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Rs.1 Lakh to Rs.2 Lakh in 9 Years 7 Months: KVP Emerges as Safe-Haven Bet for Risk-Averse Investors
Doubling Time: Your money will double in 115 months (9 years and 7 months).
Rate: The interest remains steady at 7.5% per annum (compounded annually).
Safety: While there is no 80C tax benefit, the return is guaranteed by the Government of India, making it a favorite for risk-averse savers.
As of February 14, 2026, the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) remains one of India’s most trusted government-backed investment options for individuals seeking a guaranteed doubling of their money without market risk. For the January–March 2026 quarter, the Ministry of Finance has retained the interest rate at 7.5% per annum, compounded annually, under which an investment doubles in exactly 115 months — or 9 years and 7 months.
This means that an investment of Rs.1,00,000 today will mature at Rs.2,00,000 around September 2035. The scheme requires a minimum investment of Rs.1,000 (in multiples of Rs.100 thereafter) and has no maximum investment limit, making it accessible for both small savers and high-value investors. Any Indian resident adult can open an account individually or jointly (with up to three adults), and minors above 10 years can also hold accounts, while NRIs and Hindu Undivided Families are not eligible.
KVP carries a sovereign guarantee, ensuring 100% safety of both principal and interest since it is backed by the Government of India. However, it comes with a mandatory lock-in period of 2.5 years (30 months), after which premature withdrawal is allowed at a reduced interest payout; immediate encashment is permitted only under exceptional circumstances such as the death of the holder or a court order. From a taxation perspective, the scheme does not qualify for Section 80C deductions unlike the Public Provident Fund (PPF) or the National Savings Certificate (NSC).
The interest earned is taxable as “Income from Other Sources” according to the investor’s income slab, though no TDS is deducted at maturity, placing the responsibility of declaration on the investor. Compared with other small savings schemes in 2026, NSC offers 7.7% for five years with tax benefits, PPF provides 7.1% over 15 years with tax-free returns, while the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) currently offers 8.2%, the highest assured return for senior citizens. Despite lacking tax benefits, KVP continues to attract investors due to its simplicity, guaranteed doubling timeline, and government security backing.