Top 10 Fixed Deposit Schemes for 2025: Get Up to 9% Returns on Your Investment

The sweet spot for many investors is blending safety, liquidity, and yield through laddering across 12–60 months, instead of chasing one peak rate and getting stuck with poor flexibility later.

by Praveen Singh

Published On: October 17, 2025

If you’re hunting for steady, low-risk returns this year, fixed deposits are delivering again with select small finance banks and reputed NBFCs offering headline rates in the 8–9% zone on specific tenors, while top private banks hover in the 7–7.5% bcand for most buckets. The sweet spot for many investors is blending safety, liquidity, and yield through laddering across 12–60 months, instead of chasing one peak rate and getting stuck with poor flexibility later.

The FD interest rates in 2025 captures what most savers want to know right now who’s paying the most, for how long, and what the trade-offs look like between small finance banks, private banks, and corporate FDs from NBFCs this season. Small finance banks such as Suryoday and Jana are posting up to 8.2% for general citizens on select tenors, while private banks like RBL, Bandhan, and DCB top out around 7.2% in their special windows, and NBFCs such as Shriram and Bajaj Finance list competitive slabs near 7.25–7.60% with multiple payout options for income planning.

Top 10 Fixed Deposit Schemes for 2025

Bank/NBFC	Peak Rate	Best Tenor	1-Year	3-Year	5-Year	Senior Add-On Note
Suryoday Small Finance Bank	8.20%	5 Years	7.40%	7.25%	8.20%	Seniors typically get extra basis points; verify grid at booking
Jana Small Finance Bank	8.00%	5 Years	7.25%	7.50%	8.00%	Senior uplift varies by slab and tenor
Slice Small Finance Bank	7.75%	18m 1d–18m 2d	6.25%	7.50%	7.00%	Senior increment generally available across buckets
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank	7.65%	2–3 Years	6.00%	7.65%	7.25%	Senior rates differ by window; check live rates
ESAF Small Finance Bank	7.60%	444 Days	4.75%	6.00%	5.75%	Special tenor may carry separate senior grid
RBL Bank	7.20%	18m–3y	7.00%	7.20%	6.70%	Senior add-on over card rates applicable
Bandhan Bank	7.20%	2y To <3y	7.00%	7.00%	5.85%	Seniors receive higher than general rates
DCB Bank	7.20%	27–28m; 60–61m	6.90%	7.00%	7.00%	Senior and Senior Plus tiers exist on some cards
Bajaj Finance (NBFC FD)	Up To 7.30%	Product-Specific	Product-Specific	Product-Specific	Up To 7.30%	Corporate FD; senior add-ons per plan
Shriram Finance (NBFC FD)	Up To 7.60%	36–60 Months	7.00%	7.25%	7.60%	Non-cumulative monthly/quarterly options available

Why Fixed Deposits Still Shine In 2025

Rates remain historically attractive, with several small finance banks offering 7.6–8.2% for general citizens on select tenors, which is compelling for low-volatility portfolios focused on certainty of outcomes.
FD interest rates in 2025 also benefit retirees and income-seekers through senior citizen add-ons that typically add 0.25–0.75% over the card rate, improving post-tax outcomes when combined with smart tenor selection.
NBFCs provide competitive corporate FDs with multiple payout frequencies ideal for cash-flow planning, though investors should review credit ratings and early exit terms before allocating.

Top 10 Fixed Deposit Schemes For 2025

Suryoday Small Finance Bank 5-Year At 8.20%: A strong anchor for those comfortable with SFBs who want to lock high yields for longer without market risk.
Jana Small Finance Bank 5-Year At 8.00%: Solid long-tenor choice, with supportive 1-year 7.25% and 3-year 7.5% slabs for laddering inside one bank.
Slice Small Finance Bank 18m 1d–18m 2d At 7.75%: A short-to-mid sweet spot for investors who want better-than-1-year rates without committing to 3–5 years.
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank 2–3 Years At 7.65%: Good mid-duration rate for those balancing yield with flexibility across the cycle.
ESAF Small Finance Bank 444 Days At 7.60%: Useful near-15-month option for parking surplus funds at a premium to standard 1-year slabs.
RBL Bank 18 Months To 3 Years Up To 7.20%: Private bank alternative for brand-focused investors seeking decent mid-term yields.
Bandhan Bank 2 To Under 3 Years At 7.20%: Fits well into diversified ladders that privilege liquidity and recognized banking brands.
DCB Bank 27–28 Months Or 60–61 Months At 7.20%: Flexible special windows for either mid or extended tenor preferences in a private bank.
Bajaj Finance FD Up To 7.30%: Corporate FD with digital convenience and multiple payout modes; suitable as a measured satellite allocation.
Shriram Finance Unnati Up To 7.60%: Wider 36–60 month slabs with cumulative and non-cumulative options for income planning.

Fd Interest Rates In 2025: Banks Vs SFBs Vs NBFCs

Small Finance Banks: Generally top the charts this year with 7.6–8.2% for general citizens on chosen windows; ensure comfort with issuer and diversify across banks for DICGC coverage.
Private Banks: Cap out around 7.2% at special tenors, trading a bit of yield for brand strength, digital journeys, and widespread service networks.
NBFC Corporate FDs: Attractive 7.0–7.6% bands with flexible payouts; check live credit ratings, renewal policies, and premature withdrawal clauses before investing.

How To Build An FD Ladder In 2025

Conservative Approach: Split across 1-year (about 7%), 2–3 years (about 7.2%), and a 5-year SFB (about 8–8.2%) to lock a high anchor while preserving annual liquidity points.
Yield-Focused Approach: Prioritize SFB buckets at 7.65–8.2% for 2–5 years and complement with 18–36 month private bank windows around 7–7.2% to keep optionality if cycles turn.
Senior Income Approach: Use non-cumulative monthly or quarterly payouts across 3–5 year tenors in SFBs or private banks, adding some 12–18 month exposure for near-term cash needs.

Taxation, Safety, And Fine Print To Check

Interest from FDs is taxable as per slab; consider 5-year tax-saving FDs for Section 80C but note the lock-in and typically lower headline rates versus peak tenors.
Scheduled banks, including most SFBs, come under DICGC insurance up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank; spreading across issuers optimizes coverage for larger ticket sizes.
For corporate FDs, DICGC does not apply; rely on credit ratings, issuer financials, and clear understanding of early exit terms and payout frequencies.

What About Big Names Like SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank

HDFC Bank: Sticks to mainstream ranges below SFB peaks, with strong digital booking and premature withdrawal options that many value for convenience and service.
ICICI Bank: Maintains competitive yet conservative cards versus SFBs; useful for depositors prioritizing ecosystem benefits like overdraft against FD and auto-renewal.
Across large banks, FD interest rates in 2025 remain lower than SFB peaks, but brand comfort and network support can justify the trade-off for many investors.

FD interest rates in 2025 are attractive enough to lock meaningful yields, but the smarter approach is a ladder that mixes SFBs for peak rates, private banks for stability, and a measured allocation to corporate FDs for payout flexibility and diversification. Match tenor to goals, verify live rates on booking day, and account for tax treatment and insurance coverage while shortlisting the best fixed deposit schemes this year.

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FAQs on Top 10 Fixed Deposit Schemes for 2025

What Is the Highest FD Interest Rate In 2025 Right Now?

Among scheduled banks, select small finance banks are showing up to about 8.2% for general citizens on special tenors, while corporate FDs from reputed NBFCs go up to roughly 7.6% on common slabs; always confirm live grids before booking.

Are Small Finance Bank FDs Safe?

SFBs are RBI-regulated and, when scheduled, fall under DICGC cover up to ₹5 lakh per depositor per bank; as with any bank, diversify issuers and check current rate cards and terms.

Should Seniors Choose Cumulative or Monthly Payout?

For income needs, non-cumulative monthly or quarterly payouts help match expenses; if growth is the goal, cumulative options compound better at the same card rate.