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Double your money in 8.7 years without any risk

Last updated on: July 16, 2010 10:04 IST

Kisan Vikas Patra or KVP is one of the many fixed income financial products offered by the Indian Post Office department. It is a fixed income instrument that offers to double the investment in 8.7 years. Anyone wishing to invest their money at a safe place can invest in KVP. InvestmentYogi looks at its prominent features.


Risk: No risk involved as investment is guaranteed by the government of India.

Rate of return: A rate of 8 per cent per annum is offered at present. The interest on KVP is compounded half-yearly. However, with an effective rate of return of 8.41 per cent per annum, KVP does not safeguard one's investment against high inflation.

Minimum investment: The minimum investment in KVP is Rs 500. Fresh purchase or additions can be made in denominations of Rs 100, Rs 500, Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000.

Maximum investment: There is no upper limit for investment in KVP.

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The author is a certified financial planner.

Is premature withdrawal allowed?

Last updated on: July 16, 2010 10:04 IST

Yes. Encashment of the KVP before maturity is possible but only 2.5 years from the opening of the account. However, one may have to forgo some part of the interest income in case of pre-mature withdrawal. There are 3 scenarios:

1. If pre-mature withdrawal takes place before one year from the date of purchase of the certificate only the face value (but no interest) of the certificate shall be payable.

2. If pre-mature withdrawal takes place between one year and two-and-a-half years from the date of the issue of the certificate, the face value of the certificate together with simple interest (at the specified rate) for the completed number of months for which the certificate has been held, shall be payable.   

3. If pre-mature withdrawal takes place after two-and-a-half years, the amount payable is as specified by the government from time to time.

How to buy?

KVP can be purchased at any of the post offices in India. One can buy through cash, demand draft, or local cheques.

Who is eligible to invest?

Last updated on: July 16, 2010 10:04 IST

Individuals in their own name or on behalf of a minor; two individuals can jointly open a KVP account. There is a further classification when the certificate is issued to joint holders:

Type 'A': Maturity is payable to both the holders or the survivor.
Type 'B': Maturity is payable to either or survivor.

NRIs and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) cannot invest in KVP.

Who should invest?

Senior citizens (who do not have taxable income) and those who are risk-averse/conservative but still aim to create wealth over a period of time may consider investing in KVP.

Taxability

No tax benefits for amount invested as well as interest income earned. However, there is no TDS for KVP investment. KVP is also exempt from wealth tax.

With respect to taxability, banks' 5-year tax-saver deposits are a better option than KVP as they are allowed as deduction under SEC 80C of Income Tax Act, 1961 to the extent of Rs 1 lakh per annum.

Other features of KVP

Last updated on: July 16, 2010 10:04 IST

Conclusion

KVP is one of the safest investments and offers considerable liquidity to the investor. Although it does not enjoy much tax benefits, investing in KVP makes sense when the interest rates on bank deposits are low (such as the current scenario). However, one must invest as per one's risk profile and investment horizon and not be carried away by the percentage of returns offered.

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