Post Office Monthly Income Scheme - Interest Rate 2026, Benefits & How to Open POMIS Account?

By CA Mohammed S Chokhawala

|

Updated on: Feb 10th, 2026

|

6 min read

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is a scheme where you invest a lump-sum amount and earn a fixed interest every month, i.e., 7.40% per annum. This secure savings investment option is for those who do not prefer high-risk investment avenues. You can invest in this from any Indian Post office near you.

POMIS Interest Rate Update

The Post Office Monthly Savings Scheme (POMIS) interest rate for Q4 (January-March) of FY 2025-26 has been kept unchanged at 7.4% per annum. 

What is Post Office Monthly Income Scheme?

The Indian Post Office offers a “Savings Monthly Income Account” scheme (MIS/POMIS). It is low-risk and provides monthly interest as a passive income source. 

Under this scheme, you can deposit a specified lump sum amount and receive monthly interest at a specified rate. The interest can be drawn through an auto credit facility into your Post Office Savings Account or through ECS into the depositor's bank account.

You can invest up to Rs. 9 lakh individually or Rs. 15 lakh jointly, and the investment period is 5 years. The interest rate for FY 2025-26 is 7.40% per annum, payable monthly.

Eligibility Criteria to Open a POMIS Account

  • Only a resident Indian can open a POMIS account. 
  • NRIs cannot enjoy the benefits of this scheme. 
  • Any adult can open a POMIS account. 
  • You can open an account on behalf of a minor who is aged 10 years and above. They can avail the fund when they become 18 years old 
  • A minor, after attaining majority, has to apply for conversion of the account in his name.
Account TypeMaximum Deposit Amount Allowed
Single AccountRs. 9 lakhs
Joint Account (2 or 3 adults)Rs. 15 lakhs

In a joint account, all the joint holders shall have equal share in investment. Limits for accounts opened on behalf of a minor as guardian shall be separate. Deposits/shares in all MIS accounts opened by an individual shall not exceed Rs.9 lakh.

POMIS Interest Rate 2026

The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) provides interest at the rate of 7.4% per annum which is paid monthly for 2025-26. 

The following table gives the historical data of the POMIS interest rate: 

Time IntervalPOMIS Interest Rate (Per Annum)
1st January 2026 - 31st March 20267.40%
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 20257.40%
1st January 2024 - 31st March 20247.40%
1st October 2023 - 31st December 20237.40%
1st April 2023 - 30th June 20237.40%
1st January 2023 - 31st March 20237.10%
1st October 2022 - 31st December 20227.10%
1st April 2020 – 30th September 20206.60%
1st January 2020 – 31st March 20207.60%
1st October 2019 – 31st December 20197.60%
1st July 2019 – 30th September 20197.60%
1st January 2019 – 31st March 20197.70%
1st October 2018 – 31st December 20187.70%
1st January 2018 – 30th September 20187.30%

Benefits of Post Office Monthly Income Scheme

  • Capital protection: Your money is safe until maturity as this is a government-backed scheme. 
  • Tenure: The lock-in period for Post Office MIS is 5 years. You can withdraw the invested amount when the scheme matures or reinvest it. 
  • Affordable deposit amount: You can start with a nominal initial investment of Rs.1,000. As per your affordability, you can invest in multiples of this amount. Keep note that the maximum limit on POMIS is Rs 9 lakhs and for jointly Rs 15 lakhs. 
  • Tax-efficiency: Your investment is not covered under Section 80C; TDS provisions are applicable similar to interest on deposits. 
  • Payout: You will receive the payout one month after making the first investment, not at the beginning of every month. 
  • Multiple Account Ownership: You can open more than one account in your name. But the total deposit amount cannot exceed Rs. 9 lakhs in all of them together. 
  • Joint account: You can open a joint account with 2 or 3 people. In this case, an aggregate sum of up to Rs.15 lakhs can be invested in this account.
  • Fund movement: The investor can move the funds to a recurring deposit (RD) account, which is a feature the Post Office has added recently. It is initiated to earn more interest and returns.
  • Nominee: The investor can nominate a beneficiary (a family member) so that they can claim the benefits and corpus if the investor passes away during the account’s term. 
  • Reinvestment: You may reinvest the corpus post maturity in the same scheme for another block of 5 years to continue earning benefits.

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme Calculator

How to Open a POMIS Account?

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. 

  • Open a post office savings account, if you haven’t already.
  • Collect a POMIS application form from your Post Office.
  • Submit the duly filled form along with a photocopy of your ID and residential proofs and 2 passport-size photos at the Post Office. Do carry the originals for verification.
  • Get the signatures of your witness or nominee(s) on the form.
  • Make the initial deposit via cash or cheque. In the case of a post-dated cheque, the date on the cheque will be the account opening date.
  • Once the processing is done, the executive at Post Office will provide you with the details of your newly opened account.

Consequences of Early Withdrawal

Time of POMIS withdrawalOutcomes of premature withdrawal
Before completing one yearZero benefits
Between 1st and 3rd year

The entire deposit refunded after deducting a 2%  on total amount of deposit as penalty

Between 3rd and 5th year

Entire corpus refunded after deducting a1% on total amount of deposit as penalty

Note: Account can be prematurely closed by submitting a prescribed application form with a pass book at the concerned Post Office. ​​

Post Office MIS With Other Monthly Income Plans

FeaturePOMIS (Post Office Monthly Income Scheme)Monthly Income Mutual FundMonthly Income Insurance Plan
ReturnsAssured income at 7.40% p.a. (as of current rates)Market-linked; typically 20:80 equity-debt mix — no guaranteed incomeMonthly annuity; rates vary based on premium, age, and tenure
TDSTDS applicable as per interest income rulesTDS applicable on dividends or gainsAnnuity income is taxable
Return NatureFixed and guaranteedFloating; varies with market performanceNA (depends on insurer’s payout structure)
Risk LevelLow-risk, ideal for risk-averse investorsModerate to high risk (market dependent)Low to moderate risk, but with long lock-in
Liquidity / WithdrawalAllowed after 12 months with a penaltyExit load applicable if withdrawn earlyHigh surrender charges; not ideal for early exit
Investment LimitsRs. 9 lakhs per individual, Rs. 15 lakhs for joint accountNo upper limitNo upper limit
Additional BenefitsStable incomePotential for capital appreciationLife insurance coverage along with income

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme - Summary

The following image shows the summary of key information about the post office monthly income scheme.

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme

Final Word

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this scheme suitable for senior citizens?

Yes. This is a favourable scheme for senior citizens as they can deposit their life savings in the account and earn interest for their monthly expenses.

What happens to my account if I have to move from one city to another due to work?

In the event of shifting from one city to another, you can easily transfer your POMIS account to the Post Office in the current city at no extra cost. 

What is the POMIS investment limit in 2026?

The maximum deposit limit under POMIS is 9 lakhs for an individual account and 15 lakhs for a joint account. 

Is there a provision to get the interest credit of the MIS account to the RD account?

No. There is no such provision in the MIS. Instead, Standing Instructions can be given in a prescribed application form to credit the RD account from the SB account.

What is the minimum amount to be deposited to open an MIS account?

MIS account can be opened with a minimum of Rs.1,000.

Who can open a Monthly Income Scheme Account?

The foloowing persons are eligible to open a monthly income scheme account:

  • A single Adult.
  • A Joint Account (up to 3 adults) (Joint A or Joint B)
  • A guardian on behalf of a minor/ unsound person.
  • a minor above 10 years in his own name.
Does the Post office provide the facility of Net banking / mobile Banking?

Yes. Intra-operable net banking/ Mobile banking is available for Post Office Savings customers of Core Banking Solutions post offices.

Is deduction on interest from Post Office Savings Account allowed under the Income Tax Act?

Section 80TTA allows deduction for interest on Post Office Savings Account upto a maximum of Rs.10,000.

Can I reinvest the maturity amount in POMIS again?

Yes. After 5 years, the account can be renewed for another term of 5 years at the prevailing interest rate.

About the Author
author-img

CA Mohammed S Chokhawala

Content Writer
social icons

I'm a chartered accountant, well-versed in the ins and outs of income tax, GST, and keeping the books balanced. Numbers are my thing, I can sift through financial statements and tax codes with the best of them. But there's another side to me – a side that thrives on words, not figures. Read more

Clear offers taxation & financial solutions to individuals, businesses, organizations & chartered accountants in India. Clear serves 1.5+ Million happy customers, 20000+ CAs & tax experts & 10000+ businesses across India.

Efiling Income Tax Returns(ITR) is made easy with Clear platform. Just upload your form 16, claim your deductions and get your acknowledgment number online. You can efile income tax return on your income from salary, house property, capital gains, business & profession and income from other sources. Further you can also file TDS returns, generate Form-16, use our Tax Calculator software, claim HRA, check refund status and generate rent receipts for Income Tax Filing.

CAs, experts and businesses can get GST ready with Clear GST software & certification course. Our GST Software helps CAs, tax experts & business to manage returns & invoices in an easy manner. Our Goods & Services Tax course includes tutorial videos, guides and expert assistance to help you in mastering Goods and Services Tax. Clear can also help you in getting your business registered for Goods & Services Tax Law.

Save taxes with Clear by investing in tax saving mutual funds (ELSS) online. Our experts suggest the best funds and you can get high returns by investing directly or through SIP. Download Black by ClearTax App to file returns from your mobile phone.

Office Address - Defmacro Software Private Limited, C 245A, Ground floor, Room No 1, Vikas Puri, West Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi 110018, India

Cleartax is a product by Defmacro Software Pvt. Ltd.

Privacy PolicyTerms of use

ISO

ISO 27001

Data Center

SSL

SSL Certified Site

128-bit encryption