,000 for senior citizens). Submit Form 15G/15H to avoid TDS if your total income is below the taxable limit.
- Cumulative vs Non-Cumulative: Cumulative FD pays interest at maturity (better for growth). Non-cumulative FD pays monthly/quarterly (better for regular income needs).
Example: ₹5 Lakh FD for 2 Years
Priya deposits ₹5,00,000 in an SBI FD for 2 years at 7.1% p.a. compounded quarterly.
• Maturity Amount: ₹5,74,898
• Total Interest Earned: ₹74,898
• Effective Annual Yield: 7.31%
Same amount in a senior citizen FD at 7.6%: Maturity = ₹5,80,361 (₹5,463 more just from the 0.5% senior citizen bonus!)
Current FD Rates by Bank (Jan 2026) — General & Senior Citizen
Compare FD interest rates across major Indian banks for a 1-2 year tenure:
| Bank | 1 Year FD Rate | 2 Year FD Rate | Senior Citizen Extra | Max Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI | 6.80% | 7.00% | +0.50% | 10 Years |
| HDFC Bank | 6.60% | 7.00% | +0.50% | 10 Years |
| ICICI Bank | 6.70% | 7.00% | +0.50% | 10 Years |
| Kotak Mahindra | 7.10% | 7.25% | +0.50% | 10 Years |
| Post Office TD | 6.90% | 7.00% | No extra | 5 Years |
Frequently Asked Questions
⚠️ Disclaimer
The figures provided by this calculator are estimates based on the inputs you provide and standard financial formulas. STOCKCALC.IN does not offer investment advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.