The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is a government backed savings scheme offered through the India Post that allows investors to deposit a lump sum amount and earn a fixed monthly income. It is designed for individuals seeking stable and low risk returns, making it particularly suitable for retirees or conservative investors who prefer predictable cash flow instead of market-linked investments.
The POMIS offers an interest rate is 7.40% per annum, which is payable monthly, with an investment tenure of 5 years. The maximum amount that an investors can deposit is Rs. 9 lakh for a single account and Rs. 15 lakh for a joint account.
Post Office Monthly Interest Scheme - Key Highlights
Particulars Details Scheme Type Government-backed savings scheme Interest Rate 7.40% per annum Tenure 5 years Maximum Deposit Rs. 9 lakh (Single Account) & Rs. 15 lakh (Joint Account)
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is a government backed savings scheme offered by the Indian Post that allows investors to earns a fixed monthly interest income on a on time lump sum deposit. It is a low risk investment option specifically designed for individuals preferring stable returns.
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) allows investors to earn interest on their deposits which is credit on a monthly basis automatically to the Post Office Savings Account. POIMS is commonly used by retirees, conservative investors, and individuals looking for passive monthly income from their savings.
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) interest rate is notified every quarter by the Government of India for small savings schemes offered through India Post. Once you open a POMIS account, the interest rate remains fixed for the entire 5-year tenure, even if the government revises rates in future quarters.
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) interest rate for FY 2025-26 is fixed at 7.4% for the April-June 2026 quarter, where interest is payable monthly.
| Time Interval | POMIS Interest Rate (Per Annum) |
| 1st April 2026 – 30th June 2026 | 7.40% |
| 1st January 2026 – 31st March 2026 | 7.40% |
| 1st October 2025 – 31st December 2025 | 7.40% |
| 1st July 2025 – 30th September 2025 | 7.40% |
| 1st April 2025 – 30th June 2025 | 7.40% |
| 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025 | 7.40% |
| 1st January 2024 – 31st March 2024 | 7.40% |
| 1st October 2023 – 31st December 2023 | 7.40% |
| 1st April 2023 – 30th June 2023 | 7.40% |
| 1st January 2023 – 31st March 2023 | 7.10% |
| 1st October 2022 – 31st December 2022 | 7.10% |
| 1st April 2020 – 30th September 2020 | 6.60% |
| 1st January 2020 – 31st March 2020 | 7.60% |
| Feature | Details |
| Scheme Type | Government-backed savings scheme offered by India Post |
| Interest Payout | Paid monthly |
| Tenure | 5 years |
| Minimum Deposit | Rs. 1,000 |
| Maximum Deposit – Single Account | Rs. 9 lakh |
| Maximum Deposit – Joint Account | Rs. 15 lakh |
| Risk Level | Low Risk |
| Nomination Facility | Available |
| Transferability | Allowed between post offices |
| Account Type | Single or Joint accounts permitted |
Only resident indiciduals can open a Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) account. However, minors can also open an account through a guardian. The scheme also allows individual od joint ownership with majority conversion rule. Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) does not allows NRIs to open an account.
| Who can open a POMIS account? | Eligibility |
| Resident adult | Yes |
| Joint holders | Yes |
| Minor through guardian | Yes |
| NRIs | No |
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) allows investors a maximum investment limit of up to Rs. 9 lakh for single account holders and Rs. 15 lakh for join account holders. The minimum invesment required is Rs. 1,000.
| Account Type | Deposit Limit |
| Single Account | Rs. 9 lakh |
| Joint Account | Rs. 15 lakh |
| Minimum Deposit | Rs. 1,000 |
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) provides fixed monthly interest based on the amount invested and the prevailing interest rate (currently 7.4% per annum). Since the interest is paid every month, the annual interest is divided into 12 monthly payouts, giving investors a predictable income stream.
| Investment Amount | Approx Monthly Income at 7.4% |
| Rs. 1 lakh | Rs. 617 |
| Rs. 2 lakh | Rs. 1,233 |
| Rs. 5 lakh | Rs. 3,083 |
| Rs. 9 lakh | Rs. 5,550 |
| Rs. 15 lakh | Rs. 9,250 |
Investments made under the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) do not qualify for a tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income-tax Act, 1961. This means the principal amount invested in the scheme cannot be claimed as a deduction while filing your income tax return.
However, the monthly interest earned from POMIS is fully taxable. The interest income is added to your total taxable income and taxed according to your applicable income tax slab rate. Since the interest is paid out every month, investors should include the total interest received during the financial year while calculating their taxable income.
Opening a POMIS account is not as tedious as you think. Instead of imagining long queues and even longer paperwork, please take a look at the step-by-step procedure.
| Time of POMIS withdrawal | Outcomes of premature withdrawal |
| Before 1 year | Premature closure not allowed |
| After 1 year and before 3 years | 2% deduction on deposit |
| After 3 years and before 5 years | 1% deduction on deposit |
Note: Account can be prematurely closed by submitting a prescribed application form with a pass book at the concerned Post Office.
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) can be a suitable investment option for senior citizens and retirees who want a stable and predictable monthly income from their savings. Since the scheme is backed by the Government of India and offered through India Post, it is considered a low-risk investment, making it attractive for individuals who prefer capital safety and regular cash flow after retirement.
However, in many cases, the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) may offer a higher interest rate and larger investment limits, making it more attractive for senior citizens seeking higher returns. That said, POMIS can still work well for retirees who want fixed monthly income within the scheme’s deposit limits, or who wish to diversify their retirement savings across multiple government-backed schemes.
| Feature | POMIS (Post Office Monthly Income Scheme) | Monthly Income Mutual Fund | Monthly Income Insurance Plan |
| Returns | Assured income at 7.40% p.a. (as of current rates) | Market-linked; typically 20:80 equity-debt mix — no guaranteed income | Monthly annuity; rates vary based on premium, age, and tenure |
| TDS | TDS applicable as per interest income rules | TDS applicable on dividends or gains | Annuity income is taxable |
| Return Nature | Fixed and guaranteed | Floating; varies with market performance | NA (depends on insurer’s payout structure) |
| Risk Level | Low-risk, ideal for risk-averse investors | Moderate to high risk (market dependent) | Low to moderate risk, but with long lock-in |
| Liquidity / Withdrawal | Allowed after 12 months with a penalty | Exit load applicable if withdrawn early | High surrender charges; not ideal for early exit |
| Investment Limits | Rs. 9 lakhs per individual, Rs. 15 lakhs for joint account | No upper limit | No upper limit |
| Additional Benefits | Stable income | Potential for capital appreciation | Life insurance coverage along with income |
The following image shows the summary of key information about the post office monthly income scheme.

Thus, the post office monthly income scheme offers stable returns for the investors. Taxpayers with a low risk appettite can opt for POMIS scheme.