NRE or Non-Resident External accounts can be of Recurring, Savings, or Fixed Deposit type, wherein NRIs can easily deposit their foreign currency. In India, an NRE account is held in Indian Rupees and interest earned on the deposits are tax-free. In this article, we discuss the best NRE FD rates offered by Indian banks and how you will be able to select a suitable NRE FD.

Guaranteed Plan
(By Insurance companies)Fixed Deposit
(Offered by Banks)Savings Account
(Post Office)Fully Tax-Free, Life Cover Included
Here is the list of banks offering the best NRE FD rates in 2026 for NRIs living in Singapore:
| Bank | Highest Interest Per Annum for deposits less than ₹3 crores |
| IDFC First Bank | 7.35% |
| ICICI Bank | 6.50% |
| Axis Bank | 6.50% |
| Bank of Baroda | 6.30% |
| DBS Bank | 6.75% |
| HDFC Bank | 6.50% |
| State Bank of India | 6.45% |
| IDBI Bank | 6.50% |
| Bank of India | 6.70% |
| IndusInd Bank | 7% |
Your actual returns from an NRE Fixed Deposit depend on the currency exchange rate, especially during the deposit and maturity phase of your FD. Fluctuations in currency rates can add to or deplete your FD returns.
For Singapore-based NRIs seeking optimal financial solutions, NRE (Non-Residential External) and NRO (Non-Resident) accounts stand out as key options. Choosing between them can impact your savings and returns significantly. The table below summarises the differences between NRO and NRE accounts:
| Parameters | NRE Accounts | NRO Accounts |
| Explanation | This account facilitates Non-Resident Indians in transferring foreign income to India in any currency converted to Indian rupees. | It is a type of account that helps a non-resident Indian manage the income earned in India in Indian denominations. |
| Tax | Deposits done in NRE accounts are free of taxes. The earned interest and the principal sum are exempted from tax. | The earned interest is taxable under NRO accounts. It is subjected to a Tax Deduction at Source or TDS. |
| Transferability | Money or deposits in the NRE accounts are transferable, i.e., repatriable. The earned interest and the principal amount are fully and freely transferable. | NRO account funds can be transferable after the payment of the applicable taxes within a set limit, i.e., USD 1 million in an FY (Financial year) |
| Joint Account | You are allowed to open this type of account with another NRI. | You are allowed to open this type of account with an NRI and/or with any Indian Resident. |
| Eligibility Conditions | NRE account is suitable for those who want to hold or maintain their overseas earnings in Indian currencies. | NRO accounts are suitable for individuals who wish to save their earnings from India in the Indian denomination itself. These incomes include income dividends, rent, property sales, etc. |
| Deposits | Deposits in NRE account are made in foreign currency | Deposits in NRO account are done in Indian and also in foreign currency |
| Withdrawals | Withdrawal in Indian currency | Withdrawal in Indian currency |
| Risk of Exchange Rate | Susceptible to risk | Non-susceptible to risk |
| Fluctuations in Currency | NRE deposits are exposed to the fluctuations of the exchange rate as well as loss of conversion | NRO deposits are not exposed to daily fluctuations in the currency. |
While NRIs can save and invest in NRE FDs, the FDs can also be used to avail loans against them.
Some banks offering loans against NRE FD for NRIs is given in the table below:
| Banks | Rate of Interest | Loan Amount |
| Axis Bank | 2% above the rate of term deposit | Rs. 25000 |
| SBI | 1% above the rate of relative FD | Rs. 25000 – Rs. 5 Crore |
| HDFC Bank | 2% above the rate of FD | Up to 90% of your FD |
| Federal Bank | 2% above the rate of FD | Up to 90% of your FD |
NRE Fixed Deposits for NRIs in Singapore offer various benefits as listed below:
An NRI opening an NRE Fixed Deposit account in India must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:
To open an NRE fixed deposit account in India as a Singapore-based NRI, you may have to submit the following documents:
Exploring the best fixed deposit rates for NRE accounts in 2026 can be a strategic financial move for NRIs living in Singapore, offering the potential for attractive returns and financial stability. It is advisable to carefully assess the available options to make informed decisions aligning with your investment goals and preferences.