What is a Fixed Deposit?

A Fixed Deposit (FD) is a deposit you place with a bank, small finance bank or a deposit-taking company for a fixed tenure at an interest rate agreed at the time of booking. At maturity you receive your principal plus the interest earned, as per the deposit terms.

You choose an amount, a tenure and a payout option. The issuer pays interest at the booked rate either periodically (non-cumulative) or by compounding and paying it all at maturity (cumulative). The rate is generally fixed for the tenure you booked, even if the issuer changes its rates later.

Are Fixed Deposits safe?

FDs are generally considered lower-risk than market-linked investments because the return is agreed upfront. They are not risk-free: the safety of an FD depends on the issuer's financial strength. Bank deposits, including small finance bank deposits, are covered by DICGC deposit insurance up to the applicable limit per depositor per bank. Corporate and NBFC FDs are not covered by DICGC.

Are all FDs equally safe?

No. Risk varies by issuer type, credit quality, tenure and the insurance or guarantee framework that applies. Higher rates usually compensate for higher risk or lower liquidity. Evaluate the issuer, its credit rating where applicable, and the terms before investing.

What is the difference between a bank FD and a corporate FD?

A bank FD is placed with an RBI-regulated bank and is covered by DICGC deposit insurance up to the applicable limit. A corporate FD is placed with an NBFC or company; it may offer a higher rate but is not covered by DICGC, so its safety depends on the issuer's credit quality, usually indicated by a credit rating.

Maturity is the date on which the FD tenure ends and the principal, plus any interest not yet paid out, becomes payable to you.

Can I withdraw an FD before maturity?

Most FDs allow premature withdrawal, usually with a penalty or a reduced interest rate. Some deposits, such as tax-saving FDs and certain non-callable deposits, do not allow early withdrawal or allow it only under specific conditions. Check the terms before booking.

How is FD interest taxed?

FD interest is generally taxable as income in the year it accrues or is received, at your applicable income-tax slab rate, whether or not TDS has been deducted. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances and tax rules can change.

What is TDS on FD interest?

TDS (tax deducted at source) is tax the issuer deducts from your FD interest once your interest crosses the applicable annual threshold. TDS is not an additional tax; it is credited against your final tax liability. Eligible investors can submit the prescribed declaration (Form 121 from 1 April 2026, which replaced Forms 15G and 15H) to avoid TDS where their total income is below the taxable limit.

What is a cumulative FD?

In a cumulative FD, interest is compounded (usually quarterly) and paid together with the principal at maturity. It suits investors who do not need regular income.

What is a non-cumulative FD?

In a non-cumulative FD, interest is paid out periodically — monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or yearly — and the principal is returned at maturity. It suits investors who want regular income.

Can senior citizens get higher FD rates?

Many issuers offer senior citizens a slightly higher rate than the standard card rate. The extra rate, the age criteria and the eligible tenures vary by issuer.

What happens when an FD matures?

Depending on the instruction you gave at booking, the maturity amount is credited to your linked bank account or the FD is auto-renewed for a similar tenure at the rate prevailing on the renewal date.

How do I compare different FDs?

Compare the issuer type and its insurance or credit-rating position, the interest rate and effective annual yield, tenure, payout option, premature withdrawal terms, minimum amount and the tax impact on your post-tax return.

How can I invest through Stable Money?

Use the Explore FD Opportunities button on this page to open Stable Money, Integrato's digital partner for FDs. You can browse available FDs, compare them and complete the booking digitally on the Stable Money platform, subject to its terms and the issuer's eligibility criteria.

Does Integrato guarantee FD returns?

No. Integrato does not guarantee returns on Fixed Deposits. Returns, tenure, terms and applicable protections depend on the respective issuer/product and prevailing terms.

Integrato Fixed Deposits · Discover. Compare. Invest.

Fixed Deposits Made Simple

Make your money work — with the stability of Fixed Deposits.

Explore Fixed Deposit opportunities across banks and financial institutions, compare rates and tenures, and invest through our trusted digital partner, Stable Money.

Explore FD Opportunities Talk to an Integrato Expert

Investment facilitated through Stable Money. Terms, rates, eligibility and availability are subject to the respective issuer/platform. Opens Stable Money's website/app.

FD calculatorFD ladder plannerBank vs corporate FDTax & TDS explained60-second fit check

Why Fixed Deposits?

Stability you can plan around

FDs won't make you rich overnight — that isn't their job. They give a known rate for a known period, which makes them a useful anchor in a well-built portfolio.

Capital stability

Your principal is not exposed to daily market movements. Safety still depends on the issuer's strength.

Predictable returns

The rate is locked in when you book, so you know your maturity value in advance.

Fixed tenure

Choose from a few days to several years and match the maturity to when you'll need the money.

Regular income options

Non-cumulative FDs can pay interest monthly, quarterly or yearly — useful for household cash flow.

Goal-based investing

Park money for a dated goal — a fee payment, a down-payment, a wedding — without market timing worries.

Portfolio diversification

A fixed-income sleeve can steady a portfolio that also holds equity and market-linked funds.

Suits conservative investors

Simple to understand and generally lower-risk than equity — a common fit for cautious savers and retirees.

Short & medium-term goals

Especially useful for money you need within roughly one to five years.

FDs are not risk-free. Returns can trail inflation after tax, early withdrawal usually carries a penalty, and the safety of a deposit depends on the issuer and the insurance or guarantee framework that applies to it.

FD opportunities

Explore Fixed Deposit Opportunities

How to read an FD offer — and where to see the current ones. Live rates change often, so the up-to-date list lives on Stable Money.

Illustrative examples — not current rates

The cards above are examples to show what to compare. They are not offers and the numbers are not current rates. For live rates, tenures and eligibility, open Stable Money — rates are set by each issuer and can change at any time.

See live FD rates on Stable Money ↗

Know what you are buying

Bank FD vs Corporate & other FDs

A higher rate is usually payment for taking more risk or giving up liquidity. Here's how the main FD types differ.

Comparison of bank FDs, small finance bank FDs and corporate/NBFC FDs
Parameter	Bank FD Public & private sector banks	Small Finance Bank FD	Corporate / NBFC FD
Risk	Generally lowest among FD types; depends on the bank's financial health	Typically higher than large banks; still an RBI-regulated bank	Higher; depends on the issuer's credit quality and business
Return potential	Moderate	Often higher than large banks	Often higher, to compensate for credit risk
Tenure	From 7 days to 10 years	From 7 days to 10 years	Usually 12 months to 5 years
Liquidity	Premature withdrawal usually allowed with a penalty	Usually allowed with a penalty	More restricted; lock-in or higher penalties may apply
Credit considerations	Bank's capital strength and RBI supervision	Bank's size, asset quality and RBI supervision	Check the credit rating (e.g. from CRISIL, ICRA, CARE) and the issuer's track record
Deposit insurance	DICGC cover up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank (principal + interest)	DICGC cover up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank	Not covered by DICGC
May suit	Capital-preservation and emergency-reserve money	Investors comfortable with a smaller bank who keep each bank's exposure within the insured limit	Investors who understand credit risk and want a higher rate on a portion of fixed-income money

Swipe the table sideways to see all columns →

Important: Not all fixed deposits carry the same risk profile. Investors should evaluate the issuer, credit quality, applicable insurance/guarantee framework, tenure, liquidity and terms before investing.

60-second fit check

Is an FD right for you?

Six quick questions. You'll get an educational pointer — not a recommendation.

Where FDs fit

Practical ways investors use FDs

Emergency reserve

Keep part of your emergency fund in short FDs or ones with low premature-withdrawal penalties, alongside instantly accessible savings.

Short-term goals

Money needed in 1–3 years — a car, travel, a renovation — can sit in an FD whose maturity matches the date.

Retirement income

Non-cumulative FDs can provide monthly or quarterly interest; seniors often get a slightly higher rate.

Regular cash flow

Choose a payout frequency that mirrors expenses such as rent, school fees or insurance premiums.

Capital preservation

For money you cannot afford to see fall in value, an insured bank FD within the cover limit is a common choice.

Laddered FD strategy

Split a lump sum into FDs that mature one after another, so some money becomes available every year. Try the ladder planner →

Tax planning considerations

Interest is taxed at your slab rate. Tax-saving bank FDs have a 5-year lock-in; check whether the deduction is available under the tax regime you choose.

Education / marriage goals

As a dated family goal comes within a few years, moving the money from equity into FDs can protect what you've built.

Premium strategy

What is an FD ladder?

Instead of locking your whole amount into one FD, you split it across several FDs that mature one after another — say one every year for five years.

Part of your money becomes available every year, which can improve liquidity without breaking an FD early.
You avoid putting everything in at one rate; maturing rungs can be reinvested at the rates prevailing then.
When a rung matures you can spend it, or roll it into a new longest-tenure FD to keep the ladder going.
Spreading rungs across issuers can also help keep each bank's exposure within the DICGC limit.

Ladder planner

Total amount (₹)

Number of rungs (years)

Assumed rate (% p.a.)

Longer rungs earn extra (% per year)

Invested₹0

Total maturity₹0

Interest₹0

Illustration only: cumulative FDs, quarterly compounding, assumed rates. Actual rates differ by issuer and tenure and are set on the booking date.

Tax & TDS

Tax on Fixed Deposit interest

The rate you see is a pre-tax rate. What you keep depends on your tax slab.

TDS threshold (below 60)₹50,000Interest per year, per bank, before TDS applies

TDS threshold (senior citizens)₹1,00,000Interest per year, per bank, before TDS applies

TDS rate (PAN furnished)10%A higher rate can apply if PAN is not provided

Figures as of October 2026. Thresholds apply to bank deposit interest; other issuers may follow different limits.

How interest is taxed

FD interest is added to your income and taxed at your applicable slab rate in the year it is earned — even for cumulative FDs where you receive it only at maturity. Report it in your return whether or not TDS was deducted.

What TDS is

TDS is tax the issuer deducts upfront once your interest crosses the threshold. It is not an extra tax: it is credited against your final tax liability, and any excess can be claimed as a refund when you file.

Form 121 (formerly 15G / 15H)

From 1 April 2026, under the Income-tax Act, 2025, Form 121 replaced Forms 15G and 15H. Eligible investors whose total income is below the taxable limit can submit it to the issuer to avoid TDS. Submit a fresh declaration each tax year.

Your situation matters

Your slab, tax regime, age, residential status (NRIs follow different rules) and other income all change the outcome. Tax rules can change from one year to the next.

Tax laws are subject to change. Please consult a tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances. Try our income tax calculator →

Investor education

FD vs other investments

No product is best for everyone. Each one does a different job — pick the comparison you're weighing.

General comparison for education. Tax treatment summarised at a high level for resident individuals and may change; mutual fund and SIF investments are subject to market risks — read all scheme-related documents carefully.

Our digital FD partner

Invest in Fixed Deposits through Stable Money

Through our partnership with Stable Money, you can explore Fixed Deposit opportunities digitally and conveniently.

Explore Stable Money ↗ Prefer help? Talk to us

IntegratoYour guide

Education, tools and personal assistance. Integrato does not issue or guarantee FDs.

Stable MoneyThe platform

An independent digital platform where you discover, compare and book FDs.

IssuerBank / SFB / NBFC

Accepts your deposit and is responsible for repaying it with interest.

Digital discovery

Browse FDs from multiple issuers in one place.

Multiple FD opportunities

Banks, small finance banks and other issuers, subject to availability.

Easy comparison

Rates, tenures and payout options side by side.

Online investment journey

KYC and booking completed digitally on the platform.

Convenient access

Track your deposits and maturities in the Stable Money app.

Assisted investing

Need help choosing the right FD?

Tell us a little about your goal and an Integrato team member will call you at a time that suits you.

Understand bank vs corporate FD risk for your amount
Plan an FD ladder or a monthly-income structure
See how FDs fit alongside your mutual funds and insurance

WhatsApp us Book a session

Why Integrato

Why explore FDs with Integrato?

Experienced team

Led by Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, with 25+ years across mutual funds, insurance, broking and financial planning.

Multiple financial solutions

FDs alongside mutual funds, SIFs, insurance and portfolio review — so your fixed-income money fits the bigger picture.

Planning-first approach

Goal-based thinking: what the money is for and when you need it comes before which product to use.

Portfolio review

See how much of your wealth is in fixed income versus growth assets with a portfolio review.

Insurance & investment under one roof

An AMFI-registered mutual fund distributor and IRDAI-licensed insurance agency.

Personal assistance

Self-serve if you like; a real person on WhatsApp or phone if you'd rather talk it through.

FAQs

Fixed Deposit questions, answered

Keep exploring

Related tools & solutions

Important disclosures

Roles. Integrato Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. provides information and assistance only. Fixed deposits are accepted and repaid by the respective issuer (bank, small finance bank, NBFC or company). Stable Money is an independent third-party platform that facilitates FD discovery and investment. Integrato does not own Stable Money and is not an issuer of any FD.
Referral relationship. Links marked "Stable Money" are referral links. Integrato may receive referral compensation from Stable Money when you invest through them. This does not change the rate or terms you receive from the issuer.
No guarantee. Integrato and Stable Money do not guarantee the returns, repayment or safety of any deposit. Repayment depends on the issuer.
Issuer risk. Corporate and NBFC deposits carry credit risk and are not covered by DICGC deposit insurance. Credit ratings are opinions, not guarantees, and can change.
Deposit insurance. Deposits in DICGC-insured banks, including small finance banks, are insured up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank across all deposits in the same capacity and right, including principal and interest. Verify the current limit at dicgc.org.in.
Interest-rate changes. FD rates are set by issuers, change frequently and apply as on the booking date. Rates and examples on this page are illustrative unless clearly marked as live data with a date.
Premature withdrawal. Early withdrawal usually attracts a penalty or reduced rate; some deposits cannot be withdrawn early.
Tax and TDS. Interest is taxable at your applicable slab rate; TDS may be deducted by the issuer. Tax information is general and subject to change — consult a tax professional.
Not advice. Calculators, the fit check and comparisons are for education and are not investment, tax or legal advice or a recommendation to invest. Integrato is an AMFI-registered Mutual Fund Distributor (ARN-173155) and not a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser. Read the issuer's and platform's terms and conditions before investing.