Updated 2026-06-13

₹500/Month RD for 3 Years: Real Returns

Saving ₹500 every month in a recurring deposit feels disciplined and safe. But what do you actually end up with after tax and inflation? RD interest is taxed at your income slab: here's the full picture: total deposited, maturity, what you keep at the 0%, 5%, 20%, and 30% slabs, and real (inflation-adjusted) value.

Metric	Amount
Monthly Installment	₹500
Total Deposited	₹18,000
Maturity (6.5%, pre-tax)	₹19,912
Total Interest	₹1,912

Your Tax Slab	Tax on Interest	Post-Tax Maturity	Real Value (6% inflation)
No tax (income ≤ ₹12L / Form 15G)	:	₹19,912	₹16,718
5% (typical)	−₹96	₹19,816	₹16,638
20%	−₹382	₹19,530	₹16,398
30%	−₹574	₹19,338	₹16,237

What You Put In vs What You Get

₹500/month RD for 3 Years. For a dated expense such as a car, course, or wedding, work backwards from the amount required. The RD supplies a saving schedule, but you still need to check that the monthly instalment and projected maturity cover the goal.

Over 3 years you deposit ₹18,000 (₹500 × 36 months). At 6.5% the RD matures to ₹19,912, so interest adds ₹1,912. RD interest is taxed at your slab: at a 5% slab, tax of ₹96 leaves you ₹19,816, and if your total income is within the ₹12 lakh rebate limit you keep the full amount. Use the slab table above for your own bracket.

The Real-Value Reality

₹19,816 in 3 years is not ₹19,816 of today's money. After 6% inflation it buys roughly ₹16,638 in today's terms. RD protects your capital nominally, but higher-slab savers barely outpace inflation: the "safe" choice quietly erodes purchasing power.

When RD Makes Sense

Forced monthly savings. If a fixed auto-debit is the only way you save, RD builds the habit.
Very short horizons. For a 1–2 year goal you can't risk, capital safety beats real growth.
Lower tax slabs. Within the ₹12L rebate you keep the full maturity; at 5% or 20% you keep far more than the 30% figure.
Long-term goals → consider SIP. For 5+ year goals, equity SIPs have preserved real value far better.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will a ₹500/month RD give in 3 years?

At 6.5% p.a. compounded quarterly, depositing ₹500/month for 3 years means you put in ₹18,000 and the RD matures to ₹19,912: ₹1,912 of interest. RD interest is taxed at your slab, so what you keep depends on your bracket: the full ₹19,912 if your total income stays within the new regime's ₹12 lakh rebate limit, about ₹19,816 at the 5% slab, ₹19,530 at 20%, and ₹19,338 at 30%.

Is RD interest taxable?

Yes. RD interest is fully taxable at your income tax slab, just like FD. TDS applies once annual interest crosses ₹50,000 (₹1,00,000 for senior citizens), but you owe tax at your full slab regardless. Under the new regime, if your total taxable income: including this interest: stays within ₹12 lakh, the Section 87A rebate brings your tax to zero. Form 15G (or Form 15H for senior citizens) stops TDS if your income is below the taxable limit.

What is the real value of a ₹500/month RD after 3 years?

At a 5% slab the post-tax maturity of ₹19,816 has the purchasing power of about ₹16,638 in today's money after 6% inflation. RD is disciplined saving, but at higher slabs it barely keeps pace with inflation: use the slab table to find your own bracket.

Is RD or SIP better for ₹500/month?

RD gives a guaranteed 6.5% but loses to inflation after tax. The same ₹500/month in an equity SIP has historically returned ~12%, building far more over 3+ years, with short-term volatility. RD suits very short horizons or zero-risk needs; SIP suits long-term wealth.

Try it yourself → RD Calculator