Centre Announces New Interest Rate on Special Deposit Scheme for Non-Govt Provident, Superannuation and Gratuity Funds [Read Notification]

The Ministry of Finance, through its Department of Economic Affairs, has issued a notification on 9 January 2026. It announced the interest rate for deposits in the Special Deposit Scheme for Non-Government Provident, Superannuation and Gratuity Funds.

Accordingly, the Central Government fixed the interest rate at 7.1 percent per annum for deposits under this scheme. This new rate will apply from 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026.

The government also clarified that it is effective from 1 January 2026.The Special Deposit Scheme was started in 1975 to give safe and regulated ways for investment to non-government provident funds, superannuation funds, and gratuity funds.

These funds are usually for private sector employees and institutions, and they manage separately from government provident funds.

By notifying the interest rate for January-March 2026 quarter, the Centre ensures clarity and certainty for fund managers and trustees in planning investments and returns. This decision helps to keep stability in long-term retirement and employee benefit funds, especially when financial conditions change.

The notification was signed by Vysan R., Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and it was published in The Gazette of India (Extraordinary), which gave it formal legal effect.

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