Schemes

National Savings Certificates

National Savings Certificates are government-backed investment schemes by CDNS, offering secure short and long-term savings with profit rates set by the Government of Pakistan.

Five certificates

Choose a tenure that suits your investment goals.

Long-term · Compounded

Defence Savings Certificates

Maturity10 years
Profit paymentAt maturity
MinimumRs. 500
Launched1966

Built for investors who want maximum benefit from their long-term savings. Profit accumulates and is paid out at maturity, making it ideal for goals that are a decade away.

Full rules & eligibility

Eligibility: Pakistani nationals — single, joint or in the name of a minor through a guardian.
Required documents:
Adult Pakistanis: CNIC copy
Overseas Pakistanis: NICOP or POC copy
Minors: Form B / CRC issued by NADRA
Applications can be submitted at any National Savings Centre (NSC) using the free DA-I form.
Profit: Compounded annually; rate fixed at issuance for the full tenor.
For rates click HERE
Encashment: Allowed any time after 1 year. Earlier encashment forfeits profit.
Tax & Zakat:
Filers : 15% withholding tax on profit
Non-Filers: 30% withholding tax on profit
Zakat: Deducted at source as per applicable rules.
Where to buy: DSCs can be purchased from any National Savings Centre (NSC), authorized bank branch, or the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) by submitting the free SC-I application form.

For seniors & widows

Behbood Savings Certificates

Maturity10 years
Profit paymentMonthly
MinimumRs. 5,000
Launched2003

A welfare-focused certificate that pays a higher monthly profit, helping widows, senior citizens and persons with disabilities maintain a steady income stream.

Full rules & eligibility

Eligibility: Widows, senior citizens aged 60+, and persons with disabilities (CNIC required).
Investment cap:
Minimum Investment: Rs. 5,000
Maximum Investment:
Single Investor: Rs. 7.5 million
Joint Investor: Rs. 15 million
Profit: Paid every month into your designated bank account.
For rates click HERE
Tax & Zakat:Profit earned on BSCs is exempt from withholding tax and Zakat deduction.
Where to buy: BSCs can be purchased from National Savings Centres (NSCs) by submitting the free SC-1 application form.

Mid-term · Monthly income

Regular Income Certificates

Maturity5 years
Profit paymentMonthly
MinimumRs. 50,000
Launched1993

Designed for the general public who need regular monthly cash flow. Profit is credited every month for the full five-year tenor.

Full rules & eligibility

Eligibility:
RICs can be purchased by Pakistani nationals and Overseas Pakistanis as:
Single adult or minor
Two adults jointly (Joint-A or Joint-B)
An adult on behalf of a minor
Jointly by minors or with a minor.
Profit: Paid monthly. For rates click HERE
Encashment:
RICs can be encashed anytime after issuance, subject to service charges on early encashment:
Before 1 year: 2%
Before 2 years: 1.5%
Before 3 years: 1%
Before 4 years: 0.5%
No service charges apply after 4 years. Certificates purchased or reinvested on or after Nov 15, 2010 cannot be reinvested on maturity.
Tax & Zakat:
Filers: 15% withholding tax on profit
Non-Filers: 30% withholding tax on profit
Zakat: RIC investments are exempt from Zakat deduction.
Where to buy: RICs can be purchased from National Savings Centres (NSCs), authorized bank branches, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) using the free SC-1 application form.

Mid-term · Bi-annual

Special Savings Certificates

Maturity3 years
Profit paymentEvery 6 months
MinimumRs. 500
Launched1990

A flexible 3-year option for small and medium savers who prefer profit twice a year. Six profit coupons are paid across the tenor.

Full rules & eligibility

Eligibility: SSCs can be purchased by Pakistani nationals and Overseas Pakistanis as a single adult, minor, joint account holder (Joint-A or Joint-B), or on behalf of a minor.
Profit: Paid bi-annually.
For rates click HERE
Encashment:SSCs can be encashed at par anytime after purchase. No profit is paid before 6 months, and no service charges apply on encashment. Certificates purchased or reinvested on or after Nov 15, 2010 cannot be reinvested on maturity.
Tax & Zakat:
Filers (ATL): 15% withholding tax on profit
Non-Filers: 30% withholding tax on profit
Zakat: Deducted at source as per rules.
Where to buy: SSCs can be purchased from National Savings Centres (NSCs), authorized bank branches, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) using the free SC-1 application form.

Short-term · 3/6/12 months

Short Term Savings Certificates

Maturity3 / 6 / 12 mo
Profit paymentAt maturity
MinimumRs. 10,000
Launched2012

Save extra money for a short time with 3, 6, or 12-month tenors and receive your amount plus profit at maturity.

Full rules & eligibility

Eligibility: STSCs can be purchased by Pakistani nationals and Overseas Pakistanis as a single adult, minor, joint holder (Joint-A or Joint-B), or on behalf of a minor.
Encashment:STSCs can be encashed after one month from the issue date, while profit is paid on completion of the full maturity period..
Profit: Profit rate fixed at issuance and paid in lump sum on maturity.
For rates click HERE
Tax & Zakat:
Filers: 15% withholding tax on profit
Non-Filers: 30% withholding tax on profit
Zakat: STSC investments are exempt from Zakat deduction.
Where to buy: STSCs can be purchased from any National Savings Centre (NSC) using the free SC-1 application form.

At a glance

Compare all five certificates

Certificate	Maturity	Profit payment	Minimum	Best for
Defence (DSC)	10 years	At maturity	Rs. 500	Long-term wealth building
Behbood (BSC)	10 years	Monthly	Rs. 5,000	Seniors / widows / PWDs
Regular Income (RIC)	5 years	Monthly	Rs. 50,000	Steady monthly cash flow
Special (SSC)	3 years	Every 6 months	Rs. 500	Mid-term saving with payouts
Short Term (STSC)	3 / 6 / 12 mo	At maturity	Rs. 10,000	Parking surplus cash

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