National Savings Certificate is a fixed-income post office savings scheme with a 5-year lock-in, offering a government-guaranteed interest rate and Section 80C tax deduction on the amount invested. It's a common choice for conservative, tax-saving investments alongside PPF and ELSS.
Official website
National Savings Institute, Ministry of Finance
https://www.nsiindia.gov.in
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Visit a post office (NSC is currently available only through post offices, not banks).
Fill the NSC application form and submit KYC documents (Aadhaar, PAN, photo, address proof).
Make the deposit — minimum ₹1,000, in multiples of ₹100 thereafter, with no maximum limit.
Collect your NSC certificate (e-certificate in most post offices today).
Add a nomination at the time of purchase, or update it later at the issuing post office.
Official fees
No purchase fee. Minimum investment ₹1,000; no maximum limit (though only up to ₹1.5 lakh a year qualifies for Section 80C deduction).
Processing time
Typically same-day at the post office once documents are verified.
Validity
Fixed 5-year lock-in from the date of purchase.
How to apply
Offline (post office)
Official quick links
Sponsored
Yes — the amount invested qualifies for Section 80C deduction up to the overall ₹1.5 lakh limit. Interest for each year (except the final year) is also deemed reinvested and itself qualifies for 80C, within the same overall limit.