Recurring Deposit (RD) Calculator: Build Wealth Monthly with Guaranteed Returns
A Recurring Deposit (RD) is an ideal systematic investment tool for salaried individuals and disciplined savers who want guaranteed, risk-free returns without committing a large upfront lump sum. By depositing a fixed amount every month into your bank or Post Office RD, you earn quarterly compounded interest over tenures ranging from 6 months to 10 years. Our free RD calculator computes exact maturity values and cumulative interest earnings in real time.
Recurring Deposit Calculation Formula (Quarterly Compounding)
Indian banks calculate Recurring Deposit maturity using the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) quarterly compounding formula:
- M: Final Maturity Value of the Recurring Deposit.
- P: Monthly Installment Amount (e.g., ₹1,000, ₹5,000, or ₹25,000 per month).
- i: Quarterly Interest Rate = Annual Rate / 400.
- n: Number of Quarters in the investment tenure (e.g. 1 Year = 4 quarters, 5 Years = 20 quarters).
RD Returns Table: Monthly Deposit Growth at 7.00% Interest
| Monthly Installment | 1 Year Maturity | 3 Year Maturity | 5 Year Maturity | Total 5-Yr Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹2,000 / month | ₹24,920 | ₹80,285 | ₹1,43,785 | ₹23,785 |
| ₹5,000 / month | ₹62,300 | ₹2,00,712 | ₹3,59,463 | ₹59,463 |
| ₹10,000 / month | ₹1,24,600 | ₹4,01,424 | ₹7,18,926 | ₹1,18,926 |
| ₹25,000 / month | ₹3,11,500 | ₹10,03,560 | ₹17,97,315 | ₹2,97,315 |
RD vs SIP vs Post Office RD: Choosing the Best Monthly Plan
- Bank RD vs Post Office RD: Bank RDs offer flexible tenures from 6 months to 10 years, while Post Office RDs have a mandatory 5-year tenure (with attractive quarterly reviewed interest rates and sovereign guarantee).
- RD vs Mutual Fund SIP: RDs offer 100% guaranteed, capital-protected returns (ideal for short-term goals within 1–3 years like buying a car or paying annual school fees). Mutual fund SIPs are market-linked but offer higher expected returns (12%–15%) for long-term wealth creation (5+ years). Check our companion SIP Calculator.
Tax Rules for Recurring Deposits (TDS & Slabs)
Under Section 194A of the Income Tax Act, interest earned on Recurring Deposits is subject to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS):
- TDS Threshold: Banks deduct 10% TDS if cumulative interest from FDs and RDs exceeds ₹40,000 per financial year (₹50,000 for senior citizens).
- Tax Slab Liability: Total RD interest earned is fully taxable according to your applicable income tax slab under "Income from Other Sources".
- Premature Closure: Most banks allow early closure of RDs with a penalty of 0.50% to 1.00% deduction on the effective interest rate for the period held.
Practical Case Study: ₹10,000/Month RD Over 5 Years at 7.25%
Let us analyze a salaried individual investing ₹10,000 every month into a 5-year bank recurring deposit:
- Total Cumulative Deposits: ₹10,000 × 60 months = ₹6,00,000
- Total Compound Interest Earned: ₹1,24,680
- Final Maturity Payout: ₹7,24,680
- Effective Annual Yield: Approximately 8.12% on cumulative principal.
4 Smart Tips for Managing Recurring Deposits
- Set Up Auto-Debit: Link your RD installment to your salary account on your pay date to prevent missed installment penalties.
- Split Across Multiple Small RDs: Instead of one ₹20,000/month RD, open two ₹10,000/month RDs. If you face an emergency, you can liquidate one without disturbing the other.
- Check Post Office RD National Schemes: Post Office RDs offer guaranteed quarterly reviewed rates backed directly by the Government of India.
- Utilize Loan Against RD: Banks sanction loans up to 90% of your accumulated RD balance at low interest rates without breaking your compounding cycle.