The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is a sovereign-backed monthly income scheme which allows an individual to invest a lump sum of money and receive the interest earned on the lump sum as a monthly payout. Like most Post Office schemes, NRIs are ineligible to invest in the scheme; however, they can benefit indirectly through resident relatives. Currently, the scheme offers an interest rate of 7.4% p.a.

Guaranteed Plan
(By Insurance companies)Fixed Deposit
(Offered by Banks)Savings Account
(Post Office)Fully Tax-Free, Life Cover Included
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is an investment plan offered by the Postal Department which allows investors to invest a lump sum amount of money which earns monthly interest. This monthly interest is then paid to the investor as monthly income. NRIs are not eligible to enrol in the POMIS; however, they can benefit from the scheme through a resident relative.
The Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (PO – MIS) offers the following key features:
| Feature | Details |
| Lock-in Period | The invested amount in a Monthly Income Scheme account with a post office is locked for 5 years. |
| Maximum Limit | Rs. 9 Lakhs for a single account. An aggregate of all deposits across multiple post offices cannot exceed Rs. 9 Lakhs. |
| Joint Account | A joint account with 2 or 3 individuals allows an aggregate investment of up to Rs. 15 Lakhs. Each investor has equal rights. |
| Transferable | You can transfer your POMIS account to a different post office within India if you change your residential status. Corpus and interest move with the transfer. |
| Minor Account | A POMIS minor account can be opened for a child above 10 years. Withdrawal is possible after maturity at 18 years. |
| Eligible Residence | Indian citizens are eligible, but NRIs cannot open a POMIS account directly. |
| Auto-withdrawal | Monthly interest can be automatically transferred to your savings account through PDCs or ECS. Applicable to CBS Post Offices for directing to any CBS-centric savings account. |
| Penalty for Withdrawal | Early withdrawal incurs a penalty based on the time of redemption during the lock-in period. |
| Investment Amount | Minimum Rs. 1000, and multiples of Rs. 1000. |
| Tax Benefits | No Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on interest. However, it does not qualify for tax benefits under Section 80C. |
You can invest in the PO – MIS scheme as per the following investment limits:
| Account Type | Maximum Limit |
| Single Account | Rs. 9 Lakhs |
| Joint Account | Rs. 15 Lakhs |
The current interest rate for the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) is 7.40% per annum, payable monthly. The current rate has been constant since 2023 and has not seen any changes for FY2026. The following table lists the historical interest rates of POMIS. Note that the government reviews the interest rate every quarter and revises it at its discretion.
| Period | Post Office MIS Interest Rate (Annual) |
| 1 April 2024- 30th September | 7.40% |
| 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024 | 7.40% |
| 1st January 2023 - 31st March 2023 | 7.10% |
| 1st October 2022 - 31st December 2022 | 6.70% |
| 1st July 2022 – 30th September 2022 | 6.60% |
| 1st April 2022 – 30th June 2022 | 6.60% |
| 1st April 2021 – 31st December 2021 | 6.60% |
| 1st April 2018 – 30th June 2018 | 7.3% |
| 1st January 2018 – 31st March 2018 | 7.3% |
| 1st October 2017 – 31st December 2017 | 7.5% |
| 1st July 2017 – 30th September 2017 | 7.5% |
| 1st April 2017 – 30th June 2017 | 7.6% |
*POMIS Interest rate as of August 2026
The key benefits of the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) are listed below:
Steady Monthly Income: Provides a fixed monthly income, ensuring financial stability.
Government Backing: POMIS is backed by the Indian government, adding credibility to the investment.
No Market Risk: Unlike investments in stocks or mutual funds, POMIS does not expose you to market fluctuations.
Reliable Returns: Offers a predetermined interest rate, ensuring a reliable and predictable return.
Low Minimum Investment: Allows investors to start with a relatively low amount.
Residency Requirement: Only resident Indians can open a POMIS account; it is not applicable to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
Age Criteria: Individuals above 18 years can open their own accounts.
Minor Accounts: Accounts for minors (aged 10 and above) can be opened by someone on their behalf. At 18, minors gain access to the funds.
Conversion at Majority: Once a minor reaches the age of majority, they need to apply to convert the account into their name.
The following documents are required to apply for the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) in India:
Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID card, or other government-issued ID.
Address Proof: Utility bills, bank statements, or other documents reflecting the resident's address in India.
Two Passport-Sized Photographs
Penalty is levied on early withdrawal from Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) account as the following rules:
| Time Frame | Withdrawal Conditions |
| First Year | Withdrawal not permitted during the initial year. |
| 1-3 Years | If closed within 1-3 years, a penalty of 2% of the principal will be imposed; the remaining amount transferred. |
| 4-5 Years | If closed within 4-5 years, a penalty of 1% of the principal will be imposed; the remaining amount transferred. |
Since NRIs are not eligible to directly benefit from POMIS, NRIs based in Singapore can invest in the following investment options, which provide investors with a steady income.
| Feature | POMIS | Mutual Fund MIP | Insurance MIP |
| Income Type | Guaranteed fixed | Variable, depends on market | Guaranteed annuity |
| Investment Focus | Debt securities | Debt & equity (20:80) | Life cover & investment |
| Returns | 7.4% interest p.a. (Jan 2024) | Up to 14%, can fall negative | Fixed annuity based on premiums |
| Risk | Very low | Low to moderate | Low (investment risk), medium (life cover risk) |
| Tax | Interest taxable, no TDS | Income taxed, no TDS | Annuity taxable |
| Investment Limit | Individual: ₹9 lakh, Joint: ₹15 lakh | No limit | No limit |
| Lock-in | 5 years | 1 year exit load | Policy term (20-30 years) |
| Liquidity | Premature withdrawal with penalty | After 1 year | Surrender charges based on policy term |
| Suitability | Risk-averse NRIs seeking steady income | NRIs wanting moderate risk & growth | NRIs seeking income & life cover |
| Savings Scheme | Rate of Interest | TDS |
| Post Office Monthly Income Scheme | 7.40% | No TDS is deducted |
| Post Office Recurring Deposit | 6.20% | No TDS is deducted |
| Post Office Time Deposit | 5.50% | No TDS is deducted |
| Post Office Time Deposit (5 years) | 6.70% | TDS is deducted |
| National Savings Certificate | 6.80% | TDS is deducted |
| Senior Citizen Saving Scheme | 8.20% | TDS is deducted |
| Public Provident Fund | 7.10% | TDS is deducted |
The Post Office Monthly Savings scheme provides a stable avenue of investment to resident Indians. Non-resident Indians can fund the POMIS investments of their resident relatives to provide them with a steady source of income while their capital remains fully protected. Since POMIS is not available for NRIs, they can check our specific NRI investment plans and choose a plan best suited for them and their financial needs.