About PO-MIS
The full form of PO-MIS is the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme. It is a popular investment option offered by the Postal Department of India that aims to provide an investor with a regular and guaranteed monthly income.
An individual can invest their money in the PO-MIS scheme and receive a fixed monthly income in the form of interest payments.
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme is a convenient and risk-free investment plan that helps an investor to park their funds and receive consistent returns.
Key Features of PO-MIS (Post Office Monthly Income Scheme)
The key features of the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) are listed in the table below:
| Features |
Details |
| Launched By |
Department of Posts, Government of India (GoI) |
| PO-MIS Interest Rates for NRI/OCI/PIO |
- Quarterly interest rates (decided by Ministry of Finance, GoI)
- 7.4% p.a. for April – June quarter
- Unclaimed monthly interest does not accrue additional interest
|
| Account Type |
- Single Account
- Joint Account
- Minor Account
|
| Minimum Investment Limit |
Rs. 1,000 (thereof, in multiples of Rs. 1,000) |
| Maximum Investment Limit |
- For Single Account: Rs. 9 lakhs
- For Joint Account: Rs. 15 lakhs (equal share for both individuals)
- For Minor Account: Rs. 3 lakhs
|
| Maturity Period |
Minimum 5 years |
| Monthly Income Payouts |
- Your payouts will be made on a monthly basis, but not at the beginning of each month.
- You will continue to earn interest on your investment until it matures.
|
| Auto-Credit Facility |
- You can receive interest through auto-credit to your savings account at the same post office or via Electronic Clearance Services (ECS).
- You can also invest the earned interest in a Recurring Deposit (RD) account to earn more returns.
|
| Nomination Facility |
Available |
| Taxation |
- Interest earned from POMIS is taxed as per your income tax slab.
- No tax deductions on your investment made in POMIS under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- No TDS will be deducted from the interest income or on the maturity of the POMIS.
|
Eligibility Criteria to Invest in PO-MIS (Post Office Monthly Income Scheme)
To start investing in the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (PO-MIS), an applicant must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
-
Citizenship: The applicant must be a resident Indian
-
Age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
-
No Maximum Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to invest in PO-MIS.
-
Minor Account: One can open a PO-MIS account on behalf of the minor who is at least above 10 years of age.
-
Joint Account: Investors can open a single or joint account. In a joint account, all account holders must be resident Indians.
Documents Required to Open a PO-MIS Account
The following documents are required for an applicant to open a PO-MIS account in the post office:
| Document |
Description |
| Identity proof |
Any government-issued ID such as:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Voter ID card
|
| Address proof |
Any document that shows your current address, such as:
- Electricity bill
- Water bill
- Bank statement
|
| Passport size photographs |
Two recent passport-size photographs |
Steps to Open a PO-MIS Account
To open a PO-MIS account, an applicant can follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit a post office branch.
Step 2: Fill out a PO-MIS account opening form.
Step 3: Submit the required documents, including:
-
Identity proof (such as PAN card, Aadhaar card, or voter ID card)
-
Address proof (such as electricity bill, water bill, or bank statement)
-
Passport size photographs
Step 4: Deposit the minimum investment amount of Rs. 1,000.
Step 5: Receive the PO-MIS account passbook.
Premature Withdrawal from the POMIS Account
The rules on premature withdrawals from the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (PO-MIS) account are as follows:
| Conditions of Period of Withdrawals from POMIS Account |
Conditions |
| Before 1 Year of POMIS account |
No withdrawals allowed |
| Between 1 – 3 years of POMIS account |
2% penalty on the principal amount before refund |
| Between 3 – 5 years of POMIS account |
1% penalty on the principal amount before refund |
| If the account holder dies before the maturity of the POMIS account |
- Premature closure of account is allowed
- The amount will be refunded to the nominee or legal heirs
|
Note: To close the PO-MIS account early, the account holder is required to submit the form and passbook to the Post Office.
Advantages of Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (PO-MIS)
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme offers the following advantages to the investors:
-
Protection of Investment: PO-MIS is a government-backed scheme, which means that the invested amount is safe and secure.
-
Assured Returns: PO-MIS offers guaranteed returns in the form of interest, which is credited to the investor's account every month.
-
Multiple Account Ownership: Multiple PO-MIS accounts can be opened for an individual, but the total deposit amount cannot exceed Rs. 9 lakhs.
-
Low-Risk Investment: PO-MIS is a low-risk investment, as it is not subject to market fluctuations.
-
Affordable Deposit Amount: An investor can start investing in PO-MIS with a minimum deposit of Rs. 1,000.
-
Flexible Tenure: The tenure of PO-MIS is 5 years, which can be extended in blocks of 5 years.
-
Liquidity: Investors can withdraw their investment from PO-MIS after the lock-in period of 5 years, subject to a penalty.
-
Easy to Open and Operate: A PO-MIS account can be opened at any post office in India.
-
Tax Efficiency: The interest earned on PO-MIS is taxable, but there is no TDS deducted.
Benefits of Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (PO-MIS) for NRI
Even though NRI/OCI/PIO cannot invest in POMIS, they can still benefit from it in the following ways:
-
Indirect Benefits: POMIS is a government-backed savings scheme that offers a steady monthly income to investors. This helps to improve the financial stability of Indian residents, including the families of NRIs/OCIs/PIOs.
-
Remittances: You can send money to your families in India through POMIS. This can help your families to invest in POMIS and earn a steady monthly income.
-
Nomination Facility: POMIS account holders can nominate a beneficiary to receive the balance amount in the account in case of the depositor's death. This can help to ensure that the NRI's family is financially secure even after their death.
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme Vs. Monthly Income Plans
Let us understand the difference between PO-MIS vs. Monthly Income Plans (MIPs) from the table below:
| Feature |
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) |
Monthly Income Plans (MIPs) |
| Issuer |
Government of India (GoI) |
Insurance companies |
| Returns |
Guaranteed |
Market-linked |
| Risk |
Low |
Medium |
| Liquidity |
Lock-in period of 5 years |
Lock-in period of 5 years |
| Taxation |
Interest income is taxable |
Tax benefits under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the IT Act, 1961 |
| Investment amount |
Minimum of Rs. 1,000 |
Varies from plan to plan |
| Tenure |
5 years, extendable in blocks of 5 years |
Depends on the chosen plan |
| Other features |
Multiple account ownership, nominee facility |
Offers additional features such as SIP, SWP, life insurance coverage, riders, etc. |
POMIS Previous Interest Rates
The historical interest rates offered under the PO-MIS scheme are as follows:
| Period |
PO-MID Interest Rate (in % p.a.) |
| 15 January 2000 – 28 February 2001 |
11.00% |
| 01 March 2001 – 28 February 2002 |
9.50% |
| 01 March 2002 – 28 February 2003 |
9.00% |
| 01 March 2003 – 30 November 2011 |
8.00% |
| 01 December 2022 – 31 March 2012 |
8.20% |
| 01 April 2012 – 31 March 2013 |
8.50% |
| 01 April 2013 – 31 March 2016 |
8.40% |
| 01 April 2016 – 30 September 2016 |
7.80% |
| 01 October 2016 – 31 March 2017 |
7.70% |
| 01 April 2017 – 30 June 2017 |
7.60% |
| 01 July 2017 0 31 December 2017 |
7.50% |
| 01 January 2018 – 30 September 2018 |
7.30% |
| 01 October 2018 – 30 June 2019 |
7.70% |
| 01 July 2019 – 31 March 2020 |
7.60% |
| 01 April 2020 – 30 September 2020 |
6.60% |
| 01 October 2020 – 31 March 2023 |
7.10% |
| 01 April 2023 – 30 June 2023 |
7.40% |
In Conclusion
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) offers a safe and stable investment option for individuals seeking regular monthly income. With a fixed interest rate, government backing, and tax benefits, it provides a reliable avenue for those looking to secure their financial future while minimizing risk. POMIS is an attractive choice for risk-averse investors seeking steady returns over a shorter investment horizon.
FAQ's
-
What is the interest rate of MIS?
The interest rate of the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is currently 7.4% per annum for the July to September quarter.
-
Which bank PO-MIS rate is best?
Banks do not offer POMIS (Post Office Monthly Income Scheme). POMIS is a government-backed savings scheme offered by the Post Office of India.
-
Which is better, NSC or POMIS?
The better scheme between NSC and POMIS depends on your individual financial goals and risk tolerance. If you are looking for a scheme that offers the highest possible returns, then NSC is a better option. However, if you are looking for a scheme that offers regular monthly income, then POMIS is a better option.
-
What is the difference between POMIS and FD?
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) and a fixed deposit (FD) are both investment options that offer guaranteed returns. However, there are some key differences between the two schemes:
| Feature |
POMIS |
FD |
| Issuer |
Government of India |
Banks and other financial institutions |
| Returns |
Fixed and guaranteed |
Fixed and guaranteed |
| Risk |
Low |
Low |
| Liquidity |
Low (lock-in period of 5 years) |
Medium (may have premature withdrawal penalties) |
| Taxation |
Interest income is taxable |
Interest income is taxable |
| Investment amount |
Minimum of Rs. 1,000 |
Varies from bank to bank |
| Tenure |
5 years, extendable in blocks of 5 years |
7 days – 10 years |
-
Which scheme is best for monthly income in the post office?
The best scheme for monthly income in the post office is the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS). POMIS is a government-backed savings scheme that offers a fixed monthly income to investors. The interest rate on POMIS is currently 7.4% per annum, which is among the highest in all small savings schemes offered by the government.
-
What is the Rs. 15 lakh scheme in the post office?
There is no specific post office scheme that is called the 15 lakh scheme. However, the post office offers a number of savings schemes that have a maximum investment limit of Rs. 15 lakh per individual account. These schemes include:
-
Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)
-
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)
-
National Savings Certificate (NSC)
-
Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP)
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