National Savings Certificate (NSC)

Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Interest Paid: 8%, compounded half-yearly

Interest Paid: 8%, compounded annually

No monthly/yearly payments

No monthly/yearly payments

Minimum investment: Rs 100

Maximum investment: No Limit

Minimum investment: Rs 500 (required annually)

Maximum investment: Rs 70,000

Duration of investment: 6 years

Duration of investment: 15 years

Can be used as a security for mortgage and other purposes

Cannot be used for such purposes

Tax benefit under Section 80 'C' available.

Maximum limit: Rs 100,000

Tax benefit under Section 80 'C' available.

Maximum limit: Rs 70,000 (limit of the investment in PPF)

Good medium-term investment option

Good long-term investment option