New Delhi, April 11 -- Small savings schemes such as the Provident Fund (PPF), National Savings Certificate (NSC), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme (SSS), and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS); and bank fixed deposits (FDs) are among the investment and financial instrument of choice for conservative investors.

This is because these options allow investors to earn assured returns and claim income tax deductions.

Most of these schemes give an interest in the range of 4-8.2% per annum. Notably, the government has kept the interest rates for small savings schemes unchanged in the April-June quarter this year, for the eighth consecutive time.

Whether you decide to invest in a fixed deposit or in a small savings scheme, ...