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Government Bonds vs FD — which safe option pays more?

Both are considered low-risk, but government bonds and bank FDs differ in tenure options, liquidity, and how interest is taxed. Compare both on the same amount and horizon.

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Government Bonds vs FD Calculator7-year comparison

Opens Compare Lab pre-loaded with both, in your own currency — adjust any input and the chart updates instantly.

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How each one actually works
Government Bonds

Debt issued by the government, paying a fixed coupon over a set tenure, backed by sovereign credit.

PROS
Among the lowest-risk investments available — sovereign backing
Predictable, fixed coupon income
Tenure options span from a few years to several decades
CONS
Coupon interest is typically taxable at your slab rate
Real (inflation-adjusted) return can be thin
Selling before maturity depends on prevailing rates and market liquidity

Best for: The safest portion of a fixed-income allocation, especially for capital you want protected above all else.

Fixed Deposit (FD)

A lump sum deposited with a bank for a fixed tenure at a fixed, guaranteed interest rate.

PROS
Fully guaranteed return — no market risk
Predictable maturity value known upfront
Widely available and simple to open
CONS
Interest is fully taxable at your slab rate every year it accrues
Return is capped — no upside beyond the fixed rate
Early withdrawal usually triggers a penalty

Best for: Capital you can't afford to risk — an emergency fund, or a short-term goal within a couple of years.

Questions
Are government bonds safer than FDs?

Both are considered low-risk. Government bonds carry sovereign backing; bank FDs in India are insured only up to a limit (₹5 lakh per depositor per bank under DICGC) — worth checking if your FD amount exceeds that.

Where do these numbers actually come from?

The same calculation engine that powers our standalone calculators and Compare Lab — nothing here is a separate or simplified estimate. Every assumption (rate, tenure, tax) is visible and adjustable once you open the comparison with your own numbers.

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All figures are illustrative projections based on the assumptions you select, not guaranteed returns. Validate tax and scheme rules before making financial decisions.