What Is a Recurring Deposit (RD)?
A Recurring Deposit allows you to invest a fixed amount every month and earn interest like a Fixed Deposit. It's ideal for building savings with small monthly contributions.
How RD Works
You deposit a fixed amount (minimum ₹100-₹500) every month for a chosen tenure (6 months to 10 years). Interest is compounded quarterly. At maturity, you receive principal + accumulated interest.
RD Interest Calculation
RD interest is calculated quarterly using compound interest. Since each installment earns interest for a different duration, the effective return is slightly less than a same-tenure FD. For example, a 12-month RD at 7% gives an effective yield of about 6.5%.
RD vs FD vs SIP
RD: Guaranteed returns, monthly deposits, low risk. FD: Higher returns (lump sum advantage), guaranteed. SIP: Market-linked, potentially higher returns, higher risk. RD is best for risk-averse savers with monthly income.