Opening a recurring deposit (RD) account is a great way to save money and earn interest on it. It is a type of account where you can deposit a fixed amount regularly for a specific period and earn interest on the deposited amount. RD accounts are a popular investment instrument as they offer a relatively high rate of interest when compared to regular savings accounts.
While RDs are excellent for inculcating discipline and building a corpus over time, Fixed Deposit (FD) can be a better option if you have a lump sum to invest. FDs offer competitive interest rates for a fixed tenure and provide easy access to your money upon maturity.
Types of recurring deposit (RD)
- Regular recurring deposit account
As the name suggests, a regular recurring deposit account is a standard recurring deposit account where you deposit a fixed amount every month for a specific period. The minimum deposit amount usually ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 500, and the tenure of the deposit is usually between 6 months to 10 years. The interest rate on the deposit varies from one financial institution to another. - Senior citizen recurring deposit
Senior citizen recurring deposit is a type of recurring deposit account designed specifically for senior citizens. The minimum deposit amount and tenure of the deposit is the same as that of a regular RD, but the interest rate offered is higher. - RD account for minors
Recurring Deposit (RD) accounts are not just limited to adults, but minors can also open an RD account to save money. The process of opening an RD account for minors is similar to that of a regular RD account, except that the minor cannot operate the account independently. The parent or guardian can open and operate the account on behalf of the minor until the minor reaches the age of majority. - RD for NRI
Financial institutions also offer options for non-resident Indians to open recurring deposit accounts. NRIs can save money with small monthly investments while earning a reasonable rate of interest. They have the option to invest either through NRE or NRO accounts.
How to open recurring deposit account
Offline application
- Visit to the financial institution's branch where you have a savings account.
- Fill the recurring deposit (RD) application form, providing information like installment amount, payment mode, deposit tenure, nominee details, and other required information.
- Make the initial installment payment using a cheque or cash.
- The representative will process your application within the specified timeframe.
Online application
- Log in to your account using net banking or mobile app.
- Find and click on 'Open an e-RD Account' on the dashboard.
- Enter your account number, preferred instalment amount, and duration. Check the interest rate and choose a nominee.
- Agree to the terms and conditions by ticking the checkbox.
- Submit your application.
- You'll see a confirmation message, and an email with the RD receipt will be sent to your registered email address. The specified amount will be debited accordingly.