Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme (SCSS)
How to open a Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme (SCSS) account at a post office or bank: who can, how much you can put in, when interest is paid and how the account is closed.
About this guidePending verification
Published on 12-11-2026. Not every fact has been checked against its official source yet: confirm at the office.
For whom: People in Telangana aged 60 or more; retired people aged 55 or more; Defence Services retirees aged 50 or more; the husband or wife of a government employee who died in service; and family members helping them.
Answer the questions below first. Then the documents and steps open.
1Your situation
We show only what your answers need.
- Which of these are you?
- How old will you be on the day you open the account?
- Which of these is true for you?
- Will you open the account within three months of receiving the retirement benefits (provident fund, gratuity, leave encashment and the like)?
- Will the account be in your name alone, or joint with your husband or wife?
Your answers stay on this phone.
Each step below says who it is for. Confirm yours at the office, then change your answer here.
This route does not apply to your situation
Only Indian citizens who live in India can open an account under this scheme (Government Savings Promotion General Rules 2018, rule 4(1); the declaration in the scheme's Form-1). While you live abroad (as an NRI), you cannot open a new account. These rules count you as an NRI if you are not a 'resident' under the Income Tax Act, even if you are in India now (Government Savings Promotion General Rules 2018, rule 3(1)(g)). If you have recently come back from abroad, check your tax residence before you open the account.
→ While you live abroad there is no way to open a new account under this scheme. For bank accounts for Indians living abroad, see this guide:
→ Opening a bank account (Jan Dhan / zero-balance account)
Sources: 6, 1
This route does not apply to your situation
This scheme is only for Indian citizens (rule 4(1)). Under the Home Ministry's notification, OCI cardholders are foreign nationals, not Indian citizens. So OCI cardholders and foreign nationals cannot open this account. If an account holder stops being an Indian citizen, the account counts as closed from the last day of the month before that happened; from then until it is closed, interest is paid at the post office savings account rate (rules 4(4), 9(5)).
Sources: 6, 12
This route does not apply to your situation
Under 60, you can join only if you have retired (at 55 or older), retired from the Defence Services (at 50 or older), or are the spouse of a government employee who died in service.
→ Once you are 60 you can open one without these conditions.
Sources: 1, 3, 4
This route does not apply to your situation
People who retired from a job other than the Defence Services can open this account only from 55.
→ Once you are 60 you can open one without these conditions.
Sources: 1, 3
This route does not apply to your situation
Defence Services retirees can open this account only from 50.
→ Once you are 60 you can open one without these conditions.
Sources: 1, 3
This route does not apply to your situation
Under 60, the account must be opened within three months of receiving the retirement benefits, and that time has passed.
→ Once you are 60 you can open one without these conditions.
Sources: 3, 4
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
We take the three-month limit to apply to you too, and by that it has passed. But the rule does not say so in plain words for your case. Ask at the post office or bank before you give up.
→ Once you are 60 you can open one without these conditions.
Sources: 3
We could not confirm whether this applies to you
We take the three-month limit to apply to you too, and by that it has passed. But the rule does not say so in plain words for your case. Ask at the post office or bank before you give up.
→ Once you are 60 you can open one without these conditions.
Sources: 3
2Documents you need
Tick the ones you have. They are kept in this browser.
Details
If you don't have it: Ask for it at the post office or bank.
Sources: 1, 4
Details
What the photo must look like- It must be recent.
Not confirmed: The rules say only "a recent passport size photograph"; they give no size or background colour. Ask at the post office or bank.
One of each person opening the account; it is pasted on the application.
Sources: 6, 1
Details
If you do not have Aadhaar yet, proof that you applied for enrolment is accepted; then give the number within six months, or the account stops working until you do.
Sources: 7, 1
Details
Without PAN, Form 60 of the Income Tax Rules. But once the balance is over ₹50,000, you must give your PAN within two months, or the account stops working until you do.
Sources: 7, 1
Details
A certificate showing your date of birth. The application asks for its number, date of issue and issuing authority.
Not confirmed: The scheme does not list which documents count as proof of date of birth. Ask at the post office or bank.
Sources: 1
Details
Any of: passport, driving licence, voter ID card, NREGA job card signed by a State Government officer, or a National Population Register letter with your name and address.
Sources: 1
Details
If you don't have it: Available at the post office counter.
Sources: 4, 6
Details
Sources: 3, 4
Details
It must show the details of the retirement, the retirement benefits (or, for an employee who died in service, the financial help given), the post held and how long the person worked there.
If you don't have it: Get it from the office where the person worked.
Sources: 3, 4
Details
The application asks for these as the second account holder.
Sources: 1, 7
Details
Sources: 1
Nothing to get ready before these steps.
- Passbook or deposit receipt ·
3Your steps
· Do them in order. Tick each one when it is done.
- Do this now
Go in person to a post office, or to a bank branch that runs the scheme.
Say you want a Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme (SCSS) account.
Not confirmed
The scheme's application is addressed to a "Post Office/Bank", but we found no current official list of the banks that run the scheme. Ask at your bank branch.
Sources: 1, 6, 4
- Do this nowIf: 60 or olderIf: In my name alone
If you are 60 or older and your post office savings account has internet banking, you can also open an account in your name alone online: log in and choose 'General Services' → 'Service Requests' → 'New Requests' → 'SCSS Accounts - Open a SCSS Account'.
Enter the amount, pay from your savings account and submit with your transaction password; download the deposit receipt. The nominees of your savings account are registered for this account too. Joint accounts with your husband or wife, and accounts of people under 60, must be opened at the post office.
Open the official pageNot confirmed
These menu names are from a 2023 order; the screens may name them a little differently now. If you have no internet banking, ask your post office how to get it.
Sources: 8, 9, 6
- Do this now
Fill in Form-1, paste your photograph and hand it in with the documents.
Give your mobile number and name your nominees (up to four). If you already have SCSS accounts, the application asks for their details. If you cannot read or write, or cannot see, go yourself with a person known to the post office or bank, so that your signature or thumb impression can be verified there. Its officer helps someone who cannot read to fill in the form; someone who cannot see may authorise a person who can read to operate the account. These rules count you as an NRI if you are not a 'resident' under the Income Tax Act, even if you are in India now (Government Savings Promotion General Rules 2018, rule 3(1)(g)). If you have recently come back from abroad, check your tax residence before you open the account: the form has you declare that you are a resident citizen of India. The income-tax law counts you as resident for a tax year (1 April to 31 March) if you are in India for 182 days or more in that year, or for 60 days or more in that year and 365 days or more in the four years before it (Income-tax Act, 2025, section 6(2)). It has other conditions too, for citizens who left for a job abroad, citizens on a visit to India and some people with income above ₹15 lakh; if you are not sure, check the Income Tax Department's page on non-residents.
Sources: 1, 6, 7, 4, 13, 14
- Do this nowIf: I have retired from my job (on reaching the age, voluntarily or otherwise) / I retired from the Defence Services (Army, Navy or Air Force), not as a civilian employee / My husband or wife was a government employee who died in service at 50 or older
Attach the proof of the date the retirement benefits were paid and the certificate from the employer.
The deposit cannot be more than the retirement benefits you received (and the ₹30 lakh limit also applies).
Not confirmed
The cap at the retirement benefits received is stated for people of 55 to 59 who have retired; ask whether it also applies to Defence retirees and to the spouse of an employee who died in service.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
- Do this nowIf: Jointly with my husband or wife
A joint account can only be with your husband or wife.
Eligibility goes by the first holder's age; there is no age limit for the second. The whole deposit counts as the first holder's. If both of you are eligible on your own, each can also open an account in their own name, up to ₹30 lakh in each. Your husband or wife must also be an Indian citizen resident in India: in Form-1 both of you declare it. If either of you later becomes an NRI, the account runs only until it matures and is not extended; if either of you stops being an Indian citizen, the account counts as closed (Government Savings Promotion General Rules 2018, rules 4(3), 4(4)).
Sources: 1, 2, 4, 6
- Do this now
You make only one deposit in the account: at least ₹1,000, in multiples of ₹1,000.
All your SCSS accounts together cannot hold more than ₹30 lakh. You can pay in cash, by crossed cheque, demand draft or pay order, from your savings account in the same post office, or by electronic transfer. With a cheque, the deposit date is the day the cheque is cleared. Anything over the limit is refunded at once and earns only savings-account interest.
Not confirmed
The 2019 scheme and the 2018 rules accept cash; we found no separate cash limit for SCSS in them. Before taking a large amount in cash, ask the post office or bank.
Sources: 1, 2, 6, 4
- Do this now
Once the account is open, collect the passbook (or deposit receipt) and keep it safe.
You need it to close the account.
Sources: 1
- Do this now
Interest is paid every quarter, on the first working day of April, July, October and January.
From 1 October to 31 December 2026 the rate is 8.2% a year, that is ₹205 a quarter for every ₹10,000. The Finance Ministry announces the rates for each quarter; this rate is for the quarter ending 31 December 2026, so check the figure after that. Give the form to have it paid straight into your savings account. Interest you do not collect earns no further interest, but you can collect it any time later. If the interest on all your accounts together goes over the set limit in a financial year, tax (TDS) is deducted, unless you give Form 15G or 15H where it applies to you.
Not confirmed
The rules we read do not say in so many words that the rate on the day you open the account stays for all five years. When you open it, ask which rate applies to your account and check the passbook. On 1 November 2026 India Post's table was still headed July–September 2026; the Finance Ministry's order of 30 September 2026 says the October–December rates are unchanged. The Income-tax Act, 2025 (section 393(1), Table, Sl. No. 5(ii)) sets this limit, for interest a post office pays on a deposit under a notified scheme or a bank pays: ₹1,00,000 in a tax year for a person of 60 or older, ₹50,000 for others. We have not seen the notification that names this scheme under that entry. The declaration that stops the deduction is the one under section 393(6); India Post's page still calls it Form 15G/15H. We have not seen the Income-tax Rules, 2026, which set the form of that declaration. Ask the post office which form it takes now.
Sources: 1, 4, 5, 13
- Do this now
After five years, give Form-3 with the passbook to collect the money.
You can ask for it to be put into your savings account, or paid by cheque or draft. A matured account that is neither closed nor extended earns only savings-account interest. After closing, you may open a new account again, within the limit.
Sources: 1, 3, 4
- Do this now
To extend the account by three more years, give Form-4 within one year of maturity.
You can extend again, three years at a time, within one year of the end of each three-year block. Whenever you apply, the extension counts from the maturity date, or from the day the earlier block ended. The extended account earns the rate in force on that date. If you close it within a year of an extension, 1% of the deposit is deducted; after a year, nothing is deducted.
Sources: 1, 3, 4
- Do this now
If you need the money before maturity, give Form-2 to close the account.
Part withdrawals are not allowed. Closed within one year, the interest already paid is taken back from the deposit. Between one and two years, 1.5% of the deposit is deducted. After two years, 1% is deducted.
Sources: 1, 3, 4
- Do this now
If the account holder dies, the nominee or legal heirs give Form-3 to claim the money.
Scheme interest is paid up to the date of death, then savings-account interest. In a joint account, or where the husband or wife is the only nominee, they may apply to continue the same account if they are eligible themselves. But if the two of you each had your own separate accounts, the account of the one who died cannot be continued; it is closed.
Sources: 1, 3, 4
If something goes wrong
If it is rejectedIf the post office refuses to open the account, ask the postmaster why.
If the post office refuses to open the account, ask the postmaster why. Then complain to India Post: on its website, at any post office, or to the call centre on 1800 266 6868 (8 AM to 8 PM, except gazetted holidays).
India Post complaints · Open the official page
Sources: 10
If it is lateFor delays, such as interest not credited or the money from a closed account not paid, complain to India Post after the time set for that service has passed and within 60 days of the transaction.
For delays, such as interest not credited or the money from a closed account not paid, complain to India Post after the time set for that service has passed and within 60 days of the transaction. If it is not settled in reasonable time, contact the Telangana Circle Nodal Officer: pgco.tl@indiapost.gov.in, 70131 37704. If still not settled, you can complain on the website of the Directorate of Public Grievances (DPG), Government of India, dpg.gov.in.
India Post: Telangana Circle Nodal Officer · Open the official page
Sources: 10
AlsoFor a problem with an account opened at a bank, first complain to the bank.
For a problem with an account opened at a bank, first complain to the bank. If there is no reply in 30 days, or you are not satisfied, complain free of charge to the RBI Ombudsman on cms.rbi.org.in (within 90 days after that). On 14448 they explain how to complain, in Telugu too.
RBI Ombudsman (CMS portal) · Open the official page
Sources: 11
Official websites for this work
- India Post Savings schemes and complaints
- RBI Ombudsman Complain about a bank
Related guides
The 14 official pages and papers this guide is written from
- Senior Citizens' Savings Scheme, 2019 (G.S.R. 916(E), 12 December 2019), as published by India PostDepartment of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Paras 3 (who may open, Form-1; joint account with the spouse, first holder's age, deposit attributed to the first holder; both spouses), 4 (one deposit, ₹1,000 and multiples; retirement benefits; excess refunded), 5 (interest every quarter, first working day of April/July/October/January; credit to a savings account; unclaimed interest; savings-account rate on excess or matured deposits), 6 (premature closure, Form-2; 1.5% and 1%; no part withdrawals), 7 (closure, Form-3; death of the holder; spouse may continue; 7(3): where both spouses hold separate accounts, the deceased's account is not continued and is closed), 8 (extension, Form-4); 9 (the General Rules apply); Forms 1–4 (Form-1: declaration that the holders are resident citizens of India and will report any change; Form-4, item 3: still resident citizens when the account is extended) (12-12-2019) · read on 30-10-2026
- Senior Citizens' Savings (Amendment) Scheme, 2023 (G.S.R. 240(E), 31 March 2023), circulated by the Department of Posts with SB Order No. 06/2023Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Paras 2 and 3: "fifteen lakh" replaced by "thirty lakh" in paras 3(7) and 4(1) of the Scheme (31-03-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- Senior Citizen's Savings (Fourth Amendment) Scheme, 2023 (G.S.R. 829(E), 7 November 2023), circulated by the Department of Posts with SB Order No. 22/2023 (14 November 2023)Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Para 2 (I) (a) new para 6(1)(iv) (1% deducted if closed within a year of extension); (b) 1: para 3(1)(ii) (three months from receipt of retirement benefits; employer's certificate; Defence retirees at 50; spouse of a government employee who died in harness at 50 or more); 2: explanation under para 4 (retirement benefits); 3: para 5(7) (rate on the date of maturity or extended maturity); 4: para 7(1) (payment after five years or each block of three years; new accounts after closure); 5: para 7(2) (spouse continues by applying); 6–8: para 8 (extension in blocks of three years, each deemed from the date of maturity or from the end of the earlier block, whatever the date of application) (14-11-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- India Post: Saving Schemes (Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Account details, FAQs, interest table)Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, "View details of Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Account (SCSS)": Eligibility, Deposit Limits, Interest (quarterly credit; auto-credit or ECS; TDS if total interest exceeds the prescribed limit in a financial year unless Form 15G/15H is submitted), Premature Closure, Extension of Account, Closure of Account; FAQ "How to open an account in post office and its requirements?" (Account Opening Form with KYC documents and deposit slip SB 103); FAQ on minimum balances (SCSS ₹1,000); FAQ on auto credit of interest; card "Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Account (SCSS)", 8.2% per annum; table "Post Office Small Savings Schemes (w.e.f 01.07.2026 to 30.09.2026)" (SCSS 8.2%, quarterly interest ₹205 for ₹10,000; still headed for the second quarter on 1 November 2026) · read on 01-11-2026
- Office Memorandum F.No.1/4/2019-NS: revision of interest rates for Small Savings Schemes, third quarter of FY 2026-27 (scanned; read by OCR)Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Para 1: rates for 1 October to 31 December 2026 unchanged from the second quarter (1 July to 30 September 2026) (30-09-2026) · read on 01-11-2026
- Government Savings Promotion General Rules, 2018 (G.S.R. 1003(E), 5 October 2018), as published by India PostDepartment of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Rules 3(1)(g) (Non-resident Indian), 4(1), (3) and (4) (resident citizens only; a depositor who becomes an NRI; one who ceases to be a citizen), 5(1) (opening in person or through internet or mobile banking), 5(2) (Form 1, a recent passport size photograph, the deposit with a pay-in-slip, identity documents), 5(3)–(4) (an illiterate, blind or visually challenged depositor visits in person with a person known to the Accounts Office for authentication of the signature or thumb impression; a blind or visually challenged depositor may authorise a literate person to operate the account; the Authorised Officer assists an illiterate depositor in opening and operating the account), 7 (modes of deposit: cash, crossed cheque, demand draft or pay order, withdrawal form of a savings account in the same office, electronic transfer; a cheque counts from the date it is realised), 9(4)–(5) (interest after becoming an NRI or ceasing to be a citizen) (05-10-2018) · read on 01-11-2026
- Government Savings Promotion General (Amendment) Rules, 2023 (G.S.R. 238(E), 31 March 2023), circulated with SB Order No. 08/2023Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, New rule 6(1): Aadhaar number (or proof of enrolment, number within six months); PAN or Form 60, PAN within two months once the balance exceeds ₹50,000 (among other events) (31-03-2023) · read on 30-10-2026
- SB Order No. 20/2023: opening of MIS, SCSS and MSSC accounts through DOP Internet BankingDepartment of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, Paras 2 (from 20.10.2023; 'General Services', 'Service Requests', 'New Requests', 'SCSS Accounts - Open a SCSS Account'; deposit amount, debit from the linked post office savings account, transaction password, deposit receipt; notes (ii) single accounts only, nominees of the linked savings account registered; (iii) only depositors aged 60 or above, others eligible below 60 at the post office) and 3 (closure online to come later) (26-10-2023) · read on 01-11-2026
- India Post: Net BankingDepartment of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, "Go to Net Banking" link to ebanking.indiapost.gov.in · read on 01-11-2026
- India Post: Guidelines for Registration of Complaints (last updated 30.10.2026)Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, Guidelines: online, at a post office (acknowledgement), call centre 18002666868 (8 AM to 8 PM except gazetted holidays), after the service delivery norm and within 60 days of the transaction, Circle Nodal Officer, DPG; Annexure B, row 20: Telangana Circle Nodal Officer, pgco.tl@indiapost.gov.in, 7013137704 (30-10-2026) · read on 01-11-2026
- Frequently asked questions: Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026Reserve Bank of India, Cost-free scheme in force from 1 July 2026; complain to the bank first, then to the RBI Ombudsman after 30 days or an unsatisfactory reply, within 90 days; contact centre 14448 (IVRS 24x7; staff 8 AM to 10 PM, Monday to Saturday, Telugu among the languages) (01-07-2026) · read on 30-10-2026
- Notification S.O. 1050(E), 4 March 2021: rights of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3(ii), No. 962)Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Rights (1)–(4); right (5) (in all other economic, financial and educational fields not named, the same rights and privileges as a foreigner); Explanation (1) (an OCI cardholder is a foreign national holding a foreign passport and is not a citizen of India) (04-03-2021) · read on 30-10-2026
- The Income-tax Act, 2025 (No. 30 of 2025)Parliament of India; Gazette of India, Sections 2(100) (senior citizen: an individual resident in India aged sixty or more at any time in the tax year), 3(1) (tax year), 6(2) to 6(7) (residence of an individual), 393(1), Table, Sl. No. 5(ii) (tax deducted at source from interest other than interest on securities paid by a banking company, a co-operative bank, or a post office for a deposit under a scheme notified by the Central Government; threshold ₹1,00,000 for a senior citizen, ₹50,000 for others) and 393(6) with its Table, Sl. No. 1(e) (no deduction where a resident individual gives a written declaration in the prescribed form) (21-08-2025) · read on 10-11-2026
- Non Resident FAQs (e-filing portal)Income Tax Department, Government of India, Questions 1 to 5, 7 and 10 (the conditions are those of section 6(1) of the 1961 Act; residence is assessed for each tax year) · read on 10-11-2026