RBI Retains Interest Rate at 8.05% on Floating Rate Savings Bonds for July–December 2025.

Banking & Finance | Dated: 04 Jul 2025

On July 1, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the interest rate on its Floating Rate Savings Bonds, 2020 (Taxable) [FRSB 2020 (T)] will remain unchanged at 8.05% for the July 1 to December 1, 2025 period.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The interest payment for the July–December cycle will be credited on January 1, 2026. The current rate of 8.05% is pegged 0.35% higher than the National Savings Certificate (NSC) rate, which currently stands at 7.70%, offering retail investors a slightly higher return.
  • - The FRSB interest rate is reset every six months based on changes in the NSC rate. This semi-annual revision ensures that investors benefit from future increases in the benchmark NSC interest rate, while the rate remains fixed for each declared period.
  • - Floating Rate Savings Bonds (FRSBs) are government-backed fixed-income instruments, designed specifically for retail investors who seek long-term capital safety and predictable returns. These bonds are not tradable and cannot be used as collateral for loans, adding to their secure nature.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) The FRSB comes with a 7-year tenure, and the minimum investment required is ₹1,000, with no upper investment limit. Premature withdrawal is not allowed for general investors, reinforcing its role as a committed long-term savings product.
  • (ii) However, senior citizens are permitted early withdrawal after a specified lock-in period (which varies by age), subject to a penalty of 50% of the interest earned in the last six months. This special exit clause offers flexibility while preserving fiscal discipline.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, the RBI kept the interest rate on Floating Rate Savings Bonds (FRSB) unchanged at what percentage for the July–December 2025 period?

Correct Answer: 8.05%

🚀 Quick Recap:

About RBI

  • Governor : Sanjay Malhotra
  • Headquarters: New Delhi